This is an outstanding film and its Kafkaesque style is quite spellbinding. Although another reviewer has remarked that it must have been difficult to produce under a communist regime, it should be noted that Josef Kilian reached London during the 1960s (I have forgotten the year, but it was between 1964 and 1967) under the Anglo/ Czechoslovak Cultural Agreement agreed between the British and Czechoslovak Governments as part of a season of Czechoslovak films held at the National Film Theatre .
So it can be said that the film actually had the blessing of the Czechoslovak Government despite its underlying comment on communist-style government! It made a lasting impression on me and I have been searching for a video/DVD of it for many years so that I can see it again. Let's hope that someone will produce one, as I have never heard of it being shown anywhere since. I cannot forget the line of ducks crossing the forlorn streets from time to time, or have I imagined that part? A must for anyone who likes first class films with intriguing story-lines.