And Give My Love to the Swallows

This film, chronicling the last days of Czech resistance fighter Maruska Kuderikova (played by Magda Vasaryova), is based on her diaries. Though she was tortured and eventually executed by the Nazis, her diaries indicate that she was optimistic for the humanity of her captors and did not by any means hate them. Told with simple dignity, this film makes clear why Maruska became a national hero.

Director: Jaromil Jireš

Cast: Magda Vášáryová, Viera Strnisková, Július Vašek, Václav Helšus, Dagmar Bláhová, Hana Pastejříková, Hana Maciuchová, Jana Andresíková

Audience-only score — full critic data not yet in the ReelXO vault.