Tuesday, March 20, 2012

The Sheriff Behind Bars (1965)

The Sheriff Behind Bars • Serif za mrezami (1965)
The Sheriff Behind Bars • Serif za mrezami (1965)

Czech New Wave
Genre: Drama
Director: Dimitrij Plichta
Starring: Otakar Prajzner, Martin Stepanek, George Sedlmayer
Language: Slovak
Duration: 95 min.
Rating: 7.4  

Summary:
Young Jakub lets himself be arrested and put in jail instead of the 'sheriff' of his gang. He pleads guilty out of false solidarity hoping the 'sheriff' will appreciate his gesture. This belief only gives him the strength to stand the unbearable conditions in the reform institution.

The Sheriff Behind Bars • Serif za mrezami (1965)


The Sheriff Behind Bars is a film directed by Dimitrij Plichta, co-written with Vladimír Valenta. A documentary like portrayal of a youth correctional facility in 1960's Czechoslovakia, the film follows Jakub (Otakar Prajzner), a young gang member who takes the rap for a failed heist in order to impress his leader.

It's an interesting little film with a balanced screenplay that tells a moral tale while avoiding traditional good vs evil, or us against them characterizations. Capturing a slice of life in a way that feels authentic, maybe perhaps too mundane at times, but remains fascinating with it's full attention to the details and dynamics of prison life.

Prajzner, a non professional actor, handles the main role of the quiet and naive Jakub well. He's caught up in a rough situation caused by his own misplaced loyalty, and the internal struggle he goes through is fully natural and convincing.

It also features some beautiful camera work, one of the common attributes of Slovak films from this era is the frequent use of crisscrossing lines within the frame, and this film is full of precise shots of the steel bars and barbed wire fences that keep the characters caged in.

Not the most exciting or gripping story, but it's solidly made, and the issues raised are timeless.

Bonjour Tristesse

The Sheriff Behind Bars • Serif za mrezami (1965)

The Sheriff Behind Bars • Serif za mrezami (1965)

The Sheriff Behind Bars • Serif za mrezami (1965)

The Sheriff Behind Bars • Serif za mrezami (1965)

The Sheriff Behind Bars • Serif za mrezami (1965)

The Sheriff Behind Bars • Serif za mrezami (1965)

The Sheriff Behind Bars • Serif za mrezami (1965)

The Sheriff Behind Bars • Serif za mrezami (1965)

9 comments:

The Angry Lurker said...

At the very least the story is an interesting one....

Michael Parent said...

Weird poster... But interesting review! I hope to have the time someday to take the trip around in the Czech New Wave like you are taken us!

d_4 said...

Well it's great that it's well made, that alone makes it worth a shot, but not the place to start out. I'm just really behind.

Lisa Thatcher said...

Wonderful Wonderful!  Another one not on my radar!  Where would I be without this blog?  It's going on the list. Thanks for a great review.

Gareth McNamee said...

great sounding film...there are so many great films off the beaten hollywood track

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Yeah it's really weird, I have no idea what those random images are in this poster.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Definitely worth a look. Thanks Lisa!

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I agree, not the best starting point, but it is an interesting one.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Yes there are. Thanks for stopping by Gareth!

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