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The Joke

6.419691h 17mMovieComedyDrama

In the 1950s, Ludvik Jahn was expelled from the Communist Party and the University by his fellow students, because of a politically incorrect note he sent to his girlfriend. Fifteen years later, he tries to get his revenge by seducing Helena, the wife of one of his accusers.

DirectorJaromil Jireš
WritersMilan Kundera·Jaromil Jireš
ProducerBohumil Šmída

Where to watch

Criterion ChannelCriterion ChannelDocAlliance FilmsDocAlliance FilmsKlassikiKlassiki
Availability shown for United States · rights vary by country

Cast · Directed by Jaromil Jireš

JSJosef Somr
Josef Somr
Ludvik Jahn
JDJana Dítětová
Jana Dítětová
Helena Zemánková
LMLuděk Munzar
Luděk Munzar
Pavel Zemánek
JOJaroslava Obermaierová
Jaroslava Obermaierová
Marketa
ESEvald Schorm
Evald Schorm
Kostka
MS
Milan Svrčina
Jaroslav
MR
Miloš Rejchrt
Alexej
VKVěra Křesadlová
Věra Křesadlová
Věra
JHJaromír Hanzlík
Jaromír Hanzlík
Lieutenant
MPMichal Pavlata
Michal Pavlata
Jindra
JS
Jiří Sýkora
MK
Michal Knapčík

More from Josef Somr · Lead actor

Bakaláři
Bakaláři
1972 · 7.0
Dobrodružství kriminalistiky
Dobrodružství kriminalistiky
1989 · 8.6
Thirty Cases of Major Zema
Thirty Cases of Major Zema
1976 · 7.3
Pan Tau
Pan Tau
1970 · 7.1
Zirkus Humberto
Zirkus Humberto
1988 · 7.7
Nemocnice na kraji města
Nemocnice na kraji města
1978 · 6.8
Zdivočelá země
Zdivočelá země
1997 · 6.2
Žena za pultem
Žena za pultem
1977 · 6.5
Ďáblova lest
Ďáblova lest
2009 · 7.2
F. L. Věk
F. L. Věk
1971 · 7.0
See all fromJosef Somr

More from Jana Dítětová · Co-star actress

Bakaláři
Bakaláři
1972 · 7.0
Thirty Cases of Major Zema
Thirty Cases of Major Zema
1976 · 7.3
Rozpaky kuchaře Svatopluka
Rozpaky kuchaře Svatopluka
1985 · 5.5
Dynastie Nováků
Dynastie Nováků
1982 · 8.8
Happy Journey
Happy Journey
1943 · 6.7
Jarní píseň
Jarní píseň
1944 · 8.0
Hostinec U koťátek
Hostinec U koťátek
1971
Grandmothers Recharge Well!
Grandmothers Recharge Well!
1984 · 6.1
How to Pull Out a Whale's Tooth
How to Pull Out a Whale's Tooth
1977 · 7.6
Jakou barvu má láska
Jakou barvu má láska
1974 · 7.0
See all fromJana Dítětová

More from Jaromil Jireš · Director

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders
Valerie and Her Week of Wonders
1970 · 7.0
Flying Saucers Over Our Village
Flying Saucers Over Our Village
1977 · 6.3
Double Role
Double Role
1999 · 7.3
Lion with a White Mane
Lion with a White Mane
1987 · 6.0
Helimadoe
Helimadoe
1993 · 6.0
Incomplete Eclipse
Incomplete Eclipse
1983 · 6.5
Labyrinth
Labyrinth
1991 · 8.5
The Young Man and Moby Dick
The Young Man and Moby Dick
1979 · 4.2
Escape Home
Escape Home
1980 · 8.0
Payment in Kind
Payment in Kind
1980 · 6.2
See all fromJaromil Jireš

More like this

Intimate Lighting
Intimate Lighting
1965 · 6.7
Winter Flies
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2018 · 5.4
Daisies
Daisies
1966 · 7.3
On the Roof
On the Roof
2019 · 6.3
A Case for a Rookie Hangman
A Case for a Rookie Hangman
1970 · 7.0
The Cremator
The Cremator
1969 · 7.8
Cosy Dens
Cosy Dens
1999 · 8.0
Kolya
Kolya
1996 · 7.4
Love Between the Raindrops
Love Between the Raindrops
1980 · 6.4
All My Good Countrymen
All My Good Countrymen
1969 · 7.6
The Wild Bees
The Wild Bees
2001 · 5.7
Loves of a Blonde
Loves of a Blonde
1965 · 7.0

The Joke — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams The Joke?

The Joke is streaming on Criterion Channel, DocAlliance Films and Klassiki in United States. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is The Joke on Netflix?

No, The Joke is not on Netflix in United States as of November 2026. It's currently on Criterion Channel and DocAlliance Films.

Is The Joke on Amazon Prime Video?

No, The Joke isn't on Amazon Prime Video in United States right now. It's on Criterion Channel and DocAlliance Films instead.

Where can I watch The Joke for free?

The Joke is available on Criterion Channel and DocAlliance Films in United States, but you'll need an active subscription — there's no free option right now.