Devět kapitol ze starého dějepisu

In the 1960s, Czechoslovak Army Film and creative documentary makers Roman Hlavac and Pavel Hasa made a feature documentary that was unique for its time. It views World War I as the major cause of the collapse of empires and the emergence of new independent states in Europe, including Czechoslovakia. Documentary footage blends with modern scenes and Milos Kopecky acts as a guide and gives a gently ironical commentary on historical events. The film makes rich use of valuable archive material, including previously unknown footage of legions. The authors have tried to portray the struggle for freedom during the period of the Austro-Hungarian Empire as accurately as possible. The preparations for the film took place at a time of cultural relaxation, the so-called Prague Spring, and the directors’ interpretation of history and of the First Republic’s origin did not agree with the official interpretation of the ruling Communist Party. After 1968 it was no longer acceptable to screen the film publicly. It was withdrawn from distribution and could only be shown again in 1990. (Academia Film Olomouc)