I Served the King of England

I Served the King of England

Year: 2008

Runtime: 120 min

Language: Czech

Director: Jirí Menzel

DramaComedyRomanceWar

During the turbulent years of Nazi occupation in Czechoslovakia, an ambitious young waiter named Jan Dít? seizes an unexpected opportunity to build a successful black market business. Rising from poverty through resourcefulness and a willingness to adapt, he accumulates wealth and power, but must also confront difficult choices and navigate dangerous loyalties. Ultimately, he faces the repercussions of his actions in the challenging aftermath of the war.

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Timeline – I Served the King of England (2008)

Trace every key event in I Served the King of England (2008) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Jan's Release from Prison

Jan Dítě is released from a Czech prison after serving nearly 15 years of his sentence. With only three months left before his release, he finds himself in a new environment, filled with both possibilities and the shadows of his past.

Czech prison
2

Settling in a Small Town

After his release, Jan settles in a small town near the Czechoslovakia-Germany border. Here, he begins to revive an abandoned house, reflecting on his aspirations and contemplating his desire to become a millionaire.

Small town near Czechoslovakia-Germany border
3

Becoming a Frankfurter Vendor

Jan starts his new journey as a frankfurter vendor at a bustling railroad station. Through this job, he begins to understand the significance of money and how it influences people's lives and interactions.

Railroad station
4

Meeting Marcela

A young woman named Marcela arrives in Jan's vicinity, accompanied by an older professor. Although an attraction sparks between Jan and Marcela, their connection remains largely unfulfilled, leaving both characters yearning for something more.

Small town
5

Affairs and Ambitions

In a local restaurant, Jan engages in brief affairs with various women, including an actress and a prostitute. This phase of his life is marked by a growing ambition to improve his status in society as he takes on more prestigious roles.

Local restaurant
6

Hotel Tichota

Jan secures a position at the Hotel Tichota, where he quickly forms a romantic relationship with a maid. His new role provides him with a taste of the high life, allowing him to navigate the social scene more freely.

Hotel Tichota
7

Serving the Emperor

When Jan finds himself working under the enigmatic Maître d', Skřivánek, he experiences an unexpected turn of events. He ends up serving the Emperor of Ethiopia during a ceremonial occasion, showcasing his adaptability and opportunistic nature.

Ceremony at Hotel Paříž
8

Captivated by Liza

As the political climate shifts with the annexation of Czechoslovakia, Jan becomes enamored with Liza, a fervent supporter of Adolf Hitler. Their relationship takes a serious turn when Liza demands proof of Jan's Aryan lineage as a condition for marriage.

Czech Republic
9

Dismissal and Defiance

Jan is ultimately dismissed from his job at the hotel due to his compliance with the Nazis, while his colleagues express their resentment through passive resistance. A confrontation with Skřivánek leads to a symbolic act of defiance, leaving Jan isolated and disillusioned.

Hotel Paříž
10

War and Compromise

During World War II, Jan takes a job at an institute repurposed from Hotel Tichota, where he witnesses drastic changes due to the war. The women initially working there are replaced by injured soldiers, marking a significant shift in the atmosphere of the establishment.

Former Hotel Tichota
11

Tragic Loss of Liza

As the war reaches its climax, a tragic attack leads to an evacuation at the institute. In a heartbreaking twist, Liza perishes when the building collapses, leaving behind a box of invaluable stamps that Jan clutches as a connection to her.

Institute (Former Hotel Tichota)
12

Rise to Wealth

Despite the tragedy, Jan utilizes the stamps he recovered from Liza to rebuild his life and become a wealthy hotelier in the same location. This twist of fate illustrates his resilience and the harsh realities of post-war life.

Czech Republic
13

Communist Takeover

After the Communist takeover in 1948, Jan's newfound wealth becomes his downfall as he inadvertently reveals it to the authorities. This leads to a harsh sentence of 15 years in prison, highlighting the dangers of his previous ambitions.

Czech prison
14

Life Behind Bars

Inside the prison, Jan encounters familiar faces from his past, including Brandejs and other former elites. Despite his attempts to reconnect, he realizes that his status has diminished and he is now an outcast among them.

Czech prison
15

Closure with the Stamps

As Marcela and the professor leave the area, Jan finally finishes restoring his home. In a symbolic gesture, he releases the stamps into the winds, signifying the closure of a tumultuous chapter in his life and a newfound sense of freedom.

Restored home

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 17:01

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Characters, Settings & Themes in I Served the King of England

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