Happy 82nd Birthday, Jiří Menzel! Born today in 1938, this Czech theatre director, actor, screenwriter and film director's features often combine a humanistic view of the world with sarcasm and provocative cinematography. Some of these films are adapted from works by Czech writers such as Bohumil Hrabal and Vladislav Vančura.
Among his credits, Menzel is best known for writing and directing the 1966 Czechoslovak black and white drama/comedy-drama film 'Ostře sledované vlaky' ('Closely Watched Trains').
Based off of the eponymous 1965 fiction novel by Hrabal, the film is set in a small town still occupied by the Germans as World War II's tide in turning toward the Allies.
In a local sleepy railway station, a young apprentice train-watcher named Miloš Hrma (Václav Neckár) is oblivious to the war. Instead, he is obsessed with having his first sexual experience.
In a local sleepy railway station, a young apprentice train-watcher named Miloš Hrma (Václav Neckár) is oblivious to the war. Instead, he is obsessed with having his first sexual experience.
Despite the favors of a pretty young train conductor named Máša (Jitka Bendová), Miloš has no luck. His quest leads him to a female Resistance fighter who, in passing, recruits him to the cause. As Miloš eventually and finally finds love, danger draws closer.
Menzel had an uncredited role in the film as the young Dr. Brabec. He explains to Miloš that ejaculatio praecox is normal at his age.
Menzel had an uncredited role in the film as the young Dr. Brabec. He explains to Miloš that ejaculatio praecox is normal at his age.
Released outside of Czechoslovakia during 1967,'Closely Watched Trains' won the Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 40th Academy Awards in April 1968.
Menzel has been active from 1960–present.
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