An Enemy Is at the Wheel

Country

Czechoslovakia

Copyright

1974

Production year

1974

Premiere

3 October 1975

Runtime

93 min

Director

Karel Steklý

Genre

drama

Typology

featurelong

Original title

Za volantem nepřítel

Czech title

Za volantem nepřítel

English title

An Enemy Is at the Wheel

Summary

Prague taxi service chief Mudroch (Miloš Willig) has no time for the irrational demands of his drivers for a pay rise. The drivers decide to strike and seek the support of the trade unions and “enemies of the state” in their fight against Murdoch. But the taxi firm boss is convinced that such an honest communist as himself cannot be overcome. Then saboteurs interfere with the brakes of his car… This 1974 drama made by a very old hand of filmmaking, Karel Steklý, amounts to a criticism of opponents of the contemporary regime. They are represented as indulging in dishonest intrigues in preparation for the 1968 disruption of the established political order. It is a forcible example of post-1968 “normalisation” cinema which makes use of many ideological clichés. The motion picture propagandistically presents honest comrades, corrupted long-haired citizens, taxi drivers who have no appetite for work and wicked emigrants stealing the wives of true communists. Today, the film might come across as an unintended comedy, but in its day, it clearly reflected the new doctrine of “normalisation” being pushed by the state.

Synopsis

Prague taxi drivers ask for an immoderate pay rise. Director Mudroch disapproves of their requirements, giving rise to their hostility. The drivers refuse to work and the chief dispatcher Chaluš is laughed at by them. They decide to win over director Mudroch, looking for support of anti-communists at the ministry and in the Trade Unions. On the contrary, Mudroch expects support from the ministry, but the office-holder Hlávka is not willing to burn his fingers, being threatened by anti-communist leaflets. Chaluš is aware of the company shortcomings, but his marriage problems prevail. His wife Zdena her ex-friend dates Rudolf who is back from emigration. Now, he talks her into leaving for the West with him. Mudroch struggles to cope with his new position, convinced that honest communists cannot be defeated. His hostile colleagues damage the brakes in his car. Chaluš learns from the driver Eugene that his wife is about to leave with Rudolf. He rushes to the airport with Mudroch. In the very last minute, Zdena changes her mind, leaving Rudolf at the airport. Mudroch's taxi crashed because of faulty brakes. Seriously injured Mudroch loses consciousness. His last words are: they can murder people, but they cannot win.