Darbujan and Pandrhola – A Classic Czech Fairy Tale Film by Martin Fric
Darbujan and Pandrhola tells the story of Kuba, a poor coal miner, and his wife Markýtka, who have just welcomed their twelfth child. Struggling to provide for his growing family, Kuba seeks help from the wealthy brewer Pandrhola, who coldly refuses. On a quest to find a godfather for his newborn, Kuba rejects both God and the Devil, believing them unjust toward the poor, and instead chooses Death as the godfather.
With Death's blessing, Kuba becomes a renowned healer, charging the wealthy but treating the poor for free. When Pandrhola falls ill, Kuba initially refuses to help him, but after setting impossible tasks, he eventually heals him, going against Death's instructions. In revenge, Pandrhola traps Death in a barrel, causing a comical and chaotic world where neither people nor animals can die, leading to unexpected consequences.
This film, brought to life by Rudolf Hrušínský as Pandrhola, Jiří Sovák as Kuba, and František Lohniský in his iconic role as Death, combines humor with a moral lesson on wealth, justice, and the absurdity of life without death. It is a unique tale that strays from the classic princess storyline, offering an original perspective on social justice, making it a favorite among viewers of all ages.
And did you know? In one memorable scene, the Devil (played by Otakar Brousek) makes the “devil’s horns” hand gesture—something that Ronnie James Dio would popularize in metal culture decades later. With nearly 2.5 million cinema viewers, Darbujan and Pandrhola remains one of the most-watched fairy tales in Czechoslovak film history.
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https://czechmovie.com/blogs/about-czech-films/darbujan-and-pandrhola-a-classic-czech-fairy-tale-film-by-martin-fric