The Firemen's Ball

The Firemen's Ball

A colorful comedy, in which people dance, steal and extinguish the fire.

7.0

The firemen of a provincial Czechoslovakian town throw a ball in honor of the old chief's retirement. There will be music and dancing, a beauty pageant and a raffle. The whole town will be in attendance. However, the proceedings are dogged by difficulty at every step. Workplace injuries, stolen prizes, a shortage of pretty girls... and fire.

  • Runtime: 73 minutes
  • Release Date: December 15, 1967
  • Status: Released
  • Languages: Czech
  • Production: Filmové studio Barrandov, Carlo Ponti Cinematografica
  • Production Countries: Czechoslovakia, Italy
Comedy

Cast

Reviews

  • deepkino

    deepkino

    7

    September 26, 2025

    deepkino

    Miloš Forman's final film in the Czech language is a pure critique of bureaucracy. Set entirely at a banquet honoring a dying, 86-year-old former fire chief, it masterfully depicts the event's descent into fiasco. The film exposes the decay of Czechoslovak society and its so-called socialism, making the audience smile and even laugh, all without ever compromising its sharp comedic edge. It is a rare work that brilliantly critiques authority through humor.

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