Cinema
The Proud Princess
Pyšná princezna
Bořivoj Zeman · 1952
Synopsis
The capricious Princess Krasomila turns down the wise King Miroslav, who had asked for her hand. To teach the proud girl a lesson, the king goes incognito to the neighbouring kingdom and enters the castle as a gardener; with the help of an enchanted plant that sings, he wins the princess's attention, and she grows attached to him without knowing who he is and gradually learns humility.
Context
Based on a tale by Božena Němcová, Potrestaná pýcha, the film was written by Henryk Bloch, Oldřich Kautský and the director, and was released on 26 September 1952. The national film archives also see in it a carefully constructed work of propaganda: Miroslav's prosperous kingdom resembles a communist country where everyone works, facing the harsh kingdom of Midnight. The two leading roles are played by Alena Vránová and Vladimír Ráž.
Who it is for
Ninety-four minutes, for all ages; the film remains one of the most watched on Czech television.
Prizes and reception
The most-watched film in the history of Czech cinema, with more than eight million viewers, awarded a prize on that account in 1974.