Údolí vcel (1968)

User Rating:

8.2/10   

Director:

Frantisek Vlácil

Writers:

Vladimír Körner (screenplay)
Vladimír Körner (story)

Release Date:

17 May 1968 (Czechoslovakia)

Genre:

Drama | History

Plot:

Ondrej, a young boy who loves bees and bats, is introduced to his new mother, a woman much younger than his father...

Plot Keywords:

Bats | Monk | Widow | Castle | Bee

Cast

Petr Cepek	...	Ondrej
Jan Kacer	...	Armin
Vera Galatíková	...	Lenora
Zdenek Kryzánek	...	Lord of Vlkov
Miroslav Machácek	...	Brown Friar
Josef Somr	...	Rotgier
Václav Kotva	...	Farmer
Jana Hlavácková	...	Blind Girl
Frantisek Kovárík	...	Shepherd
Josef Kotapis	...	A Collier
Petr Sedlák	...	A Collier
Ludvík Volf	...	A Hunter
Ladislav Gzela	...	Jakub
Petr Stepánek	...	Markvart
Michal Kozuch

Also Known As:

Valley of the Bees (International: English title)

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

Czechoslovakia

Language:

Czech

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:13

Company:

Filmové Studio Barrandov

The Middle Ages Come to Life

This is, without a doubt, one of the finest films I have ever seen. It works so well on so many levels. It is a religious drama, an historical drama and a darn good yarn. The acting is first-rate throughout and the cinematography and music are breathtaking in their beauty. Vlacik had an obvious fondness for deep poetic and metaphysical image and story-telling. But, he also had a gift for sheer drama. There are many shocking moments that almost take your breath away. You really feel you are in the Middle Ages with all of its existential isolation and horror.

The previous reviewer describes the film fairly well so I will not get into the actual story. But if you have a chance to see this film at a film festival, see this film. This film is as good as the best of Kurosawa, Rivette, Bergman, Angelopoulos etc. 10 points out of 10.