Young railway trainee Milos follows in the steps of his forbears all of whom were not particularly devoted to their vocations and found reason to retire early. To become an assistant station master does not excite Milos, but he undertakes the traineeship because he is persuaded that the uniform commands a certain respect. He also decides it will be nice to watch the trains go by.
This rather quirky comedy set on a railway station somewhere in Czechoslovakia during World War 11 ridicules the rules and regulations of the railway system where responsibility is passed down the line to the trainee who pulls the levers but who is not authorised to use the rubber stamps nor to use his hot moist breath to ensure a good print out.
A lot is made of the authorisation stamp in this film and much of the humour revolves about its use. Some of the characters believe that stamping a woman's bottom is going too far and such an act should be brought before the courts. This hilarious situation is typical of the somewhat suggestive humour throughout the film.
Milos knows nothing about the sexual act and gets very depressed. His doctor confides that he should educate himself by finding a mature woman who can help and advise him. Unsmiling Milos finds little success as shyly he asks every woman he meets including the station master's wife to help him. There is a quiet humour in every scene. Milos gains our sympathy even though we feel he needs a bit of a push.
The final scene is so unexpected. Milos will not be saluting the trains any more as they roll by with their German passengers.... I suppose life is like that.
This rather quirky comedy set on a railway station somewhere in Czechoslovakia during World War 11 ridicules the rules and regulations of the railway system where responsibility is passed down the line to the trainee who pulls the levers but who is not authorised to use the rubber stamps nor to use his hot moist breath to ensure a good print out.
A lot is made of the authorisation stamp in this film and much of the humour revolves about its use. Some of the characters believe that stamping a woman's bottom is going too far and such an act should be brought before the courts. This hilarious situation is typical of the somewhat suggestive humour throughout the film.
Milos knows nothing about the sexual act and gets very depressed. His doctor confides that he should educate himself by finding a mature woman who can help and advise him. Unsmiling Milos finds little success as shyly he asks every woman he meets including the station master's wife to help him. There is a quiet humour in every scene. Milos gains our sympathy even though we feel he needs a bit of a push.
The final scene is so unexpected. Milos will not be saluting the trains any more as they roll by with their German passengers.... I suppose life is like that.