La Grande Solution

For many years, I cherished the memory of the screening of this film. Today, few people understand Čapek and Haas anymore, and so I prefer to watch this film alone. (22/02/2009)

Dramaturg wanted! or, A spectacular debate between "I'm really, really sorry, but..." and "I'm sorry, but...". Yet, with all due respect, I doubt that Čapek and Haas were doing this on purpose to perfectly capture the endless and tedious cycle of peace negotiations, waiting for the first million dead to get somewhere even remotely moving. The second half, in particular, is already going like a hamster in a wheel, and one wishes that The White Disease itself had a slightly faster pace to give the Marshal's decision-making process a bit of that time lapse. However, looking around and around, one sadly realizes how relevant this parable, simple though it may be, about fanatical mobs and the need for national self-identification through the oppression of others, remains after eighty freaking years. So I'll save the three stars for later, ideally when the message is no longer relevant and the film looks appropriately ridiculous. (30/01/2017)

Karel Čapek was an incredible visionary and above all, a great observer of social issues who could predict what would happen. "Skeleton on Horseback" is one of his plays that foreshadowed the Second World War. Similarly, the film adaptation is handled by the great Hugo Haas, who takes on the screenplay, direction, and lead role, showcasing his tremendous talent as an actor. There are absolutely great scenes that give you chills. And even after all this time, considering that the Second World War started two years later, the significance and impact of the film deepened. For me, it’s a very chilling film that also shows that strong films were being made even eighty years ago. (04/01/2014)