Půlpenny

When it was made, this extraordinary television play carried a strong humanistic message, supported by high-quality performances, with Karel Höger shining in the lead role. Here, he took on one of the few negative roles of his career - that of a self-assured, cynical doctor who refuses to acknowledge moral responsibility. He portrayed it with economical acting techniques, yet convincingly. In supporting roles, Jana Hlaváčová stands out as one of the victims, and Zdeněk Řehoř as a colleague who declares he couldn't live with such a burden. The only thing that lowers the rating to four stars is the overly studio-like production. Overall impression of this black-and-white classic: 85%. (29/11/2007)

"Is fear an excuse for dishonest acts?" A magnetic courtroom drama full of profound and still valid ideas, in which Karel Höger sits silently and listens to witness testimony most of the time, but his acting is all the more remarkable. However, the prosecutor played by Vladimír Ráže and the former doctor Dana Medřická are equally, if not more, the shining stars of the production. It’s just a pity about the title, which actually gives away the point. (25/08/2016)