The Good Soldier Švejk (1957)
Good-natured and garrulous, Schweik becomes the Austrian army's most loyal Czech soldier when he is called up on the outbreak of World War I -- although his bumbling attempts to get to the front serve only to prevent him from reaching it. Playing cards and getting drunk, he uses all his cunning and genial subterfuge to deal with the police, clergy, and officers who chivy him toward battle.
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Such a frustrating disappointment
Load of rubbish!!
This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.
The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.
Magnificent screenplay based on Hasek's famous book. I used to read the book translated in English whenever I felt down. Now instead I watch this movie and the positive effect on my mood is even stronger. I watched it many times.The caricature of life is exhilarating. So many talented actors in this movie! Their performance is unforgettable. Reading the subtitles does make it a bit more difficult to watch it the first time, but if you watch the movie again, it is less of a problem. The director must be congratulated as well. A masterpiece.
This movie (and its sequel) is a best adaptation of the classical Czech book The Good Soldier Svejk to date. True to the book with the best Czech actors this adaptation just can't be bested. Story follows the mishaps of the simpleminded soldier Svejk in the beginning of the 1st World War and points out the stupidity of the government and army. True movie gem.