From the director of The Cremator and Morgiana, Juraj Herz's distinctive, decadent film is adapted from the renowned novel by Jaroslav Havlicek. Set at the turn of the 19th-century in the final years of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, this atmospheric period drama is a bitter 'romance' which centres on the tragic marriage between two cousins. Stepa (the wonderful Iva Janzurova), is a vivacious, modern-minded, wealthy young woman, but who is desperately seeking love and happiness; Pavel (Petr Cepek), is an arrogant, self-serving retired army officer weighed down by debt, cynicism, and syphilis. Herz's lavish film evokes a pungent atmosphere of decay and features superb performances by its two leads, gorgeous costume and set design, and stunning cinematography by Dodo Simoncic. An iconic classic of Czech cinema.
- Region Code:
- Region A,B,C
- Duration:
- 104 minutes
- Original Language:
- Czech
- Extras:
- Language(s): Czech, Subtitles: English, Interactive Menu, Booklet, Bonus Footage, Commentary: Projection Booth commentary with Mike White, Kat Ellinger and Jonathan Owen (film historians)., Short Czech public information film: 'A Conversation On a Train' (Rozhovor ve vlaku, 1947)., Trailers