Sir Arne's Treasure

Václav Bedřich is among the best Czech creators of animated films and has a nice string of films and series on his resume that have been praised by critics and audiences. Personally, however, he valued this work the most. He considered it the pinnacle of his work, and I think he was right. It's incredible how few film fans know this film and how sobering the reviews are compared to its qualities. Václav Bedřich repeatedly tried to step out of the production for a children's audience in his work and venture into the realm of sleazy genres, such as cheap detective stories or classic horror. Sir Arne's Treasure is based on a Nordic ballad about a bloody crime and has a beautifully gloomy atmosphere created primarily by Adolf Born's stylized and somewhat blurred drawing, as well as the music used in the film. Practically all the elements fit together beautifully, the only weaker aspect being the animation, but it simply corresponds to the 1960s and classic flat animation. Personally, it was one of the greatest experiences that Czech animated film has provided me. Overall impression: 100%. (31/05/2009)

A charming adaptation of one of Selma Lagerlöf's most famous works, already made famous by Mauritz Stiller's silent version. I have no objections to the artwork or Voska's commentary - they are excellent, but the very idea of processing such a large story in such a small space makes me wince. I could imagine it at least as a one-hour film, and that would make me feel even better. (30/01/2015)