Directed by:
Petr SchulhoffCinematography:
Bedřich BaťkaComposer:
Václav LídlCast:
Rudolf Hrušínský, Radoslav Brzobohatý, Bohuš Záhorský, Jarmila Smejkalová, Helga Čočková, Václav Lohniský, Soběslav Sejk, Ladislav Trojan, Zdeněk Hodr (more)Plots(1)
The first part of the loose detective trilogy with Major Kalaš was based on the spy novel by Eduard Fiker Kilometer Nineteen. Although there could be seen some tendentiousness in the end – given the original novel and the year of release (relaxed political times have just begun) – it still ranks in the domestic genre production among works above average. Forensic science that is used by the criminal police to capture the perpetrator of a mysterious murder on the Czech-German border gets an unexpectedly considerable room in the film. In the roles of the chief investigators excel Rudolf Hrušínský as major Kalaš and Radoslav Brzobohatý as lieutenant Varga. Both are characterized by the minimalist approach that corresponds perfectly with the high-skilled professionals with no personal life. The third “star” of the film is cameraman Bedřich Baťka, who, with the help of expressive lighting – and with absence of a number of establishing shots – has helped to build a disturbing atmosphere of the film. (Noir Film Festival)
(more)Cast
![Rudolf Hrušínský](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/268/268155_27d6b5.jpg)
Rudolf Hrušínský
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
Higher Principle (1960)
The Elementary School (1991)
Journey into the Depth of the Student's Soul (1939)
![Radoslav Brzobohatý](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/164/427/164427085_48549e.png)
Radoslav Brzobohatý
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
Král Krysa (1979) (theatrical recording)
Lucerna (1967) (TV movie)
All My Compatriots (1968)
![Bohuš Záhorský](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/270/270439_31ce5a.jpg)
Bohuš Záhorský
Austria-Hungary
Best movies:
Higher Principle (1960)
The Emperor's Baker - The Baker's Emperor (1951)
Lucerna (1967) (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)
![Helga Čočková](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/268/268298_bb73ec.jpg)
Helga Čočková
Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia
Best movies:
Partie krásného dragouna (1970)
Scalpel, Please (1985)
Awakening (1959)
![Václav Lohniský](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/268/268136_cc0c4b.jpg)
Václav Lohniský
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
Higher Principle (1960)
Marecek, Pass Me the Pen! (1976)
Witchhammer (1969)
![Soběslav Sejk](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/271/271923_acb412.jpg)
Soběslav Sejk
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
Kočičí hra (1982) (theatrical recording)
Hamlet (1986) (theatrical recording)
Naši furianti (1983) (theatrical recording)
![Ladislav Trojan](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/268/268748_5011a9.jpg)
Ladislav Trojan
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
Waiter, Scarper! (1980)
Forbidden Dreams (1986)
Blboun (2001) (theatrical recording)
![Zdeněk Hodr](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/268/268691_1a242e.jpg)
Zdeněk Hodr
Austria-Hungary
Best movies:
Witchhammer (1969)
Mnoho povyku pro nic (1972) (theatrical recording)
The Fabulous Baron Munchausen (1961)
![Jarmila Švabíková](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/274/274860_10baf9.jpg)
Jarmila Švabíková
Austria-Hungary
Best movies:
Vajíčko (1968) (TV movie)
I Dutifully Report (1957)
The Respectable Ladies of Pardubice (1944)
![Bohuš Hradil](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/274/274311_459844.jpg)
Bohuš Hradil
Austria-Hungary
Best movies:
![Vlastimil Čaněk](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/160/886/160886960_e5851b.jpg)
Vlastimil Čaněk
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
The Assassination (1964)
You Are a Widow, Sir (1970)
Who Wants to Kill Jessie? (1966)
![Pavel Spálený](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/275/275460_c6a840.jpg)
Pavel Spálený
Austria-Hungary
Best movies:
Give the Devil His Due (1984)
Dva na koni, jeden na oslu (1977) (theatrical recording)
Lucerna (1967) (TV movie)
![Miroslav Nohýnek](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/157/949/157949245_24d624.jpg)
Miroslav Nohýnek
Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia
Best movies:
Poslední dopis (1973) (TV movie)
Muž v pozadí (1995) (series)
Signum Laudis (1980)
![Ladislav Potměšil](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/268/268576_e45a8e.jpg)
Ladislav Potměšil
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
Forbidden Dreams (1986)
Alexandr Dumas starší (1970) (series)
Brouk v hlavě (2002) (TV movie)
![Otto Šimánek](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/268/268669_c79972.jpg)
Otto Šimánek
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
Vajíčko (1968) (TV movie)
Men About Town (1969)
Invention for Destruction (1958)
![Miloš Willig](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/164/437/164437982_2215eb.jpg)
Miloš Willig
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
Witchhammer (1969)
Sňatky z rozumu (1968) (series)
The Valley of the Bees (1967)
![Vladimír Čech st.](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/277/277869_369768.jpg)
Vladimír Čech st.
Russian Empire
Best movies:
Happy End (1967)
You Are a Widow, Sir (1970)
Waterloo (1967) (TV movie)
![Vlastimil Fišar](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/276/276000_f665c4.jpg)
Vlastimil Fišar
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
Král Krysa (1979) (theatrical recording)
Přišel na večeři (1981) (theatrical recording)
Alexandr Dumas starší (1970) (series)
![Vladimír Huber](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/166/967/166967623_5986d2.jpg)
Vladimír Huber
Austria-Hungary
Best movies:
On the Trail of Blood (1969)
Funeral Ceremonies (1969)
Návrat pana Ryšánka (1971) (TV movie)