On the Trail of Blood

Petr Schulhoff, 1969

Film at Filmový přehled

Summary

Major Kalaš, the investigator who features in a quartet of crime films made by director Petr Schulhoff, is among the most popular characters in the realm of Czech detective stories. A substantial part of his charisma, of course, is down to the actor who portrays him: Rudolf Hrušínský. But Schulhoff's approach also made a significant contribution to the indisputable quality of the series. In the four detective stories – Strach (Fear, 1963), Vrah skrývá tvář (The Murderer Hides His Face, 1966), Po stopách krve (1969), and Diagnóza smrti (Diagnosis of Death, 1979) – Schulhoff created a prototype for high-quality, classic Czech detective tales with an impressively dismal atmosphere. In Po stopách krve, Kalaš investigates the murder of a Roma boy in the northern Bohemian town of Dubá. When another victim is discovered, the Prague-based investigator realises he is up against a serial killer – and a paedophile to boot. Tackling the case is made more complicated due to the absence of his trusted partner, Varga.
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Film data

About a film

Production year 1969
Countries Czechoslovakia
Categories film
Genres detective
Form feature
Duration 94 min
Director Petr Schulhoff
Cast Rudolf Hrušínský, Vladimír Ptáček, Ilja Prachař, Karel Dellapina, Vladimír Huber, Milada Ježková
Director of photography Emil Sirotek
Screenplay Petr Schulhoff
Editor Jiřina Lukešová
Production designer Karel Lier
Music Pavel Blatný
Sound designer Miloslav Hůrka