In Nazi occupied Czech Republic (then Protectorate Bohemia and Moravia), a childless couple agree to hide a Jewish friend at great personal risk of discovery and execution.

Director:

Jan Hrebejk

Writers:

Jan Hrebejk, Petr Jarchovský (screenplay) | 1 more credit »
Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 15 wins & 3 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bolek Polívka ... Josef Cízek (as Boleslav Polívka)
Anna Sisková ... Marie Cizková
Csongor Kassai ... David Wiener
Jaroslav Dusek ... Horst Prohaska
Martin Huba ... Dr. Albrecht Kepke
Jirí Pecha ... Frantisek Simácek
Simona Stasová ... Libuse Simácková
Vladimír Marek ... SS Officer
Richard Tesarík Richard Tesarík ... Captain
Karel Hermánek ... Captain (voice)
Otto Sevcík Otto Sevcík ... SS Offcier
Jirí Kodet ... Dr. Fischer-Rybáf
Petr Knotek Petr Knotek
Helena Neuwirthová Helena Neuwirthová
Nelly Kocarjan Nelly Kocarjan
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Storyline

In World War II Nazi occupied Czech Republic a childless couple, Josef and Marie Cizek, can only watch while the Jewish family of their employers, the Wieners, are first removed from their own home to a spare room in their house by the Nazis, then deported to Theresienstadt concentration camp. Years later, young David Wiener, the sole surviving member of that family has managed to escape and make it to the Cizeks. Although fully aware of the extreme danger of harboring a Jew in the Third Reich, the Cizek's can not permit themselves to leave David to certain death and agree to hide him. However, this decision leads to terrible danger of discovery by the Nazis and especially their friend and Nazi collaborator, Horst Prohazka, who is attracted to Marie. With desperate cleverness and luck, the Cizeks struggle to keep the secret, even when Horst begins to suspect. In doing so, they find themselves making unorthodox choices and learning about the true nature of the people around them. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

In a war-torn village, one couple makes the ultimate sacrifice to save another.

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | War

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some violence and sexual content | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Czech Republic's official submission to 73rd Academy Award's Foreign Language in 2001. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Show Jana Krause: Episode dated 25 March 2011 (2011) See more »

User Reviews

 
Byble references
25 May 2005 | by przgzrSee all my reviews

There have been many comments written and I don't want to repeat any of it. Czech authors know well how to make a great comedy, and they proved it in 70's. Most of them do not cause loud laughing, it's more a smile inducing type of movies. But going closer to present these movies become rare, and even smile is either vanishing or becoming bitter. I almost don't find any reason to consider this movie a comedy. It's surely not a Czech version of 'La vita e bella'.

The reason I send this post is kind of Byblical metaphor present in this movie, and (only) one poster (i_nealhoward@yahoo.com) wrote a good remark about it. There are some more examples I'd like to add.

Joseph and Mary, of course, have these names purposely. Mary has a child to save a world, at least their own small world. Joseph in movie is not a father of Mary's child, but she became pregnant with his knowledge and permission. David is the real father of Mary's child in the movie, and according to Bible Jesus is a descendant of king David.

Horst isn't Juda. He is more like a Roman soldier (centurion) played so great by Ernest Borgnine in Zefirelli's 'Gesu di Nazaret': he works for occupation army and fights against Jews, but he doesn't know the truth, and in the end (Jesus' death in Bible, child's birth in movie) he understands and starts believing. But there is Juda: it is Frantisek Simácek, the neighbor who tries to betray David to Nazis, but later works for communists and accuses Joseph (and others) for collaboration. He survives being always with the winners changing his attitudes (if having any) the way it's most convenient, profitable and safe. Kepke is Pilatus, once he understands his power is gone he apologizes (washes his hands), but too late to change the evil he's done. It might be going too far, but you can imagine the communist leader to be a kind of Herod, putting in jail or killing all the suspects just to be sure no enemy will escape. Also, he sends three co-workers to see the baby and check Joseph's story, like Herod who sent the Three Kings to find truth about birth of Jesus.

And the end scene can also have a religious aspect: in the world that needs hope, Joseph shows a child to surviving, and due to a holy child we can see dead that forgive each other and enable building the world of tolerance and forgiving - the world of love, hope and peace.


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Details

Country:

Czech Republic

Language:

German | Czech

Release Date:

16 March 2000 (Czech Republic) See more »

Also Known As:

Divided We Fall See more »

Filming Locations:

Jaromer, Czech Republic

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Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$28,583, 10 June 2001

Gross USA:

$1,332,586

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,046,440
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Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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