The Shop on Main Street

A great example that Czech, Czechoslovak and Slovak cinematography definitely have something to say and draw from. A perspective on war through the eyes of ordinary people, a perspective on war through the development of one character, and a development that is brilliantly destructive. What the main pair of actors showcase is as incredible as the masterful experimentation of the directing duo. One of the peaks of Czechoslovak cinematography. Actually, of Czech and Slovak independent cinematography as well. (12/02/2014)

It's great to work with so many levels and ambivalence of "I'm a good person, after all, I even arise basically against my will, moreover when something comes out of it, but quietly, no one needs to know, especially when I'm calm", and the portrayal of all the characters who walk in front of, in or behind the shop. It's playful in form (hiding from the viewer/camera is exactly what one would expect Herz to have come up with) and it works in multiple ways. It can be unabashedly emotional, everyone acts with gusto, and it's the actions of the characters that are the defining factor, not the declamatory speeches that many other filmmakers would be tempted to make. It is not a probe into the soul of the Slovak nation through addressing the historical skeletons in the closet, but a probe into the soul of an ordinary man under the pressure of the times. Period. That's what makes it timeless. But the whole thing is marred by the ending, where of all the possible outcomes, the one used is by far (but far) the least interesting, and consequently the least compelling. If "it" had at least been done knowingly… Considering the way the central dilemma is handled all along, this is an undignified, cheap "how to get out of it" from Grossman. (02/12/2021)

A film so brilliant and so masterfully orchestrated and built up in the second half that it brings me to tears. One of the distinctive cornerstones of the mosaic called "The Golden Era of Czechoslovak cinema of the 1960s", and clear proof (one of many) that it was at that time when the greatest works of cinema in this country were made. The performances of Kroner and Kaminska are superb, the film was a well-deserved worldwide success at the time of its release (as evidenced by the Oscar and the unique Oscar nomination for Kaminska, which was a year too late in the history of this award); it's a pity that it’s almost unknown to today's young generation. (01/07/2013)

Yes, it is true that The Shop on Main Street is about, in essence, a pretty important topic in our history. In any case, it must be acknowledged that this film is from Slovakia rather than Czechoslovakia. This is not to say that it is more about Slovak history than Czech one, as it is clear to me things were exactly the same in Czechia. But the Slovaks contributed more to this film’s creation. Anyway, what didn’t sit well with me was the affected Slovak language, where I kept missing every second line and I had hard time getting into the story. Another problem, however, was the cumbersome filmmaking, where one had to pay a lot of attention in order to perceive every detail and nuance of the story. (02/02/2013)

I can’t believe that I missed this gem for so long. There have been many films with similar themes in the post-war wave of cinema, but patriotically I have to shout to the world that none can match the Czech Higher Principle and the Slovak The Shop on Main Street. An incredibly climactic and powerful story that the heroic performances of Kaminska and Kroner in particular make it gripping from the first minute to the last depressing shot. The Slovaks can be rightly proud, this film should have won more than one Oscar. 100% (01/13/2013)