Romain Rolland: A Good Man Still Lives (1991)

A novel about the indomitable optimism in a person with which one can go through life despite countless obstacles and adversities. Its central character is a simple man, Colas Breugnon, an aging carpenter and woodcarver who loves his work, good food and drink, and likes to joke around with pretty women, but who can also defend life and liberty against their enemies. Colas is going to have a tragic year; his wife dies, he burns out and loses most of his artwork, contracts the plague and eventually breaks his leg. Yet still life and also teaches him to love others. By his efforts to be useful to his surroundings, he proves that the truly "good man is still alive". Selected chapters from the novel directed by Ivan Holeček read by: Rudolf Hrušínský.