Czech director Jiri Menzel's Closely Watched Trains (Ostre sledovane vlaky) was the recipient of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1967. In the story, based on Bohumil Hrabal's novel of the same name, Vaclav Neckar plays a Czech railroad worker during the Nazi occupation. He undergoes several philosophical changes as he becomes attracted to the Czech underground. Determining at last that his own existence hardly matters in the scheme of things, Neckar volunteers for a suicide mission. Ordered by the Czech ...
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Czech director Jiri Menzel's Closely Watched Trains (Ostre sledovane vlaky) was the recipient of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1967. In the story, based on Bohumil Hrabal's novel of the same name, Vaclav Neckar plays a Czech railroad worker during the Nazi occupation. He undergoes several philosophical changes as he becomes attracted to the Czech underground. Determining at last that his own existence hardly matters in the scheme of things, Neckar volunteers for a suicide mission. Ordered by the Czech Communist government to return his Oscar, Menzel refused, opting instead to make a "repentance" film which sang the praises of collectivism. This second film has long since been forgotten, while Closely Watched Trains remains on record as one of the biggest financial successes of the Eastern European Cinema. Hal Erickson, Rovi
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Add this copy of Closely Watched Trains [Criterion Collection] to cart. $29.26, new condition, Sold by Importcds rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Sunrise, FL, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Barrandov Film Studios.
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Seller's Description:
Vaclav Neckar; Jitka Bendova; Vladimir Valenta; Libuse Havelkova; Josef Somr. New. Run time: 89 mins. Language: Czech. New in new packaging. USA Orders only! Brand New product! please allow delivery times of 3-7 business days within the USA. US orders only please.
Add this copy of Closely Watched Trains-Criterion Collection to cart. $31.44, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Criterion.
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Jiri Menzel, Josef Somr, Vladimir Valenta, Vaclav Neckar, Libuse Havelkova. New. 1966 Run time: 93. Buy with confidence-Satisfaction Guaranteed! Delivery Confirmation included for all orders in the US.
Lots of people are familiar with Italian and French New Wave films, but fewer have experienced the simple, effortless, wry voice of the Czech New Wave--and they should. Menzel's Closely Watched Trains is just such an example; it's funny and poignant, laid back and captivating, while telling an original story. It deals with issues of sex, war, nationality, and adolescence with a light handed touch, following young railroad worker Milos as he comes of age in WWII Czechoslovakia. He's surrounded by an entertaining and unusual group of supporting characters, including co-worker Hubicka, whose rubber stamping of the telegraph girl's behind makes for one of the most ridiculously funny sequences I've seen. This film is a wonderful experience and a great look at Czech people and art---dekuji, and see it.
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