Tadeáš Moravec stars as Josef František in film
Czech actor Tadeáš Moravec stars as legendary World War II fighter pilot Josef František in the film Osamělý vlk, tackling a slate of television and film projects across the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Preparing for a World War II Fighter Pilot Role
To prepare for playing Josef František, Moravec read the script by director Ondřej Veverka roughly ten times and studied Jiří Rajlich’s book detailing the true story of the Czechoslovak pilot. Moravec found an immediate internal connection to the historical figure’s contradictory temperament, noting that František combined immense talent and courage with intense inner restlessness and a difficult relationship with authority.
Jako herci se mi líbilo, že se v něm tyhle dvě linky protínají. Překvapilo mě třeba, že přes jeho odpor k autoritám se dochovala vzpomínka na to, že když mu kvůli porušení disciplíny hrozilo, že ho vyhodí z letecké školy, klekl si na kolena a žadonil, aby to nedělali. Ukazuje to, co pro něj létání znamenalo.
Moravec contrasted the historical pilot’s rebellious nature with his own disciplined background. Having played football for Slavoj Vyšehrad until age seventeen before transitioning to martial arts and Thai boxing, the actor stated he respects rules while remaining fiercely protective of his autonomy against aggressive directing styles.
Actors Take Aviation Course for Aerial Sequences
Although formal pilot training was not required for the production, producer Víťa Jandák arranged a specialized aviation crash course for Moravec and three co-stars. Led by Afghan war veteran and pilot Aleš Houdkem, the actors flew in a Bristell aircraft to experience wind resistance and cockpit controls firsthand.
Filming the aerial combat sequences required working inside a hangar in front of a blue screen, where director Veverka guided the actors through tactical movements using physical aircraft models and direct radio instructions.
Multilingual Cast and Upcoming Screen Projects
Moravec utilized his English proficiency acquired during his studies in England for specific dialogue scenes in Osamělý vlk. However, much of his interaction on set involved speaking Polish alongside co-star Piotr Trojan, who portrayed his commanding officer.
The role of Josef František arrives alongside a busy release schedule for the actor. Moravec’s current slate includes a leading role in the ten-part television series Oddíl B on Nova, a starring performance in director Pavol Hirjak’s feature debut Posledná sezóna in Slovakia, and a role in Matěj Chlupáček’s six-part mystery thriller series Zmizení Sáry Lindertové for Canal+, alongside work on Michal Samir’s series Táta for Prima.