Battle of Westerplatte (2013): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2013, Battle of Westerplatte is a drama, war and history film directed by Pawel Chochlew. “The True Story of The Beginning of WWII” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. This harrowing war film is an epic dramatization of the first battle of World War II. The Battle of Westerplatte that began on 1 September 1939 will forever be remembered as the one that announced the beginning of the Second World War in Europe. Over one week, fewer than 200 Polish soldiers fought against heavy German bombardment and in the process came to symbolize the power of resistance. As the violence rages, a complex battle of a more personal nature plays out between two Polish commanders over how to best lead their men. Amid the bloodshed, they must ask themselves – should they fight until the last man standing or surrender in the face of overwhelming odds? What unfolds is a stirring exploration of the fight against the forces of tyranny.

Who’s in it. Battle of Westerplatte stars Michał Żebrowski as Stefan Ludwik Grodecki, Mirosław Baka, Jan Englert as Wincenty Sobocinski and Borys Szyc as Stefan Ludwik Grodecki, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.4/10, Battle of Westerplatte has proved divisive with audiences.

Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Battle of Westerplatte page.

If you liked it. Fans of Battle of Westerplatte tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.