The Firemen's Ball poster

The Firemen's Ball

A colorful comedy, in which people dance, steal and extinguish the fire.

7.1(269)19671h 13m3

The firemen of a provincial Czechoslovakian town throw a ball in honor of the old chief's retirement. There will be music and dancing, a beauty pageant and a raffle. The whole town will be in attendance. However, the proceedings are dogged by difficulty at every step. Workplace injuries, stolen prizes, a shortage of pretty girls... and fire.

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Status
Released
Budget
—
Box office
—
Language
Czech
  • small town
  • dark comedy
  • czechoslovakia
  • political satire
  • czech new wave
  • communist era
  • joyful

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Produced in

Czechoslovakia, Italy

Where to watch

All options

Availability for United States. Provided by JustWatch through the TMDB API.

Gallery

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Videos

Release dates

  • United StatesUS

    • Theatrical29 Sept 1968
  • AustriaAT

    • Digital / OTT1227 Mar 2017
  • FinlandFI

    • TheatricalS18 Apr 1969
  • FranceFR

    • Theatrical15 Jun 1978
    • PhysicalDVD23 Feb 2005
    • Digital / OTTVOD1 Feb 2020
    • PhysicalBlu-Ray7 Apr 2021
  • GreeceGR

    • PhysicalDVD15 Dec 2004
  • NetherlandsNL

    • PhysicalBlu ray12 Oct 2015
  • XCXC

    • Theatrical15 Dec 1967

Frequently asked questions

The Firemen's Ball was released on 15 December 1967.

Audience reviews

1
  • D

    deepkino

    9/26/2025

    7/10

    Miloš Forman's final film in the Czech language is a pure critique of bureaucracy. Set entirely at a banquet honoring a dying, 86-year-old former fire chief, it masterfully depicts the event's descent into fiasco. The film exposes the decay of Czechoslovak society and its so-called socialism, making the audience smile and even laugh, all without ever compromising its sharp comedic edge. It is a rare work that brillia…

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