My exact words as he went down in the water.I was so happy when he took out his inflatable and I knew he was going to save Frantisek.
But I didn't know that entailed dying!
The young fellow who got his love stolen by his friend is the one that dies.
Then Frantisek heads home and both his loves are taken by someone else. Even his dog!
So sad!
Many Czech movies, and many foreign films don't have happy endings, as it is an American device in movies to be happily ever after (remember "The Player?"). Czechs have learned through the centuries to be more pessimistic and is reflected in many Czech movies, like the ending in Closely Watched Trains, or the commentary on Czechs in Hori Ma Panenko (Fireman's Ball).
That's one of the greatest things about non-American films, and especially Czech films.
Czechs tell stories with a lot of dark, unhappy parts, often while laughing at it all. I imagine that comes from a long history of being in the middle of a battle ground, or being oppressed. Laughing about unhappiness may be the only way to cope.
The point of the film, at least in part, was that World War II and its aftermath destroyed hte lives of countless people. Even those who suffered greatly, were very heroic, and survived against the odds did not necessarily enjoy the fruits of victory. Karel dies young in battle and Franta went home only to suffer under the Communists (possibly to die in prison, the ending leaves that open). Not a pretty picture.
shareI bet the wife cheats on t the new husband before long. The kid was really honorable.
shareHis friend was not worth him dying for, I was glad he got dumped at the end.
shareI was pretty surprised by Karel's crash as well! And by the way everything fell apart for Franta in the end (new girlfriend - old girl friend - dog - jail). I love that this film highlights the way the Communists treated the Czech pilots who fought against the Nazis when they came home. This is not well know.
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