The Firemen's Ball (1968)
The Firemen's Ball Photos
Movie Info
Cast
as Josef
as Josef's Wife
as 2nd Committee Member
as 1st Committee Member
as Fire Brigade Commander
as Old Man
as Adjutant
as Committee Chairman
Critic Reviews for The Firemen's Ball
All Critics (29) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (26) | Rotten (3) | DVD (4)
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.
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.
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.
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.
The nonprofessional actors, hammy slapstick and overwrought politics make it a better conversation piece than viewing experience.
Audience Reviews for The Firemen's Ball
Banned from Czechoslovakia for being understood as a satire that openly mocked the heroes of the Communist regime (the people), Milos Forman's first film in color is this hilarious story made by a talented filmmaker who did know his way with an unpretentious dark comedy.
Super Reviewer
fantastically funny
Super Reviewer
A hilariously quirky little foreign comedy from a brilliant director. There aren't any really well known actors or anything like that, but it's short and simple and enjoyable, so I highly recommend it.
Super Reviewer
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