Directed by:
Václav KrškaScreenplay:
Oldřich DaněkCinematography:
Jaroslav TuzarComposer:
Jan F. FischerCast:
Karel Höger, Dana Medřická, Jarmila Smejkalová, Alena Kreuzmannová, Bedřich Vrbský, Svatopluk Matyáš, Jaromír Spal, František Kreuzmann st. (more)Plots(1)
In 1958, after making a series of biographical films, director Václav Krška recorded an uncompromising snapshot of the contemporary present day based on a screenplay by Oldřich Daněk. Karel Höger portrayed another one of his "torn-apart intellectuals", this time as an engineer named Štěrba, who, in the beginning of the film, seems to groundlessly reject an important proposal by his young colleague. Only gradually do we begin to understand the reasons for Štěrba's hostile behaviour towards his environment and his inclination towards alcohol. The film was so suggestive and critical that, shortly after the infamous Banská Bystrica conference, it ended up locked away in a safe for several years. Although today some elements (e.g. the music) seem relatively archaic, the film Scars of the Past remains one of the most important works of Czechoslovak post-war cinema. The voiceover by the main character, the oblique cinematography which illustrates his frame of mind, the series of night scenes, the play of light and shadow, the femme fatale... all these things entitle us to include Krška's film in the noir cycle. (Noir Film Festival)
(more)Cast
![Karel Höger](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/268/268633_4951bd.jpg)
Karel Höger
Austria-Hungary
Best movies:
Malér (1965) (TV movie)
Půlpenny (1974) (TV movie)
The Fabulous Baron Munchausen (1961)
![Dana Medřická](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/268/268983_2bfaf7.jpg)
Dana Medřická
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
Kočičí hra (1982) (theatrical recording)
Sňatky z rozumu (1968) (series)
Půlpenny (1974) (TV movie)
![Jarmila Smejkalová](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/268/268461_573b0c.jpg)
Jarmila Smejkalová
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
Vajíčko (1968) (TV movie)
Krvavá svatba (1987) (theatrical recording)
The Poacher's Foster Daughter or Noble Millionaire (1949)
![Alena Kreuzmannová](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/633/163633444_a74748.jpg)
Alena Kreuzmannová
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
How to Get Dad Into Reform School (1978) (TV movie)
Invention for Destruction (1958)
The Good Soldier Schweik (1956)
![Bedřich Vrbský](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/274/274361_0c7289.jpg)
Bedřich Vrbský
Austria-Hungary
Best movies:
The Good Soldier Schweik (1956)
I Dutifully Report (1957)
Krakatit (1948)
![Svatopluk Matyáš](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/272/272651_4ad7db.jpg)
Svatopluk Matyáš
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
Riders in the Sky (1968)
All My Loved Ones (1999)
Návštěva z vesmíru (1977) (TV movie)
![Jaromír Spal](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/275/275196_d733e7.jpg)
Jaromír Spal
Austria-Hungary
Best movies:
Vajíčko (1968) (TV movie)
Sňatky z rozumu (1968) (series)
Půlpenny (1974) (TV movie)
![František Kreuzmann st.](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/270/270437_286c58.jpg)
František Kreuzmann st.
Austria-Hungary
Best movies:
Lišák Pseudolus (1960) (TV movie)
Journey into the Depth of the Student's Soul (1939)
School Is the Foundation of Life (1938)
![Oldřich Janovský](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/493/163493655_bc9b99.jpg)
Oldřich Janovský
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
Sňatky z rozumu (1968) (series)
Larks on a String (1969)
Zločin lorda Savila (1967) (TV movie)
![Felix le Breux](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/274/274469_18732a.jpg)
Felix le Breux
Austria-Hungary
Best movies:
Invention for Destruction (1958)
The Emperor's Baker - The Baker's Emperor (1951)
The Good Soldier Schweik (1956)
Václav Všelicha
Austria-Hungary
Best movies:
Passing Through a Thick Forest (1963)
Scars of the Past (1958)
A Local Romance (1958)
![Otakar Brousek st.](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/268/268153_ddf27c.jpg)
Otakar Brousek st.
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
Cyrano z Bergeracu (1986) (theatrical recording)
Král Krysa (1979) (theatrical recording)
Muž v pozadí (1995) (series)
![Václav Vydra ml.](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/268/268194_bda1ed.jpg)
Václav Vydra ml.
Austria-Hungary
Best movies:
The Good Soldier Schweik (1956)
O věcech nadpřirozených (1958)
The Minister's Girlfriends (1940)
![Eduard Dubský](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/274/274455_8980c7.jpg)
Eduard Dubský
Austria-Hungary
Best movies:
Sňatky z rozumu (1968) (series)
The Assassination (1964)
Conscience (1948)
![Vladimír Leraus](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/274/274547_aba9a6.jpg)
Vladimír Leraus
Austria-Hungary
Best movies:
The Emperor's Baker - The Baker's Emperor (1951)
The Good Soldier Schweik (1956)
Alena (1947)
![Oldřich Lukeš](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/274/274256_d3dd54.jpg)
Oldřich Lukeš
Austria-Hungary
Best movies:
Lemonade Joe (1964)
The Assassination (1964)
Happy End (1967)
![Pavla Maršálková](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/272/272673_020f5a.jpg)
Pavla Maršálková
Austria-Hungary
Best movies:
Svatební cesta do Jiljí (1983) (TV movie)
Closely Observed Trains (1966)
Dařbuján a Pandrhola (1959)
![Svatopluk Skládal](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/268/268670_a81361.jpg)
Svatopluk Skládal
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
Cyrano z Bergeracu (1986) (theatrical recording)
Král Krysa (1979) (theatrical recording)
All My Compatriots (1968)
![Jiří Mikota](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/275/275758_b3ef1f.jpg)
Jiří Mikota
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
Dva na koni, jeden na oslu (1977) (theatrical recording)
Merlin aneb Pustá zem (1988) (theatrical recording)
Panoptikum Města pražského (1987) (series)
![Jaroslav Heyduk](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/268/268664_b844a2.jpg)
Jaroslav Heyduk
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
Byl jednou jeden dům (1974) (series)
The White Lady (1965)
Funeral Ceremonies (1969)