The members of the so-called auxiliary technical battalions (PTP), which formed a special component of the Czech "People's Army" in the 1950s, were known as Black Barons. Black was the color of their epaulettes, and they were called barons because they were the only full-time soldiers at the time who had money, as they received part of their pay in cash.
The social composition of these units was interesting: On the one hand, conscripts were assigned to the "Pétépaks" (PTP-lers) because of a physical deficiency, such as "chest weakness", but also the politically unreliable editor of the racing magazine or an assistant director. On the other hand, there were also people with a criminal past or for racist (Roma) or classist (former nobility) reasons. Like the "Pétépaks", their commanders, who were generally characterized by exceptional stupidity, were similarly low in the military hierarchy.
However, the comic stories are only the flip side of the fate of the "Pétépaks", usually accompanied by sad and tragic events. The filmmakers hint at this in the introductory documentary footage from the newsreel. The film is based on the book of the same name by the writer Miloslav Švandrlík.
Czech Television
This film will be shown as part of the "Czech Film Wednesday" series, as always in the original version with German subtitles.
If you would like to receive timely reminders about Film Wednesdays and other information about Czech culture in the Elbe/Labe Euroregion, you can subscribe to our cultural newsletter.
