This film from the Czech Republic interested me for two reasons, firstly and mainly because it is one I found in the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, but also, secondly, because it was banned by the nation's ruling Communist party, it became available again in 1989, made me think it was controversial, I looked forward to finding out. Basically Ludvik (Radoslav Brzobohatý) is a senior official of Prague's ruling Communist regime, and his wife Anna (Jirina Bohdalová) is an alcoholic. They return home after spending the evening at a government function, a political party dinner, where Ludvik finds out several of his colleagues have been "relieved" of their responsibilities. Ludvik and Anna find that their home has been broken into, they repair the damage, but strange occurrences happen several times after, including the disappearance of the spare house keys and dead phone lines. This leads the couple to believe they are under surveillance by their own government, the house has been bugged, and "the ear" of the government is listening. As the night progresses, the couple are being extremely careful what they do and see, at the same their personal and marital flaws are exposed, until eventually they have had enough, and they make an effort to find and destroy the bugs, but there will be consequences whatever happens. Also starring Gustav Opocenský as Conrade, Miroslav Holub as General, Lubor Tokos as Minister, Borivoj Navrátil as Cejnar and Jirí Císler as Secret Agent Standa. It is a combination of politics and domestic drama, the most memorable scenes are obviously of the bitter married couple at loggerheads, it is a bit dated now, and I can't really understand it being "banned forever", maybe for the invasion of the home and privacy element, but it is interesting enough political thriller. Worth watching!
Review of The Ear
