Horí, má panenko (1967) Reviews

• This seminal work is a must for serious fans of Czech film

  Matthew-311998-12-30

  This film is a cult classic in Milos Forman's native Czech Republic, where the previous Communist regime banned it for its biting social satire (and because Forman emigrated to the US). The director brings out a number of themes and devices that would become his trademarks on later award-winners such as "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest," "Hair" and "Amadeus". Non-actors and first-timers predominate in the cast, giving the film a gutsy realism. As in Forman's later films, the pace and tone of the film are light and comedic, setting the viewer up for the shock of the tragic denouement. And it is worth noting that the film's cameraman (M. Ondricek) and art director (K. Cerny) later continued to work with Forman in Hollywood, winning Oscars as well. The Czech subtitle translates roughly as "In which they dance, steal and extinguish" and that about sums it up. A retiring small-town fireman is treated to a farewell ball by the rest of the brigade. The retiree, clearly a holdover from the pre-war democratic society, represents the old values of personal decency and integrity, contrasting pointedly with his younger colleagues. Most of the film is taken up by the ball itself and depiction of the townspeople involved. The characters drawn range from gentle caricature to fierce satire. Highlights include a hastily-arranged beauty contest (each girl uglier than the next), a table full of disappearing door prizes (another one is gone every time you look - and the couple guarding the table are doing some of the stealing, too) and the final presentation of the award to the retiree: the box with the ceremonial fire-ax is empty, but the old man stoically hides his confusion and disappointment. In these episodes Forman is indirectly criticising not just a decadent society but the Communist regime whose lawlessness and twisted sense of values brought about the decay. The final moments of the film - when an actual fire breaks out in the town - make the point uncompromisingly: people have forgotten what is really important in life. If you don't care much for European films and aren't interested in life in the former East bloc, this film may seem tedious and the humor hard to understand. But if you want to see one of the classic films of the Czech New Wave and gain an insight into the early development of an Oscar-winning director, this film is definitely worth an hour and a half of your life.

• Sincere comedy takes place at a drunken Czech firemen party

  GoatPoda2000-02-17

  Often hilarious comedy was an early effort by Forman. The characters reveal their attributes and flaws over the course of a drunken bash that involves stealing, sex, abundant alcohol consumption, and a Fireman's Ball Beauty Contest. Forman had to deny that there was a political message behind the film in Socialist late 60's Czechoslavakia. He has a rare talent for presenting humans, not necessarily pretty, but engaging and natural. Forman encourages us in an introduction to not think too much.

• One of the Top-Five Comedies Ever

  Mihnea_aka_Pitbull2009-03-27

  Without hesitation, I place "The Firemen's Ball" to the apex of world comedy, together with Buster Keaton's "The General", Stanley Kramer's "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad Mad World", Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" and Billy Wilder's "Some Like It Hot". Funny-wise, this is the definition of INTELLIGENCE, WITS, SPIRIT, INSPIRATION, BRIGHTNESS. The laughs are coming non-stop, in an atrocious vein. But there is much more than that... Yes, there is much more - because, all being said and done, we watch an extremely sad story... The poor blundering provincials, limited, foolish, ridiculous in their stupidity, pathetically try to have a good time, and they only arrive to set-up a grotesque, sub-human masquerade... Innocent in their insanity, childish in their ignorance, their solemn ball looks like a parade of apes dressed as human beings. And the (you-know-what) hits the fan at the moment when things get really serious: the fire at Pan Havelka's house. During that excruciating scene, we really see the fallacy of it all. The ending - all of it! - is the top of the masterpiece. The solemn delivery of the homage (that was stolen also from its case!), followed by the dawn shot of the two poor old men covering themselves with the same blanket, under the gently beginning snow-fall, is worthy of Chaplin. Definitely, with this movie, Forman offered a priceless heritage to the world of cinema - and culture; and spirit; and HUMANITY.

• Avoid it if you must

  Alexandar2005-05-23

  The Firemen's Ball (1967) **** Watching Forman's acclaimed comedy ''The Firemen's Ball'' was a very unique movie-going experience. It is filled with the extraordinary subtle humor, compassion for its characters, very realistic setting, acting & feeling and some brief satire. It got various reviews upon releasing. Some critics hailed it as a minimalistic masterpiece (Roger Ebert) others just was ''resistant'' to it's so-called charm (Leonard Maltin). I just know I wasn't. Judge for yourself. I can't, however, recall so sharp and intelligent script and so believable performances packed in mere 70 minutes. I find it superior to acclaimed Oscar winning Czech comedy filmed a year before by Jiri Menzel – ''Closely Watched Trains''. By the way, interesting note: Czechoslovakian movies were nominated four years in a row for the Best Foreign Language Oscar in 1960ies. ('65, '66, '67, '68). Two of them won it (''Shop on a main street'' in 1965 and ''Closely Watched Trains'' in 1967) and two didn't (''Loves of a Blonde'' in 1966 and ''The Firemen's Ball'' in 1968).

• Milos's Greatest Achievement

  jay4stein79-12006-03-05

  If you're only familiar with Milos Forman through his latter-day works, such as the People vs. Larry Flynt, Man on the Moon, Amadeus, or even Cuckoo's Nest, you should probably do yourself a favor and seek out his earlier films made in his native Czechoslovakia. Made during that country's years as a Soviet satellite, The Firemen's Ball can be seen as an underhanded commentary on the shambles of communist rule but more importantly it can be seen as an exploration of human foibles. Abiding by Murphy's Law, apparently, everything that can go wrong does go wrong with the Firemen's Ball, planned to celebrate the retired fire chief who is now dying. Prizes are stolen and ugly girls become contestants in a beauty pageant. It's all very funny and everyone is quite silly, but the film doesn't lack empathy. Forman sympathizes with his characters because he knows that they're just like the rest of us--bumbling through life causing and becoming affected by minor catastrophes. As I said, it's very funny but not without a tinge of melancholy, which primarily emanates from the old chief. The film recognizes that, yes, these mishaps are funny but sad too--sad because this is the only send-off the old man is likely to receive and sad because he doesn't necessarily want the send off. The film is an amazing amalgamation of pathos and humor, quite like some of Woody Allen's more inspired comedy-dramas (Manhattan comes to mind). This is whimsical film-making at its best and a wonderful, if too short, film. Forman has attempted to capture the same sense of silliness, spontaneity, and joy in his American films, but they come up somewhat lacking. Along with Loves of a Blonde, this is likely his crowning achievement and for what posterity should remember him. From my perspective, it's also the film most like Forman himself. About six years ago, I met him at a film festival in upstate New York. He shuffled into a panel discussion with Michael Ondaatje, Paul Schrader, and Russell Banks about fifteen minutes late. Forman wore sweatpants and looked exhausted, yet he was the liveliest and most amusing member of that panel--you could see pieces of Tom Hulce's performance in Amadeus or Nicholson's performance in Cuckoo's Nest there. Having seen The Firemen's Ball, I know what I actually was seeing was this film in the flesh.