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Release Date: 28th September 2015
Format: Dual Format Blu-ray & DVD
Starring: Jan Vostrčil, Josef Sebánek, Josef Valnoha
Directed by: Miloš Forman

It’s the annual firemen’s ball in a small Czech town, and the organisers decide to liven up the usually dull event with a raffle and a beauty contest. But with the former plagued by thievery and the latter by bribery, the event rapidly descends into farce – and that’s before a fire breaks out…

The last film that Miloš Forman (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Amadeus) made in his native country and language, The Firemen’s Ball is a sparkling comedy that’s also one of the best showcases of the director’s uncanny ability to extract flawless performances out of an entirely non-professional cast largely made up of actual firemen.

It was nominated for an Oscar, but the Czech Communist authorities were so convinced that it was a satirical allegory about official incompetence that the film was officially “banned forever”, or at least until the 1989 Velvet Revolution. It’s now regarded as one of the greatest of all Czech films.

SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS:

• New 4K restoration by the Czech National Film Archive
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
• Original Czech soundtrack in uncompressed PCM mono audio
• Optional English subtitles
• Appreciation by Czech film expert David Sorfa
• Archival interviews with director Miloš Forman, cinematographer Miroslav Ondříček and co-writer Ivan Passer
• 'New Wave Faces': Michael Brooke salutes the non-professional actors who made an indelible impression on 1960s Czech cinema
• Reversible sleeve featuring two pieces of artwork from the original release

DETAILS:

Region: Free
Rating: PG
Cat No: FCD1150
Duration: 73 mins
Language: Czech
Subtitles: English
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: LPCM mono
Discs: 2
Colour[/quote]

The Beaver review of the Criterion DVD shows a poster with a fire-spitting fireman. Is it too late to suggest that this be the reversible sleeve for the Arrow keepcase?

PS.: A nice appreciation of the film by Ed Howard is here.

Probably my favourite announcement today (despite itching for Zardoz and grinning at Hard To Be A God). I love Forman, and have always wanted to see his pre-Hollywood stuff...also glad we're finally getting some Czech cinema on UK Blu-ray!

I am very excited about this one, as well as 'Closely Observed Trains'. Hats off to you Michael for your efforts in bringing these to fruition.

I just saw 'Taking off' for the first time (on the Park Circus bluray, which I thought was very nice), and despite some awkward dialogue here and there (which I assume it had something to do with it being Forman's first film in English), I though it was a terrifically entertaining and funny film.

Is there any lieklihood of "Love of a Blond" being put out by Arrow on blu, or are the rights for that held by Second Sight?

Second Run, so no. The only Czech Forman that doesn't appear to be spoken for is Black Peter.

MichaelB wrote:Second Run, so no. The only Czech Forman that doesn't appear to be spoken for is Black Peter.

OK, thank you... I wonder if it will be possible for Criterion to release it on bluray, assuming they still have rights. Is there a HD version available?

A quick review roundup:

Blueprint
Caps-a-holic
Front Row Reviews
Pissed Off Geek
The Popcorn Muncher

Although this has been my favourite reaction so far.

My birthday today and have a feeling I'll be getting a copy of this. Might watch it back-to-back with Park Circus' Taking Off at the weekend!

The Beev seems reasonably happy.

Can't wait to get this. One of the all-time favorites. Judging from the screen-caps Arrow's Blu offers a tremendous improvement. The extras sound wonderful too. Thank you, Michael & Co!

Criterioncast.com.

I have this, by the way, and can confirm it's region free

jazzo wrote:I have this, by the way, and can confirm it's region free

My bad! Post has been updated, thanks for the correction.

I was delighted to open my copy today and find a booklet with a Peter Hames essay! This wasn't indicated on Arrow's website so it was a nice surprise. Great package overall and the faithful restoration is quite beautiful.

Got this for Christmas and must watch soon.

Is getting the booklet always a crap-shoot with older releases such as this one? I had read somewhere that if it's the dual-format edition, it always has the booklet, but this release is almost 3 years old. However, Amazon still has the dual-format edition listed in their store. Any insight on this?

I think you're thinking of Indicator. It is a crapshoot with Arrow.