I got an opportunity to see this film when I was in UK during 2001-'02. I have borrowed VHS cassette of this film from local library. Before that I have no idea about Czech new wave cinema or Jiri Menzel. After seeing this film, I could not able to resist myself to see this film again and again. The film script was well-written, fantastic performance by all actors especially the actor who acted as Milos. The photography is Black-White magic (nice DVD transfer - still you can see can the freshness of movie print). The music is also fantastic, especially the music which comes during the scene where Milos had taken by the SS Army people. Three months before I have been to USA and first thing I did was order this DVD in Amazon.com. I have seen this DVD 7-10 times after I bought this.