User Reviews

This film is based on a classical story "The Devil`s Brother-in-law" written by the famous Czech fairy tale author Bozena Nemcova. The film, however, does not trace the story in every detail and has many interesting original episodes. One of the best features of this wonderful movie is the beautifully presented setting of Hell. Karel Hermanek as Lucipher is quite persuading and Jaroslava Kretschmerova as Peter`s stepmother cannot have played her role more authentically and in a more funny way than she did. Watch out for this movie, I guess it has not been on only in the Czech TV but also in Germany, Austria etc.

There are only four movies which I rated 10/10 so far. This one deserves it for many reasons. Great acting, beautiful costumes, hilarious dialogues... Some of the dialogues have become so popular that they get quoted in everyday speech.

Josef Kemr is great as the weakling duke, Petr Narozny as the sadistic Corporal, Ondrej Vetchy as the feckless Devil, Karel Hermanek as the manic Lucipher :) tell me of another Czech movie with so many good actors.

If the definition of a 'cult film' is "a film that dedicated fans can watch over and over again", then this is definitely a cult film.

I can think of only two other fairy tales that rank somewhere near this one: "Andel Pane" and "Tri Veterani".

The unusually enjoyable story (about a pauper messing with devils) seems to be located somewhere in late baroque times and it's not just a particular love story. It's very funny indeed, but also deeper thoughts can be revealed behind the lines. The creators keep questioning about the power of money. And the human society is sometimes more evil then the Hell itself. But don't worry, you don't have to think about the hidden meanings if you don't want to – this film was made mainly for entertainment.

The creators also designed a completely new view at the hell, its rules and its hierarchy. The conception of the love story is unusual as well. How many fairly tales with a love-triangle do you know? If you are expecting more than just an ordinary tale, you want to have fun and maybe something more, you are at the right address.

I don't like giving 1 or 10 stars, but this particular piece deserves 10, no question about it.