Vražda v Ostrovní ulici

The Barrandov primus that started it all. After the 1898-1932 era, which saw several breakthrough "Year Zeros" of Czech cinema, the decisive moment of the Barrandov miracle came. And it was right out of the woods. It features a great agile camera, exquisite interiors, fancy props, an excellent cast and a good continuation of the Czech crime drama, which has been flirted with in various variations since the early days. Now it's just a matter of choosing whether I'm more interested in the performances of Rogoz or Plachta or the girls Lhotová or Hermanová. Jarmila, however, had the folding serving table. (01.04.2011)

A very good whodunit that honors all the rules of the genre and does not disgrace anyone at all. Jindřich Plachta is perfect as detective Klubíčko, the character suits him incredibly well, while the story manages to constantly confuse the viewer and finding new clues, the final "Poirot-like" confrontation, and it all functions like clockwork. What caught my attention was Karl Marchart's score, which uses classical compositions (not all of which fit what's going on in the film). (16.03.2013)

I was surprised to find out that we also have quite good detective characters, not only after 1950, but also before. Jindřich Plachta is incredible in his role and it's almost a pity that there wasn't a series based on it because his character is excellently Poirot-like or Holmes-like. The story itself is not bad either, and it's evident that it stands on the foundations of a good original. (06.01.2015)