Before Graduation

Country

Czechoslovakia

Copyright

1932

Production year

1932

Premiere

9 September 1932

Runtime

102 min

Category

film

Genre

drama

Typology

featuretheatrical distributionlong

Original title

Před maturitou

Czech title

Před maturitou

English title

Before Graduation

Synopsis

Pupils are preparing for their school-leaving examinations although they have a far from ideal relationship with their mathematics teacher, Kleč. They have a good relationship, however, with professor Donát. Jan Šimon, a gifted student, is sharing accommodation with Karel Kafka who has difficulties with his maths. Jan has plenty of time for sport and meetings with Minerva pupil Marta, while Karel has to sit long hours over his books. The conflict between the pupils and Kleč comes to a head during a school outing. The latter intends to have Šimon expelled from school. Donát dissuades Šimon from running away. Kafka fails his mathematics exam and is determined to commit suicide using Šimon's revolver. Professor Kleč tries to take the gun off him and is shot in the process. Neither he nor the other pupils testify against him. Kleč, shaken by what has happened, realises as he lies in hospital the mistake he made in his behaviour towards his pupils and he requests that Šimon and Kafka come and visit him. Both pupils have now been expelled from the school but they are able to take their examinations at another school.

Cast

Jindřich Plachta

profesor Kleč

František Smolík

profesor Donát

Antonín Novotný

student Jan Šimon

Miroslav Svoboda

student Karel Kafka

Gustav Hilmar

Kafkův otec

Eliška Pleyová

profesorka Jansová, třídní sexty z Minervy

Věra Gabrielová

sextánka Marta

Zora Myslivečková

sextánka Eva

Bedřich Vrbský

policejní komisař

Bohdan Lachman

ředitel gymnázia

Bolek Prchal

profesor

Elmar Klos

student

František Čáp

student žalující na výletě

Ota Kučera

student

Jan Vyskočil (2)

student

Miloš Midloch

student

Jarka Ženatý

student

Vladimír Čech

student Čermák

Anatanas Varnas

student

Zdeněk Zach

student

Irena Novožilová

studentka

Bobina Horká

studentka

Součková

studentka

J. O. Martin

profesor matematiky na jiném ústavu

Josef Steigl

pacient se zlomenou nohou

František Kovářík

pacient tulák Kopřiva

dr. Nedoma

lékař

Otakar Mrkvička

asistent lékaře

Václav Pecián

zřízenec v nemocnici

Josef Oliak

inspektor Zemské školní rady

Vlastimil Borovička

student

Krüger

student

Pilný

student

Crew and creators

Screenplay

Josef Neuberg

Director of Photography

Otto Heller (interiéry), Václav Vích (exteriéry)

Camera Operator

Josef Střecha

Sound Designer

Josef Zora

Production Manager

Julius Schmitt

Music

Music Composed by

E. F. Burian

Songs

Chlupatý kaktus /Kaktus/ (slowfox)

Song Composer E. F. Burian
Writer of Lyrics Josef Gruss
Singer E. F. Burian

Chtěl bych být opicí /Opice/ (foxtrot)

Song Composer E. F. Burian
Writer of Lyrics E. F. Burian
Singer E. F. Burian

Lidé chodí po nábřeží a zpátky /Petřín/ (waltz)

Song Composer E. F. Burian
Writer of Lyrics Vítězslav Nezval
Singer E. F. Burian

Production info

Original Title

Před maturitou

Czech Title

Před maturitou

English Title

Before Graduation

Category

film

Typology

featuretheatrical distribution

Genre

drama

Origin country

Czechoslovakia

Copyright

1932

Production Year

1932

Production specifications

date of censorship 08/1932
date of censorship 11/1947
withdrawal from distribution 1 March 1957
withdrawal from distribution 31 December 1991

Premiere

premiere 9 September 1932 /unsuitable for youths/ (kina Kotva /5 týdnů/ a Lucerna /5 týdnů/, Praha)
renewed premiere 13 November 1947 /suitable for youths/

Production

AB

Copyright Holders

Národní filmový archiv

Laboratories

AB

Distribution

AB (původní 1932), Státní půjčovna filmů (obnovená 1947)

Technical info

Duration typology

feature film

Duration in minutes

102 min

Original length in metres

2 900 meters

Distribution carrier

35mm

Aspect ratio

1:1,19

Colour

black & white

Sound

sound

Sound system/format

Tobis – Klang

Versions

Czech

Dialogue languages

Czech

Subtitles languages

without subtitles

Opening/End credits languages

Czech

Awards

Vítěz

Event: Stuhy časopisu Český filmový zpravodaj

1933
Praha / Czechoslovakia
AB