Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsObchod na korze (1965) More at IMDbPro »
Overview
User Rating:
Directors:
Writers:
Ladislav Grosman (screenplay)
Ladislav Grosman (story)
more
Release Date:
24 January 1966 (USA) more
Plot:
Slovakia during WW2. Tono lives a poor life, but the authorities offer him a take over the Jewish widow Lautman's little shop for sewing material... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 4 wins & 3 nominations more
User Comments:
Film brilliantly combines comedy and tragedy in tale of moralresponsibility. more (33 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Ida Kaminska | ... | Rozalie Lautmann | |
| Jozef Króner | ... | Antonin Brtko | |
| Hana Slivková | ... | Evelyna Brtková | |
| Martin Hollý | ... | Imro Kuchar | |
| Adám Matejka | ... | Piti Báci | |
| Frantisek Zvarík | ... | Marcus Kolkotsky | |
| Mikulas Ladizinsky | ... | Marian Peter | |
| Martin Gregor | ... | Jozef Katz, barber | |
| Alojz Kramar | ... | Balko, the bandmaster | |
| Gita Misurová | ... | Andoricová | |
| Frantisek Papp | ... | Andoric | |
| Helena Zvaríková | ... | Rose Kolkotsky | |
| Tibor Vadas | ... | Tobacconist | |
| Eugen Senaj | ... | Blau, the Jewish relief treasurer | |
| Luise Grossová | ... | Eliasova, Danko's mother |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
A Shop on the High Street (UK) (literal English title)
The Shop on Main Street (USA)
more
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
128 min | USA:125 min (2001 Criterion release)
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
This movie was shot exclusively in the small Slovak city of Sabinov. more
Quotes:
Antonin Brtko: I'm your Aryan and you're my Jewess . . . understand? more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "Fejezetek a film történetéböl: A cseh új hullám (#1.16)" (1990) more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (33 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Obchod na korze (1965) moreRecommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Die Blechtrommel | Ostre sledované vlaky | Mr. Klein | Bittere Ernte | Europa Europa |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Drama section | IMDb Czechoslovakia section | Add this title to MyMovies |

This movie is one of my all-time favorites. It depicts a lazy, self-interested "everyman" caught up in a personal struggle of good and evil. The directors/writers question the moral responsibility of genocide, as smalltown Czechs under Nazi domination respond to their Jewish neighbors. Jews are no longer allowed to own shops, so their businesses' control and ultimate ownership is turned over to Christians -- namely, Nazi sympathizers. One such Christian, brother-in-law of a high-ranking official, is given a button shop, owned by a deaf, elderly Jewish woman, who is not even aware that there is a war going on. Due to her deafness, she has the innocence of a child. The Christian overseer finds that the shop makes no money whatsover, but also learns that the Jewish community supports the old woman and will pay him a salary to watch over her. What develops is a platonic love story between the two, hilariously funny due to the old woman's inability to comprehend the impending doom around her, and her assistant's struggle to shield her from harm while concerned with self-preservation. The movie works on numerous levels -- as a love story, including dreamlike fantasy elements of a bygone world where Nazi horrors don't exist; and as a tale of ultimate moral responsibility. It is a story of basically good people, who say nothing, see nothing, hear nothing, and do nothing when genocide threatens their neighbors, and who thus enable genocide to occur. The brilliant combination of hysterically funny scenes set against a background of impending mass murder brings this film to a life that is lacking in most humorless holocaust-oriented films. The laughter through tears produces an ultimate impact that is emotionally devastating. This film justly received an Oscar for Best Foreign Film when it was released. It was produced during a brief high point of the Czech film industry, prior to Russia's reconquering of the country and squelching any artistic freedom. All the performers are exceptional, particularly the two leads. (After the Russian takeover, actress Ida Kaminski emigrated to New York and attempted to revive the Yiddish Theatre.)