Larks on a String

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Larks on a String ★★★½ 1968

Banned for 23 years, this wonderful film is Menzel's masterpiece, even better than his Oscar winning “Closely Watched Trains.” Portrays the story of life in labor camps where men and women are re-educated at the whim of the government. No matter what the hardships, these people find humor, hope and love. Their individuality will not be lost, nor their humanity dissolved. Excellent performances, tellingly directed with a beautiful sense of composition and tone. Screenplay written by Menzel and Bohumil Hrabil, author of the short story on which it is based. In Czech with English subtitles. 96m/C VHS . CZ Vaclav Neckar, Jitka Zelenohorska, Jaroslav Satoransky, Rudolf Hrusinsky; D: Jiri Menzel; W: Jiri Menzel.