This was the first opera turned into a film, and it's a wild and hilarious experiment - in almost every scene it shines through how the director wallowed in innovations and breakneck experiments - some scenes are absolutely stupendous, like the fighting spree in the night running amok. - This vein of good humor is perfectly matched with Smetana's equally wildly hilarious opera, and I am sure Smetana himself would have laughed his sides off. At the same time, it pays careful homage to the genuine idylls of the 1850s, the costumes are totally folklore and rustic, the primitivity is consistent and convincing all the way, the horses are for real with actual wild courses with interesting stunts, but above all Max Ophuls' genius shines through the entire production. It does not contain the whole opera of course, you couldn't do that with the experimental first effort to film an opera, but all the major titbits are there, and you miss nothing of Smetana's best music, which after all sets the final and definite touch of absolute comedy and high-humoured spirituality to the whole work. - No opera of Smetana's was more successful, he actually composed ten, and it is still successful yearly at the National Opera of Prague and has remained a stable success world wide on every international scene. Max Ophuls couldn't have failed in using this for the first opera film, and yet he adds to it, with brilliance.
I must agree, though, with the previous reviewer, that it badly needs some restoration.
I must agree, though, with the previous reviewer, that it badly needs some restoration.