Director: Václav Vorlícek
Screenplay: Frantisek Pavlícek, Václav Vorlícek
Based on a Story by: Bozena Nemcová
Starring: Libuse Safránková, Pavel Trávnícek, Carola Braunbock, Rolf Hoppe, Karin Lesch, Dana Hlavácová, Vladimír Mensík
Country: Czechoslovakia, East Germany
Running Time: 89 min
Year: 1973
BBFC Certificate: PG
The Cinderella story is one that has been interpreted countless times over centuries after supposedly originating from folk tales from China in 860 AD. Like a lot of fairy tales though, most people’s knowledge of it now stems from a Disney adaptation (or two, if you count the live action remake).
However, in many European countries, there’s another adaptation that is much loved and regularly viewed by audiences young and old, particularly around Christmas. That is Václav Vorlíček’s 1973 film, Three Wishes for Cinderella (a.k.a. Tři oříšky pro Popelku).
The script was based on the best known Czech version of the folk story, entitled ‘O Popelce’ and written by Božena Němcová in 1862. This explains the differences between the story on screen and that most English and American audiences are more familiar with, though writer … also made quite a few alterations to Němcová’s take on the folk tale.
Despite being a holiday staple in several countries and screening in a serialised form on TV in the 70s in the UK, it’s not a film that’s well known over here. In a bid to show people there’s more to Czech cinema than the new wave though, Second Run are releasing Three Wishes for Cinderella on Blu-ray, updating the DVD release they put out almost a decade ago with a version produced from a more recent 4k restoration.
I wasn’t originally planning on reviewing this as I was too busy over the Christmas period. However, I took it along on holiday with me and found time to watch it with my two daughters. It went down well with all three of us, so I figured I’d try to squeeze a review in.
In Three Wishes for Cinderella, Libuše Šafránková plays the titular character. In this version of the classic tale, we are introduced to her in the usual fashion, being downtrodden by her wicked stepmother (Carola Braunbock) and stepsister (only one this time, played by Daniela Hlaváčová) and forced into a life of servitude following the death of her father.
However, Cinderella is tougher this time around. She gets her white dove friends to do the housework she’s been tasked with and sneaks out of the estate on her white horse, whom she loves more than anyone else.
Whilst out riding, Cinderella comes across the boisterous Prince (Pavel Trávníček), who’s hunting with his friends instead of following his father in the usual pomp and ceremony his role entails. Cinderella throws a snowball to stop the Prince from killing a deer and the young man chases her. She eventually escapes on his horse and heads back home.
Later, a ball is put on to find a potential wife for the Prince, who isn’t in the least bit interested in the endeavour. Cinderella’s stepmother sends a servant named Vincek (Vladimír Menšík) to get the finest gowns and materials so that they can go to the ball, whilst Cinderella is told she must stay home.
Vincek says he would help Cinderella if he could and he unknowingly gets his chance when a prank lands three hazelnuts on the servant’s lap. He gives these to Cinderella as a gift and they end up being magic.
Aided by her owl friend, Cinderella uses the first of the magic hazelnuts to conjur up a hunting outfit so she can further toy with the Prince. Then she uses the second to create a beautiful dress to go to the ball, against her stepmother’s wishes. The third’s use I won’t divulge but I will say that the story following the ball more closely resembles the Cinderella tale you’re likely more familiar with.
The biggest difference between Three Wishes for Cinderella and the Disney versions is that the protagonist is much stronger, making for a more progressive film, from a feminist point of view. Right from the start, Cinderella isn’t afraid to speak her mind against her stepmother and sneaks out of the house whenever she finds the chance to go riding by herself. She has no fairy godmother fixing everything for her either. She decides what to do with the magic she comes across. She toys with the Prince and his affections too, rather than simply falling into his arms.
The romance is not lost through this feminist slant though. In fact, it works a treat, as the central pair are perfect for one another. Both fight to cut their own paths in life, against their parents’ wishes, and both have a fondness for being out in the wild (though the Prince seems to enjoy it mainly as a hunting ground). As such, you genuinely want the couple to be together. It’s not just about the poor servant being made a princess.
Speaking of being out in the wild, the film makes great use of nature. On top of acting as a replacement for the more magical characters in the Disneyfied versions of the story, the natural world is also put to great use in a visual sense, with some attractive location photography.
Through this and the wonderful production design, an earthy, lived-in quality resonates throughout the film. It isn’t set in a glossy, elaborately designed fantasy world, though the castle interiors are more colourful and clean, effectively setting them apart. Some of the stepmother’s costumes are over-the-top too, for comic effect.
The cast is also strong. Šafránková was only 19 at the time, though she’d been in a few films already. She became a big star following Three Wishes for Cinderella, aided by its immense popularity. She has strong chemistry with Trávníček and the supporting cast are a lot of fun too. I enjoyed Rolf Hoppe and Karin Lesch as the King and Queen, Carola Braunbock makes for a wonderfully wicked stepmother and the great Vladimír Menšík makes an impact with his relatively small but important role.
The music is beautiful too, blending the pastoral with the regal and the romantic. I wasn’t a fan of the cheesy ballad that features a couple of times in the latter portion of the film though.
So, overall, Three Wishes for Cinderella is a thoroughly delightful and forward-thinking spin on a classic tale. I’m glad I found the time to watch it and my daughters were suitably entranced too.
Film:
Three Wishes for Cinderella is out now on region-free Blu-ray, released by Second Run. Their older DVD release is still available too, though there are fewer special features with that and it’s from an older restoration, I believe. The new transfer is very good. Colours are pleasingly earthy and I didn’t spot any damage. I’ve used screengrabs throughout this review to give you an idea of how it looks. The audio is well handled too.
BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES
• Three Wishes for Cinderella (Tři oříšky pro Popelku, 1973) presented from a 4K restoration by the Czech National Film Archive.
• A new and expansive filmed appreciation by writer, producer and Czechoslovak cinema specialist Michael Brooke.
• Cinderella (Popelka, 1929): An early Czech silent film version of the classic tale directed by Josef Kokeisl.
• The Little Shoe (Střevíček, 1937): A short animated Czech film by Jiří Fridrich.
• Original theatrical trailer and 2015 restoration trailer
• Booklet featuring an essay by author, film critic and historian Tim Lucas.
• New and improved English subtitle translation.
• UK premiere on Blu-ray.
Perhaps the most notable extra feature on the disc is a bonus film in the form of a silent version of the Cinderella story, made in 1929 and directed by Josef Kokeisl. Unfortunately, I haven’t had chance to watch this yet, as I’ve been busy over the Christmas period, but it’s a generous addition to the release.
There’s also a short animated take on the fairy tale’s final act, called The Little Shoe, directed by Jiří Fridrich in 1937. This has quite basic animation but an unusually attractive art style. Much to my and my kids’ amusement, it’s revealed to be an advert for a shoe brand by the end though!
Michael Brooke re-records and expands/updates his piece from Second Run’s older DVD release of the film. He begins by talking about the popularity and importance of the pohádky (fairy tales) genre in Czechoslovakia and how cineasts outside the country tend to overlook them. He then goes on to discuss Three Wishes for Cinderella in more detail. As usual for Brooke, his piece is incredibly well-researched and engaging.
The booklet contains an excellent essay by Tim Lucas. In his writing, he discusses the different versions of the Cinderella story, describing the plot of the particular variation that inspired the titular tale the film is based on. He then goes on to discuss the myriad qualities of the film.
Disc/Package:
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