Directed by:
Jaromil JirešCinematography:
Jan ČuříkComposer:
Zdeněk PololáníkCast:
Josef Somr, Jana Dítětová, Luděk Munzar, Jaroslava Obermaierová, Milan Švrčina, Miloš Rejchrt, Evald Schorm, Věra Křesadlová, Jaromír Hanzlík, Michal Pavlata (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
Ludvík Jahn returns to his native city after many years to meet the radio reporter Helena Zemánková, who plans to broadcast a story on a local traditional folk festival, Ludvík wants to have his revenge. Helena has no idea that Ludvík's interest in the meeting is not caused by her withering appeal but her husband's photograph which Ludvík spotted in her cigarette case. Fifteen years ago, Pavel Zemánek was Ludvík's faculty colleague, chairman of the faculty organization of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and also his best friend. At that time, Ludvík's colleague and love Markéta sent him from her training a letter full of swollen optimism and phrases. He sent her a reply on a postcard and closed his ironical message with the greeting "Long Live Trotsky!" His practical jokes, however, were not appreciated and, thanks to Pavel, Ludvík was expelled both from the party and the school and sent to military service with the so-called "Black Barons," Auxiliary Technical Battalions, then to military prison and finally for three year's work in the mines. Ludvík wants to have his revenge on the hated Pavel by seducing his wife. In a lent flat, Ludvík not too affectionately takes Helena into his power. When he learns that the Zemáneks marriage has been solely formal for many years already, he rejects the woman's infatuated chattering with contempt. Helena tries to commit suicide - which is as ridiculous and misshapen as Ludvík's desired revenge... (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Zdeněk Lipovčan
Best movies:
Marketa Lazarova (1967)
The Joke (1968)
Antonín Málek
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The Joke (1968)
Petr Pelzer
Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia
Best movies:
Sluha dvou pánů (2000) (theatrical recording)
Sluha dvou pánů (2010) (theatrical recording)
Forbidden Dreams (1986)
Josef Slavík
Best movies:
The Joke (1968)
Tomáš Škrdlant
Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia
Best movies:
The Joke (1968)
Fruit of Paradise (1969)
Zdeněk Kulhánek
Best movies:
Black Peter (1963)
The Joke (1968)
Bubny (1964)
Miroslav Souček
Best movies:
The Joke (1968)
Vladimír Drha
Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia
Best movies:
Přítelkyně z domu smutku (1992) (series)
The Joke (1968)
Oběti (1999) (series)
Vincenc Moštěk
Best movies:
The Joke (1968)
Vlasta Jelínková
Austria-Hungary
Best movies:
My Sweet Little Village (1985)
Secluded, Near Woods (1976)
Sňatky z rozumu (1968) (series)
Jana Andresíková
Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia
Best movies:
Men About Town (1969)
The Joke (1968)
Cuckoo in a Dark Forest (1984)
Vladimír Čech st.
Russian Empire
Best movies:
Happy End (1967)
You Are a Widow, Sir (1970)
Waterloo (1967) (TV movie)
Milan Friedl
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
Princ a chuďas (1971) (TV movie)
Návrat pana Ryšánka (1971) (TV movie) - narrator
The Joke (1968)
Bohuslav Čáp
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
Královský život otroka (1992) (TV movie)
The Proud Princess (1952)
Lekár umierajúceho času (1983) (series)
Iva Janžurová
Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia
Best movies:
Ikaros' Fall (1977) (TV movie)
Marecek, Pass Me the Pen! (1976)
Ubohý pan Kufalt (1981) (TV movie)
Jaroslav Satoranský
Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia
Best movies:
Cyrano z Bergeracu (1986) (theatrical recording)
Král Krysa (1979) (theatrical recording)
Mnoho povyku pro nic (1972) (theatrical recording)