Closely Watched Trains (1966): cast, story & where to watch
1966 · Film · ★ 7.3
Released in 1966, Closely Watched Trains is a comedy, drama and war film directed by Jiří Menzel, running about 93 minutes. “All it takes to make a man of a boy is a woman.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. At a village railway station in occupied Czechoslovakia, a bumbling dispatcher’s apprentice longs to liberate himself from his virginity. Oblivious to the war and the resistance that surrounds him, this young man embarks on a journey of sexual awakening and self-discovery, encountering a universe of frustration, eroticism, and adventure within his sleepy backwater depot.
Who’s in it. Closely Watched Trains stars Václav Neckář as Trainee Milos Hrma, Josef Somr as Train dispatcher Hubicka, Vlastimil Brodský as Counselor Zednicek and Vladimír Valenta as Stationmaster Max, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.3/10, Closely Watched Trains has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel and Klassiki and rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Closely Watched Trains page.
If you liked it. Fans of Closely Watched Trains tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Closely Watched Trains (1966)?
- In US, Closely Watched Trains is available to stream on Criterion Channel and Klassiki, and rent or buy from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Closely Watched Trains worth watching?
- Closely Watched Trains holds an audience score of 7.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy, drama and war. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Closely Watched Trains?
- Closely Watched Trains stars Václav Neckář, Josef Somr, Vlastimil Brodský, Vladimír Valenta and Alois Vachek.
- When was Closely Watched Trains released?
- Closely Watched Trains was released in 1966, with a runtime of about 93 minutes.