The Czech Crisis Continues (1968)

Unissued / unused material - dates and locations may be unclear / unknown. Czech Film Weekly Preview (probably No. 36/68). Title reads: "Ceskoslovensky Filmovy Tydenik." Czechoslovakia. VS Rough graves and memorials are marked out throughout the city for victims of the Russian invasion. CU Grave of Bocek., born 07/05/1945. VS Women and passers by in tears in front of lists of casualties, whilst young men stand holding the Czech flag, stand outside a building with lists of the dead. High shot, Russian troops play ball games in the park close to their tanks and camp. Pan across a main square to a shelled building. VS Russian tanks and troops hidden in parks and side streets of the city, (various sections throughout the reel). CU Prime Minister Oldrich Cernik being interviewed by journalists at Prague Castle, he looks in shock. (some Nat. sound). VS Interior Parliament as Czech President Ludwig Svoboda and Alexander Dubcek (Czech Communist Party Leader) meet their army chiefs. MS Pan with Czech ministers arriving for talks with Dubcek - Josef Pavel (Home Office Minister), Dr Husak and Dr Spacek. CU Dubcek. VS Five generals from Warsaw Pact invasion forces leave buildings after talks. The generals, from Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, and East Germany, are greeted in the courtyard by Russian Army officer, Marshal Pavlovsky, leader of the invasion force. MS Politician Frantisek Vodslon being interviewed by the press. (Nat. sound). VS Russian army camps throughout the city. VS Prague Castle is closed and soldiers guard empty streets. VS Members arriving on the last Saturday in August for a General Assembly of the Central Board at the Castle. It is being held behind closed doors with the press excluded. Short tracking shot, taken secretly from a car, shows a tank on a hill in the park. VS More members of the board arrive for their meeting - Indra, Billak, Piller, Jakes and others. The scene continues with other politicians (named in the commentary) arriving for the meeting intercut with Warsaw Pact forces in control of the streets of Prague. Note: Date on original record: 11/09/1968. Some scratchesing, centre of picture. Czech commentary. FILM ID:3263.07 FOR LICENSING ENQUIRIES VISIT http://www.britishpathe.com/