Happy End (1967)

A dark comedy about a murder and its consequences presented in a backwards manner, where death is actually a rebirth. The film starts with an "execution" of the main protagonist and goes ... See full summary »

Director:

Oldrich Lipský

Writers:

Oldrich Lipský (screenplay), Oldrich Lipský (story),

Stars:

Vladimír Mensík, Jaroslava Obermaierová, Josef Abrhám

Cast

Credited cast:
Vladimír Mensík	...	Butcher Bedrich Frydrych
Jaroslava Obermaierová	...	Julie
Josef Abrhám	...	Ptacek
Bohus Záhorský	...	Tchán
Stella Zázvorková	...	Tchyné
Jaroslav Stercl	...	Strázník
Helena Ruzicková	...	Cernovláska
Josef Hlinomaz	...	Komisar
Martin Ruzek	...	Zalobce
Jirí Steimar
Bedrich Prokos	...	Knéz
Mirko Musil	...	Dozorce
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lena Birková	...	Zajícová
Ilona Bradácová	...	Svagrová
Lubomír Bryg	...	Pokládnik

Storyline

A dark comedy about a murder and its consequences presented in a backwards manner, where death is actually a rebirth. The film starts with an "execution" of the main protagonist and goes back to explore his previous actions and motivations.

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Plot Keywords:

backwards | dark comedy | murder | guillotine | severed arm | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

Czechoslovakia

Language:

Czech

Release Date:

10 June 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

Onnellinen loppu

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmové studio Barrandov

Technical Specs

Runtime:

71 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White (tinted)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Just before the wedding scene, Bedrich and Julia wake up with the former wearing a white shirt and black pants while Julia is topless. This is way different compared to what they wore the day 'after' - Bedrich and Julia are clad in their night clothes. There is also no indication of any days passing between that and the honeymoon.

User Reviews

Genuinely hilarious

I haven't laughed this hard at a film in so long. I had always been looking for this film, but forgot about it until I saw it on offer from an independent company. It really does run 100% in reverse. Dialogue is mouthed backwards, tears run upwards - everything. The story line is a stroke of genius though. Forwards, it might have made a nice, if dull, murder mystery, but played in reverse it becomes a different story entirely - and almost conceivable. The copy I bought had very questionable subtitles, which only brought on more laughter, but it was still easy to understand. Why this never had its day is beyond me - bring it back!