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The Firemen's Ball is an uproarious comedy of incompetence, mining laughs and sharp satire from an allegory that is amusing and distressing in equal measure.
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All Critics (32) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (29) | Rotten (3)
In 1967, the year before Soviet tanks rampaged through Czechoslovakia, the Czech director Milos Forman subtly, scathingly used the premise of a quaint provincial party to mock the Party. September 18, 2017 | Full Review…
In 1967, the year before Soviet tanks rampaged through Czechoslovakia, the Czech director Milos Forman subtly, scathingly used the premise of a quaint provincial party to mock the Party.
Richard Brody
With Loves of a Blonde, it's the best work Forman's done, rooted in a social reality that has eluded him in his American projects. September 19, 2014 | Full Review…
With Loves of a Blonde, it's the best work Forman's done, rooted in a social reality that has eluded him in his American projects.
Dave Kehr
A delicious parody-fable of Slavic bureaucracy. September 19, 2014 | Full Review…
A delicious parody-fable of Slavic bureaucracy.
Quietly, irresistibly funny in the early Forman manner (this was his first film in colour); but the belated switch to allegorical satire seems altogether too sour in the context. November 17, 2011
Quietly, irresistibly funny in the early Forman manner (this was his first film in colour); but the belated switch to allegorical satire seems altogether too sour in the context.
Tom Milne
Forman has cannily used a bevy of non-actors to flesh out a practically plotless vehicle, a lively, brimming comedy on human conduct and smalltown life. March 26, 2009 | Full Review…
Forman has cannily used a bevy of non-actors to flesh out a practically plotless vehicle, a lively, brimming comedy on human conduct and smalltown life.
Variety Staff
The nonprofessional actors, hammy slapstick and overwrought politics make it a better conversation piece than viewing experience. December 10, 2008 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
The nonprofessional actors, hammy slapstick and overwrought politics make it a better conversation piece than viewing experience.
Stephen Garrett
A showcase for [director Milos] Forman's unique talents. January 24, 2020 | Full Review…
A showcase for [director Milos] Forman's unique talents.
Paul Schrader
In the microcosm of the ball, there are no bad intentions, just ideas of grandeur that fall sweetly short. October 9, 2019 | Full Review…
In the microcosm of the ball, there are no bad intentions, just ideas of grandeur that fall sweetly short.
David Harris
The film is shot through with the darkest of Czech humor-everyone, from the committee to the people to the landscape itself is the butt of a joke, representative of petty rivalries, drunken idiocy, and smug leadership that cannot lead. October 11, 2018 | Full Review…
The film is shot through with the darkest of Czech humor-everyone, from the committee to the people to the landscape itself is the butt of a joke, representative of petty rivalries, drunken idiocy, and smug leadership that cannot lead.
Lauren Humphries-Brooks
Although the film is enormously engaging, its humour is by no means all comfortable; nor is it meant to be. July 14, 2018 | Full Review…
Although the film is enormously engaging, its humour is by no means all comfortable; nor is it meant to be.
Penelope Houston
I cannot remember the last time I laughed so hard that I cried, but I did for The Firemen's Ball, and more than once. February 11, 2015 | Rating: 89/100 | Full Review…
I cannot remember the last time I laughed so hard that I cried, but I did for The Firemen's Ball, and more than once.
Dan Jardine
A socio-political satire that thrums with warmth and spontaneity, yet so enraged Communist authorities it was banned. September 19, 2014 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
A socio-political satire that thrums with warmth and spontaneity, yet so enraged Communist authorities it was banned.
Jamie Graham
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