The Tank Battalion

It is 1953. The military drilling of the seventh tank battalion is an upleasant nuisance for the soldiers doing their national service. But their superiors – Major Borovička, called Tiny Devil, Captain Matka and First Lieutenant Růžička – revel in nonsensical bullying. The only exception is First Lieutenant Pinkas, a former soldier at the Western front. Staff-Sergeant Danny Smiřický often dreams about his reserved love, Lizetka. But as soon as he sees Janinka, Pinkas' wife, reciting Wolker's poem The Letter Box during the rehearsal for the Fučík's Badge competition, he offers to escort her. They become lovers very soon. Borovička catches a soldier, Malina, in a prison cell having wild sex with Sergeant Babinčáková. He wants to let off steam on Danny who, however, claims that he will complain about the major. From then on, Tiny Devil hates Danny. The next military drill, overseen by a Soviet consultant, ends ingloriously. The short-sighted Maňas points the tank barrel at the podium where the battalion officers drink vodka with the consultant. Danny, fearing for Janinka, leaves the troop preliminarily. He is caught by Borovička and sentenced to prison. From there, he is reclaimed by doctor Mlejnek arguing that Smiřický is suffering from gonorrhoea. A party is held by those ending their national service. Danny sneaks away to say goodbye to Janička who loves him but does not want to leave her husband. The soldiers before them start singing derisive songs about the army. The officers respond by singing bolshevik tunes. Borovička, furious, pulls out his gun and starts shooting. He then runs out to bring reinforcements. Outside, he falls into a cesspit which the soldiers have uncovered, and drowns in the slops. Danny witnesses his degrading end. In front of Danny, Pinkas tears up the scathing reference previously written by Borovička about Danny. Danny sets off for home – to freedom? It is 1953, after all.