The Fifth Rider Is Fear

Instead of depicting gas chambers and concentration camps, the film examines the subtler but equally debilitating mental effects of oppression. Restricted by Stalinist censorship, Brynych’s uses Nazi fascism as a metaphor to speak out against Soviet communism, highlighting the evils of both oppressive regimes.

When it was released in America in 1968, the film was highly praised by critics. Time magazine said it was a “superlatively photographed film,”and Roger Ebert wrote, “A nearly perfect film…beautiful, distinguished work. I imagine it will win the Academy Award for the best foreign film.”

A Jewish doctor helps a political fugitive during the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia…