Josef František biopic premieres in Prague

The film ‘Samotný vlk’ (The Lone Wolf), directed by Ondřej Veverka, has premiered in Prague. The docudrama tells the story of Josef František, a Czechoslovak fighter pilot who became the most successful foreign pilot during the Battle of Britain while serving in the Polish 303 Squadron of the RAF.

František, known for his aggressive and individualistic combat style, recorded 17 confirmed kills before dying in a Hurricane crash in October 1940. The film utilizes archival materials, historical research, and the diary of his comrade Josef Balejka to maintain historical accuracy.

Historians note that while František is a well-known figure in Poland and the United Kingdom, his legacy was marginalized in communist Czechoslovakia. The film aims to help Czech audiences rediscover their wartime hero.