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The Joke

6.519691h 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
WritersJaromil Jireš·Milan Kundera
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 · 6.7
The Flying Cestmir
The Flying Cestmir
1984 · 6.6
Žena za pultem
Žena za pultem
1977 · 6.5
Boys Will Be Boys
Boys Will Be Boys
1976 · 6.7
Povídky malostranské
Povídky malostranské
1984
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
Happy Journey
Happy Journey
1943 · 6.7
Holiday with Angel
Holiday with Angel
1953 · 7.6
Rozpaky kuchaře Svatopluka
Rozpaky kuchaře Svatopluka
1985 · 5.5
Dynastie Nováků
Dynastie Nováků
1982 · 8.8
Jarní píseň
Jarní píseň
1944 · 8.0
Hostinec U koťátek
Hostinec U koťátek
1971
Nobody Knows Anything
Nobody Knows Anything
1947 · 8.5
Návraty
Návraty
1972 · 10.0
See all fromJana Dítětová

More from Jaromil Jireš · Director

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders
Valerie and Her Week of Wonders
1970 · 7.0
Double Role
Double Role
1999 · 7.3
Flying Saucers Over Our Village
Flying Saucers Over Our Village
1977 · 6.3
Labyrinth
Labyrinth
1991 · 8.5
The Dynamite Watcher
The Dynamite Watcher
1963 · 7.0
Payment in Kind
Payment in Kind
1980 · 6.3
People from the Subway
People from the Subway
1974 · 4.8
Katapult
Katapult
1984 · 4.0
And Give My Love to the Swallows
And Give My Love to the Swallows
1972 · 5.2
Helimadoe
Helimadoe
1993 · 6.0
See all fromJaromil Jireš

More like this

Home Care
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2015 · 5.4
Daisies
Daisies
1966 · 7.3
Photographer
Photographer
2015 · 5.1
Kolya
Kolya
1996 · 7.4
The Wild Bees
The Wild Bees
2001 · 5.7
Loves of a Blonde
Loves of a Blonde
1965 · 7.0
The Cremator
The Cremator
1969 · 7.8
The Elementary School
The Elementary School
1991 · 7.4
Cosy Dens
Cosy Dens
1999 · 8.0
Intimate Lighting
Intimate Lighting
1965 · 6.7
Winter Flies
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2018 · 5.4
Closely Watched Trains
Closely Watched Trains
1966 · 7.2

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 September 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.