Signum Laudis
Country
CzechoslovakiaCopyright
1980Production year
1979—1980Premiere
31 October 1980Runtime
85 minDirector
Martin HollýCategory
filmGenre
dramaTypology
featuretheatrical distributionlongOriginal title
Signum laudisCzech title
Signum laudisEnglish title
Signum LaudisSummary
Directed by Martin Hollý, Signum laudis (1980) is a drama set during the First World War, whose central protagonist is a fanatical commander who has no qualms about sending his soldiers off to die in the name of victory for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Corporal Hoferik is even decorated with the Signum laudis, the Austrian Military Medal of Merit. Decorated or not, the corporal’s subordinates despise Hoferik – and when push comes to shove, the corporal’s superiors begin to feel the same way, preferring to end the desperate situation of the troops on the Russian front via a timely surrender. But capitulation is intolerable for the corporal. And so the only path towards surrender and capture by the enemy is through the death of Hoferika, who is completely mystified about why he has been subjected to a court martial… Screenwriter Jiří Křižan (along with Vladimír Kalina, who devised the story) played a major part in ensuring the success of this psychological drama, replete with the theme of futile obsession about a perceived military “mission”. Asides from this work, Křižan’s 1970s filmography is also dominated by Stíny horkého léta (Shadows of a Hot Summer, 1977) directed by František Vláčil. Featuring a terrific leading performance from Slovak actor Vlado Müller, Signum laudis was awarded the Grand Prize at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. Despite the film’s subtext being critical of the authoritarian regime of the time, screenwriter Křižan was nonetheless nominated for the Klement Gottwald State Award. But the writer ultimately declined this award, because it was named after a man who had signed his father’s death sentence. This gesture inevitably meant that the screenwriter was blocked from future work at Prague's Barrandov film studios, but he was able to have scripts filmed at Gottwaldov Film Studios (today Zlín) and in Slovakia. Křižan also collaborated with director Martin Hollý on Mrtví učia živých (The Dead Teach the Living, 1983) and Tichá bolest (Silent Pain, 1990). Despite the film being a cooperation between Barrandov and Slovakia’s Bratislava Film Studios, it is primarily Czech actors that appear in Signum laudis. Josef Bláha plays commander König, Ilja Prachař the would-be general Berger, and Radovan Lukavský general Gross.
Synopsis
On the battlefield of the Russian front during the World War I a heavy battle is going on. The command after the killed officers is taken over by Corporal Hoferik who pushes the offensive despite vast casualty. After the offensive is over the regiment is withdrawn to the rear just behind the front line. The fanatic Corporal, convinced that he is fulfilling the commands of his superiors, demands the soldiers perform all the time absurd activities. The soldiers hate him for his eagerness. The Regiment Commander Ziegler awaits with fear a visit of the staff headed with a new unable chief, General Berger with whom he does not have good relations. Berger comes with the old General Gross, Adjutant Kostolány, Colonel Reznitzek and the war reporter Wimmer. These men do not know much about the life at the front. Berger hands over to Hoferik a prestigious decoration Signum laudis. The Corporal is very happy, he gets drunk and he offers brandy to his soldiers. But they don't want to drink with him. The following day is the farm where the troop is sitting, surrounded by the enemy. Following Hoferik's advice Berger sends the regiment to the battle and nearly the entire regiment is decimated. The staff with couple of remaining soldiers try to escape without being noticed. On the march it is Hoferik who makes most decisions. General Gross is killed in a sudden skirmish. After a tiresome journey through a swamp where Corporal shouts even on his superiors, they find a shelter in a derelict arbour where they overnight. In the morning the officers decide to surrender. The only obstacle is the fanatic Hoferik. They prepare a martial court to get rid of Hoferik. They accuse the Corporal of the death of Gross and other soldiers and they sentence him to death penalty. Hoferik who does not understand anything is shot. In another unnecessary fight the remaining soldiers lose their lives. The Austrian-Hungarian officers are walking over a green meadow, one of them is carrying a white handkerchief on a club.
Photos
Cast
Vlado Müller
kaprál Adalbert Hoferik
Josef Bláha
hejtman Bruno König
Ilja Prachař
generál Friedrich Berger, velitel
Radovan Lukavský
generál Friedrich Gross
Jiří Kodet
lajtnant baron Kostolány, Bergerův adjutant
Oldřich Velen
obrst Reznitzek
Ladislav Frej
obrstlajtnant Rudolf Ziegler, velitel pluku
Pavel Zedníček
feldvébl J. A. Wimmer, dopisovatel Kronzeitungu
Miroslav Zounar
lajtnant Hans von Pallawski
Jan Skopeček
Reischl zvaný Fotr
Jiří Zahajský
gefrajtr Lorisch
Jana Břežková
Hedwiga
Anna Wetlinská
hraběnka Laskowiská
Vítězslav Jandák
infanterista Müller
Jan Pohan
infanterista Steiner
Jiří Krampol
infanterista Konopásek
Ivan Palúch
infanterista Pirkenbaum
Jiří Kodeš
infanterista Richter
Zdeněk Dušek
infanterista Kostka
Milan Klacek
Voice by Miroslav Nohýnek
burš Franz Hoppe
Jan Kotva
voják-kočí
Rudolf Hrušínský ml.
voják-kočí
Viktor Maurer
malý mužík
Eva Asterová
Kateřina
Karel Bělohradský
Sepp Niemayer, burš generála Berge
Zdeněk Braunschläger
radista
Jan Cmíral ml.
hrobař
Miroslav Vladyka
hrobař
Jan Laibl
lékař
Zdeněk Novotný
feldkurát
Ivan Pokorný
infanterista Horák
Ladislav Dušek
infanterista Fügner
Miloslav Šindler
telefonista
Milan Tichý
holohlavý
Luděk Kopřiva
Žid, otec Hedwigy
Jan Kačmáček
šikovatel Stoklasa
Karel Hovorka
voják
Pavel Lehotský
voják
Vladimír Navrátil
voják
Vít Pešina
voják
Ludvík Pozník
voják
Rudolf Serina
voják
Arnošt Böhm
voják
Petr Drozda
voják
Karel Engel
voják
Antonín Hausknecht
voják
Josef Hrubý
voják
František Jákl
voják
Vladimír Ježek (3)
voják
Miroslav Jíra
voják
Vladimír Kaisr
voják
Jiří Kalenský
voják
Jaroslav Klenot
voják
Jiří Klenot
voják
Zdeněk Krumpl
voják
Ladislav Lahoda
voják
Pavel Myslík
voják
Otakar Němec
voják
Jindřich Sejk
voják
František Stupka
voják
Jaroslav Šanda
voják
Jaroslav Tomsa
voják
Stanislav Tůma
voják
Jiří Vach
voják
Jaroslav Vlk
voják
Pavel Želízko
voják
Jan Baloga
voják na koni
Jan Hrad
voják na koni
Tomáš Kydlíček
voják na koni
Crew and creators
Director
Second Unit Director
Assistant Director
Continuity
Screenstory
Screenplay
Shooting Script
Dramaturg
Director of Photography
Second Unit Photography
Vladimír Smutný, Michal Krob
Camera Operator
Production Designer
Assistent Production Designer
Set Designer
Miloslav Dvořák, Jiří Forst, Milan Šilha, Miroslav Fára
Costume Designer
Costumes
Make-Up Artist
Film Editor
Assistant Film Editor
Sound Designer
Special Effects
Stunts
Jan Baloga, Arnošt Böhm, Petr Drozda, Karel Engel, Antonín Hausknecht, Jan Hrad, Josef Hrubý, František Jákl, Vladimír Ježek (3), Miroslav Jíra, Vladimír Kaisr, Jiří Kalenský, Jaroslav Klenot, Jiří Klenot, Zdeněk Krumpl, Tomás Kydlíček, Ladislav Lahoda, Pavel Myslík, Otakar Němec, Jindřich Sejk, František Stupka, Jaroslav Šanda, Jaroslav Tomsa, Stanislav Tůma, Jiří Vach, Jaroslav Vlk, Pavel Želízko
Production Manager
Unit Production Manager
Ludmila Venclíková, Milan Štěch
Unit Production Manager
Ivan Helcl, Irena Sedláčková
Consultant
Zbyšek Svoboda, František Michálek (jezdectví)
Cooperation
Lenka Mojžíšová (klapka), Václav Beneš (fotograf)
Music
Music Composed by
Music Performed by
FISYO (Music Conducted by František Belfín)
Production info
Original Title
Signum laudis
Czech Title
Signum laudis
English Title
Signum Laudis
Category
film
Typology
featuretheatrical distribution
Genre
drama
Origin country
Czechoslovakia
Copyright
1980
Production Year
1979—1980
Production specifications
literary Screenplay approved 3 September 1979
start of filming 18 September 1979
technical Screenplay approved 4 October 1979
end of filming 9 April 1980
projection approval 21 April 1980
the first film copy approved 11 June 1980
Premiere
premiere 31 October 1980 /unsuitable for youths/
Copyright Holders
Studio
Distribution
Creative Group
Dramaturgická skupina Vladimíra Kaliny, Vladimír Kalina (vedoucí dramaturgické skupiny), II. tvorivá skupina Moniky Gajdošovej (SFT Bratislava), Monika Gajdošová (vedoucí II. tvorivé skupiny SFT Bratislava)
Technical info
Duration typology
feature film
Duration in minutes
85 min
Original length in metres
2 424 meters
Distribution carrier
16mm, 35mm
Aspect ratio
1:1,37
Colour
colour
Sound
sound
Sound system/format
mono
Versions
Czech
Dialogue languages
Czech, German
Subtitles languages
without subtitles
Opening/End credits languages
Czech
Awards
Vítěz
Festival: 4. festival českých a slovenských filmů FINÁLE Plzeň
1990
Plzeň / Czechoslovakia
Vítěz
Event: 9. ročník ankety Film a divadlo „Komu dáte svůj hlas?“
1982
Bratislava / Czechoslovakia
Vlado Müller
Vítěz
Festival: 19. festival českých a slovenských filmů Kladno
1981
Kladno / Czechoslovakia
Zdeněk Liška
Vítěz
Event: Státní ceny Klementa Gottwalda
1981
Praha / Czechoslovakia
kolektiv tvůrců filmu
Vítěz
Festival: 22. mezinárodní filmový festival Karlovy Vary
1980
Karlovy Vary / Czechoslovakia
