Closely Watched Trains

film by Menzel [1966]

Also known as: “Ostře sledované vlaky”

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July 17, 2026

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Closely Watched Trains is a 1967 Czech film directed by Jiří Menzel, which won an Academy Award. It is part of the Czech New Wave period (1962–68), known for its focus on everyday life. The film is noted for its sharp focus on the common people and their experiences.1

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Czech Republic
Film
…a Blonde) and Jiří Menzel’s Closely Watched Trains (1967), which won an Academy Award. Jan Svěrák’s Kolya (1997) also received international attention. There is a strong Czech tradition in producing animated films, with the work of Jiří Trnka and Jan Švankmajer being perhaps the most revered.
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…a Blonde) and Jiří Menzel’s Closely Watched Trains (1967), which won an Academy Award. Jan Svěrák’s Kolya (1997) also received international attention. There is a strong Czech tradition in producing animated films, with the work of Jiří Trnka and Jan Švankmajer being perhaps the most revered.
Read More