Peter and Pavla [Cerný Petr] [Black Peter] **** (1964, Ladislav Jakim, Pavla Martinkova, Jan Vostrcil) – Classic Movie Review 7042

Director Milos Forman’s fresh, lively and delightful 1964 Czechoslovak feature debut (after three documentaries) is a satirical comedy drama full of youthful enthusiasm.

Ladislav Jakim plays the young shop detective Peter [Petr], who is getting nowhere with his dance partner Pavla (Pavla Martinkova) at the dance hall. Only 17, Peter is struggling as a security worker trying to fight shoplifting in a busy self-service store. Helpfully, his father tells him how hopeless he is.

The amateur players punch home their amusing improvised lines with great brio, and Forman handles the piece in a cheerily amateurish style himself, going for truth and realism. With virtually no story, it is all incisive character study and clever observation of amusing situations, though inevitably it says volumes about Czechoslovakia in 1964.

Very successful and influential, Peter and Pavla [Cerný Petr] [Black Peter] announced the arrival of an important new director talent.

Also in the cast are Jan Vostrcil, Vladimir Pucholt, Pavel Sedlacek, Zdenek Kulhanek and Bozena Matuskova.

Peter and Pavla [Cerný Petr (original title)] [Black Peter (US title)] is directed by Milos Forman, runs 85 minutes, is  made by Filmové studio Barrandov, distributed by Ustredni Pujcovna Filmu, written by Milos Forman, Ivan Passer and Jaroslav Papousek, shot in black and white by Miroslav Ondricek and Jan Nemecek, and scored by Jiri Slitr.

Milos Forman (1932–2018).

RIP Oscar-winning director Milos Forman (1932–2018), who also made The Loves of a Blonde and The Firemen’s Ball before coming to America.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7042

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