September Nights

The commander of the military training camp, newly promoted Major Cibulka, keeps his subordinates in line. Because of an unexpected emergency, he refuses to give leave even to the young lieutenant Zabran, whose wife is due to give birth any day. In addition, a false article appears in an army newspaper claiming that Zábrana is an example of a bad company commander. In fact, it is he who has the best leadership skills. Fearing for his wife's health, Zábrana disobeys orders and departs for Prague at night to visit his wife in the maternity ward. Cibulka decides to push the envelope even harder, and drives Zábrana, whom he has long disliked, before the prosecutor.

Directed by Vojtěch Jasný, September Nights leans on a strong ensemble — Václav Lohniský, Ladislav Pešek, Stanislav Remunda — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1957.