The Bronze Boys
Country
CzechoslovakiaCopyright
1980Production year
1980Premiere
26 June 1981Runtime
92 minDirector
Stanislav StrnadCategory
filmGenre
comedyTypology
featuretheatrical distributionlongOriginal title
Kluci z bronzuCzech title
Kluci z bronzuEnglish title
The Bronze BoysWorking title
Potlesk pro chlapySummary
The 1980 Strahov Stadium Spartakiad performance by soldiers is the focus of Kluci z bronzu (The Bronze Boys), directed by Stanislav Strnad and premièred only a year later in the summer of 1981. Thanks to support from both the Czechoslovak People’s Army and the staff of the Spartakiad, The Bronze Boys featured documentary recordings from the mass gymnastics display, interwoven with the film's fictional framework. The main protagonist is Captain Chmelař (Ladislav Mrkvička). He has trained a whole divisional unit for the performance at giant Prague stadium, despite grappling with numerous obstacles along the way. These include the consequences of his own disciplinary lapses brought about by his relationship with schoolteacher Eva (Jitka Smutná). Chmelař decides to leave the army despite being useful and a favourite, but he is fortunately made to reconsider following the success of his loyal “boys” at Strahov. The high optimism presented by this film is counterbalanced by Věra Chytilová's documentary Praha – Neklidné srdce Evropy (Prague – The Restless Heart of Europe, 1984). It uses archive footage of the second performance, during which the soldiers went through their routine in a Strahov quagmire.
Synopsis
Military are performing their difficult "Spartakiad" sports composition (National gymnastics festival) at the Strahov stadium in Prague. Major Melichar and major Rybár have been proudly watching the soldier, sharing the joy over the large applause by the audience. Only captain Chmelař is missing, who was successfully preparing the division unit for their performance. It was not an easy job. The composition was demanding, and major Melichar insisted that the soldiers must not neglect any of their regular military duties. Chmelař was exposed to high pressure during the training, he often was late due to a date with his beloved girlfriend Eva, having to face discrepancies with the soldiers, with his family, as well as with uncompromising major Melichar. h He asked for being transferred to another military unit, but his application had been rejected. The soldiers, however, like Chmelař and respect him, and this is why they are trying to perform at their best at the Spartakiad. They undergo even the compulsory tanning sessions with no objections. Only Chmelař had bad luck. He injured his leg and only could watch the performance on TV at hospital. Nevertheless, he feels happy, changing his mind on leaving his division.
Note
Documentaries of the 1980 Spartakiad (National gymnastics festival) have been used in the movie.
Photos
Cast
Ladislav Mrkvička
kapitán Radek Chmelař, tělovýchovný náčelník pluku
Jaroslav Drbohlav
desátník Oldřich Rais
Bronislav Križan
major Vlado Rybár
Josef Langmiler
major Jiří Melichar
Vlastimil Zavřel
vojín Taraba
Ladislav Trojan
rotmistr Ivo Srdínko
Dana Batulková
Voice by Sylva Sequensová
Renata, Chmelařova dcera
Jitka Smutná
učitelka Eva Hošková, Chmelařova přítelkyně
Petr Skarke
kapitán Josef Krupička
Jindřich Hrdý
desátník Štefan Benčík
Jan Cmíral ml.
vojín Doubrava
Roman Hájek
vojín Záboj Kos
Jiří Prager
vojín Evžen Kocourek
Daniel Rous
svobodník Mojmír Hrubeš
Jitka Malíková
redaktorka Gabriela
Miriam Kantorková
podporučík Zdena Skořepová
František Hanus
generálmajor, velitel divize
Miroslav Zounar
vojenský lékař
Jan Kuželka
vojín Bohouš Kořínek, kuchař
Ladislav Chromík
kapitán, náčelník štábu
Jiří Sequens ml.
vojín Pípal
Tomáš Juřička
vojín Nováček
Roman Skamene
pomocník dozorčího
Alena Kreuzmannová
vrátná ubytovny
Zita Kabátová
Kocourková, Evženova matka
Miroslav Vladyka
uklízeč v nemocnici
Vladimír Krška
lékař
Vladimír Klemens
stařík u tělocvičny
Mirko Musil
recepční
Ivo Niederle
pacient u televize
Zdena Burdová
zdravotní sestra
Karel Fořt
správce Kazda
Petr Lepša
vojín Dymák
Radka Majerová
spojařka Olinka, Krupičkova přítelkyně
Jiřina Bílá
sousedka
Alena Frimlová
sousedka
Zdeněk David
vojín Burda, kuchař
Antonín Hausknecht
řidič
Jiří Kalenský
řidič
Dalibor Lipský
řidič ve škole
Otakar Němec
řidič osobního vozu
Crew and creators
Director
Second Unit Director
Helena Rohanová
Assistant Director
Continuity
Screenstory
Screenplay
Shooting Script
Dramaturg
Director of Photography
Second Unit Photography
Camera Operator
Production Designer
Assistent Production Designer
Set Designer
Jaroslav Česal, Jan Hodný, Karel Kočí
Costume Designer
Costumes
Make-Up Artist
Film Editor
Assistant Film Editor
Sound Designer
Production Manager
Unit Production Manager
Unit Production Manager
Ivana Chobotová
Consultant
pplk. Jan Hrachovský, pplk. Karel Klečka
Cooperation
Alice Kracíková (klapka), Miroslav Jirsa (fotograf), Československá lidová armáda, štáb Čs. spartakiády 1980
Music
Music Composed by
Music Performed by
FISYO, Orchestr Václava Hybše (Music Conducted by Václav Hybš)
Production info
Original Title
Kluci z bronzu
Czech Title
Kluci z bronzu
English Title
The Bronze Boys
Working Title
Potlesk pro chlapy
Category
film
Typology
featuretheatrical distribution
Genre
comedy
Origin country
Czechoslovakia
Copyright
1980
Production Year
1980
Production specifications
literary Screenplay approved 12 May 1980
start of filming 18 June 1980
technical Screenplay approved 24 July 1980
end of filming 19 December 1980
projection approval 30 December 1980
withdrawal from distribution 30 June 1990
Premiere
premiere 26 June 1981 /suitable for youths/
Production
Copyright Holders
Studio
Distribution
Creative Group
Dramaturgická skupina Miroslava Hladkého, Miroslav Hladký (vedoucí dramaturgické skupiny)
Technical info
Duration typology
feature film
Duration in minutes
92 min
Original length in metres
2 640 meters
Distribution carrier
16mm, 35mm
Aspect ratio
1:1,37
Colour
colour
Sound
sound
Sound system/format
mono
Versions
Czech
Dialogue languages
Czech
Subtitles languages
without subtitles
Opening/End credits languages
Czech
