Political Prague 1968 (1968)

Prague, Czechoslovakia



27TH AUGUST 1968. Various shots in Prague's Wenceslas Square. We see the statue daubed with pro-Czech banners, etc. Large portraits of Alexander Dubcek (Czech Communist Party Leader) and Svoboda on buildings round the square. This is a week after the Russian invasion. Travelling shots through the streets of Prague but showing no evidence of the recent occupation. MS Rebel leader Emil Zatopek (Czech Athlete) who has come out of hiding speaks freely with passers by. Various shots in the streets as tension mounts as the time nears for the return of Czech leaders from Moscow talks. Traffic is at a standstill and crowds begin to gather at the Parliament buildings. MS Martin Vaculik at the closed door of Communist H.Q. MS Group of students daubing walls. Various shots as politicians arrive at the castle to hear the result of the Moscow talks. We see Dubcek arrive and also Soviet Ambassador Cervonenko, head of Russian invasion forces Marshal Pavlovskij, and Prague's Mayor Ludvik Cerny.



CU's Czech cabinet members leaving the Parliament and being interviewed by press, S.O.F. Also leaving are Russians who took over during the occupation. Various shots at the funeral of victim of the Russian invasion. Mournful onlookers gathered round the grave. Various shots of party chairman Josef Smirkovsky fighting his way through well-wishing crowds.



The sound of Dubcek's broadcast to the nation about the Moscow talks laid over the scenes of smashed Russian tanks and equipment being cleared from the streets following the invasion. Russian patrols can still be seen patrolling the streets. Speech continues over shots of Russian military equipment lined up in fields just outside city.



(F/G Comb.)



Commentary and titles in Czech
FILM ID:3262.12

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