Wild Beasts (1948)
A Czech drama of civic corruption and moral compromise, made on the eve of Czechoslovakia's communist transformation.
Wild Beasts - Movie Information
- Original Title: Dravci
- Release Year: 1948
- Directed by: Jiří Weiss
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Original Language: Czech
- Spoken Languages: Czech
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 30, 1948 (XC)
- Production Companies: Československá filmová společnost
- Production Countries: Czechoslovakia
Wild Beasts - Plot
Building a bridge is no simple matter. The city council has to decide between two competing proposals, one of which is submitted by villainous scoundrels and scoundrels who would like to enrich themselves everywhere. Although the film was made before the communist coup, it already anticipates the political diction of the stories that the approaching Stalinist period will produce.
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Wild Beasts - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Jiří Weiss
Main Cast
- Vítězslav Vejražka
- L. H. Struna
- Marie Nademlejnská
- Saša Rašilov
- Jindřich Plachta
- Jiří Plachý
- Bohuš Záhorský
- Viola Zinková
- Jana Mikulová
- Otomar Krejča
Writers
- Josef Mach
- Jiří Weiss
Wild Beasts - FAQs
What is Wild Beasts (1948) about?
Wild Beasts follows a city council's deliberation over two competing bridge construction proposals. One bid is backed by corrupt opportunists seeking personal enrichment. Made just before Czechoslovakia's communist coup, the film eerily anticipates the political rhetoric and moral compromises that would define the Stalinist era to come.
Who directed Wild Beasts?
Wild Beasts was directed by Jiří Weiss, one of the most significant figures in Czech cinema. Weiss had a distinguished career spanning documentary and fiction filmmaking, and Wild Beasts stands as an early example of his ability to embed social critique within accessible narrative drama.
Does Wild Beasts reflect real political events in Czechoslovakia?
Yes. Though produced before the February 1948 communist coup, Wild Beasts anticipates the political language and moral atmosphere of the Stalinist period. Its portrayal of corrupt officials and civic manipulation reads as a prescient commentary on the ideological struggles that would soon reshape Czechoslovak society.
When was Wild Beasts released?
Wild Beasts was released on April 30, 1948, in Czechoslovakia. Its release came at a historically charged moment, just months after the communist takeover of February 1948, lending the film's themes of corruption and political maneuvering an especially resonant and timely dimension.
Who are the main actors in Wild Beasts?
The cast includes Vítězslav Vejražka, L. H. Struna, Marie Nademlejnská, Saša Rašilov, Jindřich Plachta, Jiří Plachý, Bohuš Záhorský, Viola Zinková, Jana Mikulová, and Otomar Krejča, representing some of the most respected stage and screen performers in Czech cinema of the era.
Where can you watch Wild Beasts online?
Streaming availability for Wild Beasts varies by region and platform. As a 1948 Czech production, it may be accessible through specialty archives or film databases. Check JustWatch for the most current and comprehensive list of viewing options available in your area.
Is Wild Beasts based on a short story?
Yes, Wild Beasts is based on a short story. The screenplay was adapted by Josef Mach and director Jiří Weiss, who shaped the source material into a drama examining civic corruption and moral compromise in a postwar Czechoslovak setting, adding political depth to the original narrative.
What language is Wild Beasts filmed in?
Wild Beasts is filmed entirely in Czech, reflecting its origins as a Czechoslovak production. It was produced by Československá filmová společnost and is a key example of Czech national cinema from the late 1940s, a period of significant cultural and political transition in the country.
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