Night at Karlštejn

Jaroslav Vrchlický's theatre play Night at Karlštejn was adapted into three films since its first performance in 1884. It was first made into a silent historical comedy in 1919, followed by a television version with music by Jiří Šlitr in 1965 and finally in 1973 Zdeněk Podskalský turned it into one of the most famous Czech film musicals. With catchy songs by Karel Svoboda and Jiří Štaidl, the film tells the story of the time of Emperor Charles IV, when women were, according to legend, forbidden to enter Karlštejn Castle. However, the ban was broken twice one night. In addition to Charles IV (Vlastimil Brodský), his fourth and last wife, Eliška Pomořanská (Jana Brejchová), and the purgrave's niece Alena (Daniela Kolářová), who made a bet with her father, also appear at the castle. The spectacular film was shot at Karlštejn and Křivoklát castles. A replica of the historic Luxembourg Hall was built in Barrandov studios for the film. In the attractive medieval backdrops, an intricate game of disguise is played out, in which men and women, courtly ethics and amorous feelings are pitted against each other. The film allowed the talents of the stars to shine through in acting and singing. Waldemar Matuška played the Cypriot King Peter, and Helena Vondráčková sang Jana Brejchová's songs in post-production.