Three Wishes for Cinderella (1973)

Life changes dramatically for a Czech housemaid when the house driver gives her three magical hazel nuts.

Director:

Václav Vorlícek

Writers:

Bozena Nemcová (story), Frantisek Pavlícek (as Bohumila Zelenková)

Stars:

Libuse Safránková, Pavel Trávnícek, Carola Braunbock

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Libuse Safránková	...	Popelka
Pavel Trávnícek	...	Prince
Carola Braunbock	...	Mother
Rolf Hoppe	...	King
Karin Lesch	...	Queen
Dana Hlavácová	...	Dora (as Daniela Hlavácová)
Jan Libícek	...	Preceptor
Vítezslav Jandák	...	Kamil
Jaroslav Drbohlav	...	Vítek
Vladimír Mensík	...	Vincek
Míla Myslíková	...	Housekeeper
Helena Ruzicková	...	Princess Drobena
Jan Sus	...	Hind
Milos Vavruska	...	Huntsman
Jirí Ruzicka	...	Cook

Storyline

The film stars Libuse Safránková as the title character, a young woman who is put upon by her stepmother and stepsisters. The film employs a twist, though, when a handsome prince comes knocking. Cinderella does not simply fall into the prince's arms. In this version, he must actively pursue the young woman who is a skilled sharpshooter prone to wearing hunting outfits. Cinderella also has three wishes at her disposal, gained from three magic nuts.

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Plot Keywords:

prince | magic | absurdism | riddle | princess | 

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Family | Adventure | Romance

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Details

Country:

Czechoslovakia East Germany

Language:

German Czech

Release Date:

16 November 1973 (Czechoslovakia)

Also Known As:

Three Nuts for Cinderella

Filming Locations:

Studio Babelsberg, Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

Deutsche Film (DEFA),Filmové studio Barrandov

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A dubbed version of the film was split up into episodes and serialized on Britain television in the 1970's.

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Connections

Referenced in Krásný ztráty: Episode dated 12 May 2011 (2011)

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Soundtracks

Melodie beze slov
Music by Karel Svoboda
Performed by Jitka Molavcová

User Reviews

A lifelong love story...

This movie has been part of my life as long as I can remember. Fortunately Swiss TV made it a habit to broadcast it on or around Christmas every year. This would make it seem unnecessary to purchase a DVD, but I did so today anyway, as soon as I noticed it the fist time in the store, I didn't even bother looking at the price tag, which is uncommon for a me as a Swiss...

What makes this movie so unique in its kind is its appeal to every age group. For a small child, it's just a delightfull fairy tale with all necessary ingredients. A couple years older one appreciates the wonderful pictures of castles, animals, hunting scenes. Then I started understanding its special humour. Later of course I fell in love with the gorgeous youthful tomboyish main actress and couldn't see enough of her riding in moon light through a snowy landscape. Then I started noticing how innovative the style of the movie was in its time, how well done the cutting, how fitting the soundtrack. I also saw how well it portrays women as equal partners that are not defined by beauty alone. After all the prince has to acknowledge all of Cindarella's roles, (worker, huntress, and ball princess) before she agrees on marrying him.

Of course it has its little imperfections. Some of the actors can't quite reach the standard set by others. Some tricks like the flight of Rosalie (the owl) don't look right. Sometimes the pics are just a little too "kitsch". But it just doesn't matter. It's my favorite fairy tale movie, and it always will be. It's a lifelong love story, hopefully to be passed on to other generations.