Rent Closely Observed Trains (1966)
3.8 of 5 from 146 ratings
1h 28min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Milos Hrma, a bumbling dispatcher's apprentice at a village railway station in occupied Czechoslovakia, longs to liberate himself from his virginity. Oblivious to the war and the resistance that surrounds him, he embarks on a journey of sexual awakening and self-discovery, encountering a universe of frustration, eroticism, and adventure within his sleepy backwater depot. Milos becomes involved in a plot to blow up a German ammunition train, but when the plan backfires, he is forced to commit the ultimate act of courage.
- Actors:
- Václav Neckár, Josef Somr, Vlastimil Brodský, Vladimír Valenta, Alois Vachek, Ferdinand Kruta, Jitka Scoffin, Jitka Zelenohorská, Nada Urbánková, Libuse Havelková, Kveta Fialová, Pavla Marsálková, Milada Jezková, Zuzana Minichova, Václav Fiser, Miroslav Homola, Karel Hovorka, Vladimír Hrabánek, Frantisek Husák, Jirí Kodet
- Directors:
- Jirí Menzel
- Producers:
- Zdenek Oves, Carlo Ponti
- Writers:
- Bohumil Hrabal, Jirí Menzel
- Others:
- Jiri Pavlik
- Aka:
- Ostre sledované vlaky
- Studio:
- Arrow Films
- Genres:
- Classics, Comedy, Drama
- Collections:
- Cinema Paradiso's Euro 24 Film Festival, Films & TV by topic, Holidays Film Collection, Top 10 Czech Films, Top 10 Films About Trains: Westerns and War Movies, Top 10 Screen Kisses (1896-1979), Top Films
- Countries:
- Czechoslovakia
- Awards:
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 16/11/2015
- Run Time:
- 92 minutes
- Languages:
- Czech LPCM 1.0 Mono
- Subtitles:
- English
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Full Screen 1.37:1
- Colour:
- B & W
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- (0) All
- Bonus:
- Appreciation by Czech film expert Peter Hames
- Archive interviews with Jin Menzel, Jaromfr Sofr and historian Jan Lukes
- Closely Observed Films: Michael Brooke explores the six-film collaboration between Jin Menzel and novelist Bohumil Hrabal
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Reviews (3) of Closely Observed Trains
Comedy on the Edge of Tragedy - Closely Observed Trains review by griggs
At first it seems like a modest coming-of-age tale set in a provincial station during the war, but there’s more going on between the trains. Ordinary chatter slips into absurdity almost unnoticed — a bureaucrat’s pompous speech collapsing into parody, or a sexual mishap played with deadpan irony. The mix is funny, awkward, and quietly unsettling.
Jirí Menzel directs with restraint, letting satire seep into melancholy rather than forcing the contrast. The war hangs at the margins, a shadow that never disappears, while the heart of the story is a young man stumbling toward adulthood — sexually, morally, and ultimately, fatally.
Closely Watched Trains draws its strength from that balance: an intimate story rooted in station life, punctuated by surreal asides that reveal history as both absurd and brutally serious. Not just a Czech New Wave classic, but a sly reminder of how comedy and tragedy can share the same track.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
A true classic. - Closely Observed Trains review by JD
A wonderful film, on so many levels.
Very funny inparts, but also erotic, sad and exciting.
One of the best black and white movies, with some stunning, unforgettable images ( the trains, the bare bottom to mention only two !)
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Stunning - Closely Observed Trains review by Michael
A great film, funny and also emotional at times. I'd recommend adding this to your list.
Beautiful shots too.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.