Getting a role like in the Tank Battalion would not be possible today. The director Vít Olmer was allegedly looking for an actress with a large bust for his film. He should have asked Martina Adamcová if he could “verify” her size by touch. The actress allowed him and got the role. Watch Stories from the Tank Battalion Square.
Tank battalion: The method of verifying the size of the breasts would no longer be acceptable to the director | Video: Aktuálně.cz, Bontonfilm, NFA, Czechoslovak Television Archive
The main character of Danny Smiřický, who has autobiographical features of the author of the novel Tank Battalion Josef Škvorecký, was portrayed by Lukáš Vaculík. However, not because of his acting talent, but because of his appearance – the director hoped that this would also attract female viewers to the cinema.
The premiere of the film was recorded as a spectacular show. Adina Mandlová and other celebrities did not miss it. Škvorecký even arrived at the cinema in style – by military helicopter. At a time when going to the cinema cost 12 crowns, more than two million viewers went to see the first private Czech film. It thus became the most successful polytrack film.
