Return of the Prodigal Son (1967)

Engineer Jan Sebek (Jan Kacer) is undergoing treatment in a mental home after his unsuccessful attempt to commit suicide. His therapist, via discussions both with the patient and with ... See full summary »

Director:

Evald Schorm

Writers:

Sergej Machonin, Evald Schorm

Stars:

Jana Brejchová, Nina Divísková, Karel Hovorka

1 win.

Cast

Credited cast:
Jana Brejchová	...	Jana
Nina Divísková
Karel Hovorka
Jan Kacer	...	Jan Sebek
Klara Kacerova
Jirí Kilian	...	Zdenek
Antonín Lebeda	...	Jana's Father
Anna Lebedova	...	Jana's Mother
Dana Medrická	...	Olga
Jirí Menzel	...	Jirí
Milan Morávek	...	Doctor
Josef A. Stehlík	...	Parson
Leos Sucharípa
Jirina Trebická

Storyline

Engineer Jan Sebek (Jan Kacer) is undergoing treatment in a mental home after his unsuccessful attempt to commit suicide. His therapist, via discussions both with the patient and with people who know him, tries to find out what made the young and seemingly satisfied man decide to end his own life. Jan's pretty wife Jana (Jana Brejchová) claims not to know about anything but she is conducting an affair with a family friend, almost publicly and with the blessing of her parents.

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Plot Keywords:

czech new wave | adultery | doctor | outsider | asylum | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Predcasná úmrtí: Zivot za lásku (2001)

User Reviews

Alienation or mental illness?

This movie begins with the arrival of Jan, a young engineer, being admitted to a mental hospital. Although he seems to have everything (a good job, a beautiful wife and a daughter) he has just tried committing suicide. Nobody can say why, least of all Jan. The movie follows him as he attempts to get his life back together. There is little plot per se, just a series of incidents that show his emotional ups and downs. It's an interesting movie but a hard one to get excited about. The movie has a very cool and detached approach that keeps the viewer at arm's length. Some of the scenes in the movie feel a little choppy. Many of the characters' emotions turn at the drop of a dime and the dialogue has an improvisational feel. A challenging but interesting film.

Side note for film buffs: Jan's wife's whiny lover is played by Jiri Menzel, the director of the great Closely Watched Trains and other classics.

Details

Country:

Czechoslovakia

Language:

Czech

Release Date:

10 March 1967 (Czechoslovakia)

Also Known As:

Return of the Prodigal Son

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmové studio Barrandov

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1