Man of Iron

An alcoholic radio journalist Winkel is ordered by the deputy chairman of the Radio Committee to investigate Maciek Tomczyk, a shipyard strike leader. He is sent to Gdańsk where authorities monitor him closely as he begins his inquiry. His assignment is to uncover compromising information about Tomczyk.

Tomczyk becomes a leading figure among the workers, coordinating protests against the Communist authorities. The strikers refuse Winkel access to the yard, making him an observer rather than an insider. The movement gains momentum as workers press for concessions and their rights.

The strikers keep Winkel out of the yard, but he meets Dzidek, a friend from Tomczyk's college days. Dzidek recounts how Tomczyk's father, Mateusz Birkut, prevented his son from joining student protests in March 1968. The meeting provides Winkel with crucial background on the family's history of dissent.

From another source, Tomczyk learns that his father, Mateusz Birkut, died during protests in December 1970. The revelation deepens his personal stake in the workers' cause and strengthens his resolve to lead with integrity. The discovery links his present activism to his father's legacy.

Winkel becomes increasingly sympathetic to the strikers' cause, yet he must continue his investigation under pressure from the authorities. He witnesses the workers' resolve and the police's pressure tactics, which challenges his objectivity. The dynamics blur the line between journalist and ally.

After his father's death, Tomczyk marries Agnieszka, whom he met while making a documentary about Birkut's celebrated career as a Stakhanovite. The marriage anchors his personal life to the ongoing labor movement. The couple's bond provides emotional support amid the turmoil.

Winkel visits Agnieszka, who is in police custody for supporting the strike. She describes their romance and marriage and their shared commitment to workers' rights. The confrontation highlights how personal lives are entangled with political struggle.

Agnieszka speaks about their relationship and how they fought for workers' rights alongside the union movement. She details the sacrifices they made and the impact of state repression on their family. Her testimony deepens Winkel's understanding of the human cost of the strike.

Despite being blackmailed by the secret police over a drunk-driving past, Winkel refuses to complete his assignment and resigns from his job. He chooses loyalty to the strikers over state pressure, signaling a moral pivot. His departure marks a turning point in his career.

Winkel is admitted to the shipyard, where he openly joins the strikers and participates in the solidarity. He witnesses the workers' unity and the risks they face under the regime. The journalist's alignment with the movement becomes tangible.

A government delegation reaches an agreement with Lech Wałęsa and the other strikers, signaling a potential shift in policy. The negotiation raises cautious hope while critics warn that concessions may be fragile or reversible. The moment marks a historic turning point in the labor conflict.

Agnieszka tears up as she reunites with Tomczyk during the public announcement of the deal. The moment personalizes the victory and underlines the stakes for families affected by the strike. Their reunion embodies the movement's human dimension.

A government official warns that the agreement is 'only a piece of paper,' underscoring skepticism about the concessions. The words temper the celebration and remind everyone that deeper political reform remains uncertain. The workers' resolve is tested as negotiations continue.

Tomczyk addresses his father's memorial and tells the crowd that the strikers have 'made it through the worst.' The line connects the present victory to Mateusz Birkut's legacy and reinforces the perseverance of the workers. The moment seals the film's message of resilience.