Jaromil Jireš

The Joke

The Joke

Jaromil Jireš’s brilliant adaptation of Milan Kundera’s novel tells the fragmentary tale of a man expelled from the Communist Party because of a political joke. After “rehabilitation” in the mines and a stint in prison, he hatches a revenge plot against the former friend who betrayed him. Made near the end of the Czech New Wave, The Joke is acknowledged as one of its greatest works.

Film Info

  • Czechoslovakia
  • 1969
  • 81 minutes
  • Black & White
  • 1.33:1
  • Czech

Available In

Collector's Set

Eclipse Series 32: Pearls of the Czech New Wave

Pearls of the Czech New Wave

DVD Box Set

4 Discs

$55.96

The Joke
Cast
Josef Somr
Ludvik Jahn
Jana Ditětová
Helena Zemánková
Luděk Munzar
Pavel Zemánek
Jaroslava Obermaierová
Markéta
Milan Svrcina
Jaroslav
Miloš Rejchrt
Alexej
Evald Schorm
Kostka
Věra Kresadlová
Brožová
Michal Pavlata
Jindra
Credits
Director
Jaromil Jireš
Assistant director
Eliska Stibrová
Screenplay
Milan Kundera
Screenplay
Jaromil Jireš
From the novel by
Milan Kundera
Cinematography
Jan Curík
Art direction
Ladislav Winkelhöffer
Art direction
Karel Kracík
Editor
Josef Valušiak
Music
Zdeněk Pololáník
Costumes
Helena Anyžová
Costumes
Zdena Šnajdarová

Current

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