Search - Loves of a Blonde [Criterion Collection] on DVD

Content Advisory: Adult Situations, Questionable for Children, Adult Humor Movie Release: 1965 DVD Release: 02/12/2002 Format: DVD - Black and White,Pan and Scan Edition: Restored/Remastered,Special Collection Audio Tracks: Czech Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 25 mins Studio: Criterion Members Wishing: 22 Genres: Comedy Drama, Satire, Black Comedy, Comedy of Manners See Also: Essential Art House: Loves of a Blonde [Criterion Collection]

Out in the Czech countryside, a shoe factory owner petitions the People's Army to station a division of soldiers in his town, where the women outnumber the men sixteen to one. The arrival of the troops is greeted with great excitement, but the girls in the town are disappointed to see that the men are older reservists, and not the strapping young men they'd envisioned. Still, when a band plays at the local pub, the girls show up to be ogled by the older men, many of whom are married. A trio of reservists sends a bottle of wine to Andula (Hana Brejchova), Marie (Marie Salacova), and Jana (Jana Novakova), and the girls argue over whether or not to acknowledge the gesture. But Andula catches the eye of the comparatively dashing young pianist, Milda (Vladimir Pucholt). Milda convinces Andula to go to his room, where he seduces the mildly reluctant girl. The next morning, the traveling musician assures her repeatedly, "I do not have a girlfriend in Prague." Milda leaves town, as expected, but Andula has fallen in love with him, and decides to journey to Prague to track him down. A low-key black-and-white ensemble comedy, Loves of a Blonde was cast predominantly with non-professional actors. The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, drew a lot of attention to the "Czech New Wave," and jumpstarted the international filmmaking career of director Milos Forman (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest). ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide

Hana Brejchova - Andula
Vladimir Pucholt - Milda
Vladimir Mensik - Vacovsky
Antonin Blazejovsky - Tonda
Jiri Hruby - Burda

Like the Criterion Collection's disc for The Fireman's Ball, Milos Forman's Loves of a Blonde is one of the great Czech films from the 1960s. Delightful, funny, satirical, melancholic, and wonderfully subversive, Forman managed to create his own contribution to New Wave cinema. The film became a success overseas, garnering the director a career that stretched beyond the iron curtain, eventually leading to his move to his permanent move to the States. The disc is great, offering up the film in a new digitally remastered transfer. The full-screen picture (1.33:1) is excellent, as is the Czech language mono soundtrack. Optional English subtitles are also available. The disc also contains an informative and very nice video interview with Forman, as well as a deleted scene. Liner notes from film critic Dave Kehr have also been included. ~ Derek Hill, All Movie Guide