Closely Watched Trains

Closely Watched Trains

2DES12
Premiere:18. November 1966
Length:92 minutes
Genre:Comedy, Drama

The first feature film directed by Jiří Menzel was made in 1966 based on the novel of the same name by Bohumil Hrabal. The adaptation of the slim novel is characterised by its original combination of a non-pathetic depiction of the years of occupation as manifested in a small rural railway station and the private troubles of the individual characters. In its time, the film attracted extraordinary attention at home and abroad, mainly for the gentle and harsh humour that permeated the story of a young railwayman's difficult coming-of-age, and for its unusual view of the war. The film won many domestic and international awards, including the second Oscar for Czechoslovak cinema.

Length: 92 min

Year: 1966
Local premiere date: 18. November 1966

Country of origin:

  • Czech Republic

The first feature film directed by Jiří Menzel was made in 1966 based on the novel of the same name by Bohumil Hrabal. The adaptation of the slim novel is characterised by its original combination of a non-pathetic depiction of the years of occupation as manifested in a small rural railway station and the private troubles of the individual characters. In its time, the film attracted extraordinary attention at home and abroad, mainly for the gentle and harsh humour that permeated the story of a young railwayman's difficult coming-of-age, and for its unusual view of the war. The film won many domestic and international awards, including the second Oscar for Czechoslovak cinema.

Year: 1966
Local premiere date: 18. November 1966

Country of origin:

  • Czech Republic