The Shop on Main Street (1965)

Thanks for the memories!

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

This film from the former Czechoslovakia is one I found in the book of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, I had no idea what to expect, only clue was the easy to work out title, but it was rated well. Basically set during World War II, mild-mannered Slovak carpenter Anton "Tóno" Brtko (Jozef Kroner) is offered the opportunity to take over the shop for sewing notions for elderly Jewish woman Rozália Lautmannová (Oscar and Golden Globe nominated Ida Kamińska), who due to being partially is unaware there is a war going on. The shop takeover is part of the enactment of an Aryanization regulation in the town, Tóno tries to explain to the oblivious Mrs. Lautmannová what is going on, he will supervisor, Slovak store owner Imrich Kuchár (Martin Hollý, Sr.) explains to him that the store is less than profitable, Lautmannová relies on donations. The amiable Brtko is offered a weekly payment by the Jewish community if he does not give up the store, he accepts, and lets the old woman think he is her nephew who has come to help. The relationship between Tóno and Mrs. Lautmannová, until the entire Jewish community is rounded up by the authorities for transport, Tóno is conflicted whether to hand them the old woman or hide her. Mrs. Lautmannová finally becomes aware of the massacre and persecution of people who share her religious beliefs, she panics, to try and silence her Tóno accidentally kills her, realising and devastated by what he has done, in the end he hangs himself. Also starring Frantisek Zvarík as Markus Kolkocký and Hana Slivková as Evelyna Brtková. Kaminska is fantastic as the elderly Jewish woman with the little shop full of string and buttons, and Kroner is splendid as the humble carpenter, their relationship is filled with comedic moments, but it being in the war there were bound to be tragic scenes as well, I will admit I lost my way a little in places, but overall it is a worthwhile Second World War drama. It won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Good!

Even though there are of course tons of WW II movies out there already, this one still manages to stand out, also with is originality.First off all, because it tells the story from a side we haven't seen really all that often yet in a WW II movie; from the side of the Slovaks. The Slovak Republic was a fascist state during WW II but I believe few people know this from their history classes or any books or documentaries. So it's good and refreshing to see a bit of an unknown side of WW II for a change.But it's also quite refreshing and original in the way it approaches its subject. As weird as it might sound, this is a bit of a light hearted told movie, with some relieving comedy in it at times. A true tragicomedy of the greatest and most effective sort. It ensures that the movie is a 'pleasant' one to watch with its storytelling but at the same time it also doesn't let you forget you are watching a tragic holocaust movie here.But the characters also work out refreshing. It's great to see things progressing from an old and senile Jewish lady's point of view, who's oblivious to all of the dangers and things occurring outside of her small shop.It's truly a skilfully made and great looking movie. The movie perfectly captures the sense and atmosphere of a small average town, with everyday characters living in it. The black & white cinematography really adds a lot and the directing does a great job as well giving the movie lots of pace and to capture all of the emotions, from the view points of the main characters.And the movie does truly has some great characters in it. The earlier mentioned old lady is great but so is the true main character of the movie, played by Jozef Króner. You don't really know were is loyalty truly lies and what he will do once things start to go truly bad. It makes his character, as the overall movie, also quite unpredictable.I really liked the way the story was being told and constructed. This movie was a true pleasure to watch and the fact that its 'foreign', 'old' and in a 'strange language' really shouldn't scare people off. This is a great movie to watch for everybody and also of course about an historically important subject, that luckily doesn't get told too heavily but still not without making an impact as well. 8/10http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

I have little more to add to the praise in all the other comments here, except perhaps to suggest that some of them go too far. It's an excellent film, well worth seeing, very moving and very believable, all the more effective for the way it moves so quietly, step-by-step from common, everyday life to something more horrible. A scene that will stay with me is when all the town's Jews are gathered with their bags and suitcases in the town square, then are led off in a grim procession and disappear around a corner. No shooting, no beating, but it gives one the shivers.I did find the ending disappointing. I don't think a man like that would commit suicide. Yes, he would feel terrible about causing the death of the old lady, and he would be afraid of being beaten and killed for having harbored a Jew. But he is not a brave man--far from it. I don't think he has the firmness of will to hang himself. I think he'd run away and hide. After being found, he'd place his hopes in begging for forgiveness from his Fascist brother-in-law before taking his fate into his own hands. So the suicide struck me as conventional, too easy, just a convenient way to round off the plot.

Antonin lives modestly during WWII in a small Slovak town. One day, unannounced, his annoying and manipulative brother-in-law arrives. His brother-in-law has achieved a higher rank in the Slovak collaborator army. As repayment for an old debt, he offers Antonin the job as "Aryan Controller" for a Jewish button shop. No longer are Jewish people in town allowed to own shops.Antonin shows up at the shop, but the elderly Jewish woman is a bit senile, and doesn't understand his intentions. Immediately, a non-Jewish resident shows up and tells him that the real purpose for his new job will be to protect this Jewish woman from the authorities. A Jewish barber and a few other Jewish people in town (along with this non-Jewish citizen) have formed a protection organization.The movie becomes extremely stark and brutal when the Nazis are about to round up the Jewish people in town. The collaborators are shown as becoming complete fools and monsters. Antonin tries desperately, and on point of insanity, to protect the elderly Jewish woman. However, the ending can only be in tragedy.This movie probably won't translate well to a modern audience. It is very brutal and realistic. It is not "politically correct". Antonin is not a completely nice or pleasant person, but he does decide to protect the Jewish woman. I would recommend seeing this film, but remembering it is not a modern Hollywood film.