The Firemen's Ball (1967)
"Horí, má panenko" (original title)

The fire department in a small town is having a big party when the ex-boss of the department celebrates his 86th birthday. The whole town is invited but things don't go as planned. Someone ... See full summary »

Director:

Milos Forman

Writers:

Milos Forman (screenplay), Jaroslav Papousek (screenplay),

Stars:

Jan Vostrcil, Josef Sebánek, Josef Valnoha

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jan Vostrcil	...	Head of Committee
Josef Sebánek	...	Committee Member #2
Josef Valnoha	...	Committee Member
Frantisek Debelka	...	Committee Member #1
Josef Kolb	...	Josef
Jan Stöckl	...	Retired Fire Chief
Vratislav Cermák	...	Committee Member
Josef Rehorek	...	Committee Member #4
Václav Novotný	...	Committee Member
Frantisek Reinstein	...	Committee Member
Frantisek Paska	...	Committee Member
Stanislav Holubec	...	Karel
Josef Kutálek	...	Ludva
Frantisek Svet	...	Old Man
Ladislav Adam	...	Committee Member

Storyline

The fire department in a small town is having a big party when the ex-boss of the department celebrates his 86th birthday. The whole town is invited but things don't go as planned. Someone is stealing the prizes to the lottery and the candidates for the Miss Fire-Department beauty contest are neither willing nor particularly beautiful.

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Plot Keywords:

beauty contest | party | fireman's ball

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Taglines:

A Masterpiece from Czechoslovakia

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Czechoslovakia Italy

Language:

Czech

Release Date:

29 September 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Firemen's Ball

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carlo Ponti Cinematografica, Filmové studio Barrandov

Technical Specs

Runtime:

71 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Banned in 1968 by the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia.

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Connections

Referenced in Sodankylä ikuisesti: Elokuvan vuosisata (2010)

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Soundtracks

"From Me to you"
(uncredited)
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Played by the band at the ball

User Reviews

Interesting film from Milos Forman

The Fireman's Ball was a very interesting film from director Milos Forman. I personally prefer Amadeus and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, but I was surprised at how good The Fireman's Ball was. My only real problem is the length, if anything I wished the film was longer.

That said, it is very well made with a realistic setting and superb editing. Forman directs wonderfully, the script is deep and funny and the story changing from gently mocking small-town manners to a blazing allegorical satire on the incompetence of the rulers drew me right in. The pace was taut, there are many details to be admired not just with the ball but with the satire and politics too and the acting is great.

All in all, a very interesting film but not the career-best film from a talented director such as Forman. It is still worth a watch though, and works on repeat viewings. 8/10 Bethany Cox