The legendary adaptation of a novella by Bohumil Hrabal tells the coming-of-age story of the young and inexperienced Miloš Hrma, serving as a station guard apprentice in central Bohemia at the close of the Second World War. Rather than taking an interest in the impending collapse of Nazi Germany, the timid young man focuses his attentions on the lovely conductor Máša. Miloš’s colleagues, the station chief and dispatcher, may be opposed in spirit to the Nazi occupation, but given the tough penalties for resistance, choose to focus instead on day-to-day personal affairs. However, one of the duties of the railway staff is the requirement to pay special attention to “closely watched trains” carrying armaments to the front. Menzel’s first film won an Oscar for Best Foreign Film in 1967.

Subtitles: HR