Cast
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Karel Roden
as František Šíma
Zuzana Fialová
as Marie Vanková
Zuzana Bydžovská
as Anezka Símová
Roman Luknár
as Vlcek
Marek Adamczyk
as Václav Fiala
Jan Budař
as Safebreaker Petiska
Ondřej Novák
as Karel Šíma
Adam Kubišta
as Eda Síma
Veronika Khek Kubařová
as Anička
Detlef Bothe
as Reinhard Heydrich
Joachim Paul Assböck
as Harald Wiesmann
Bořík Procházka
as Farár
Mariusz Osmelak
as Kowalski
Sabina Remundová
as Tonicka Farská
Anna Kratochvílová
as Ruzenka
Crew
Director
- Petr Nikolaev
Producer
- Adam Dvořák
Reviews
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The story is based on the massacre in the Czech village of Lidice in central Bohemia. In June 1942, Lidice was exterminated and burnt by Nazis in retaliation for the assassination of Reich Protector Reinhard Heydrich. However, Lidice is not a classical war movie, but a psychological drama based on the true story of a man who survived the massacre. Facts: Lidice was completely wiped off the map, its buildings was burned, then blew up the structures. They also razed the church and the cemetery. Males above the age of sixteen, all were shot to death. The women and children were taken to the gym of the elementary school in Kladno. 3 days later, the children were taken from their mothers. The women were sent to the Ravensbruck concentration camp. The children – the youngest a year and six days old – were sent to Lodz, Poland. There they lived for the next three weeks. Then, an order came that they were to be sent to the Chelmno death camp. The children were told to undress for a “shower” before the journey. In their underwear, holding soap and towels, they were loaded onto a truck that had been modified so that the exhaust fumes were sent into the back of the vehicle. Within eight minutes, the children in the truck were dead. There had been 105 children in Lidice. 17 survived the war.
Aug 28, 2015
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, The Butcher of Prague examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Petr Nikolaev brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2011, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Butcher of Prague took approximately 5 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 126 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 181 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 4 months to complete.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 7 weeks before filming began.
- The film contains approximately 928 individual shots.
Historical Context
- In 2011, when this film is released:
- Streaming services were revolutionizing film and television consumption.
- Political polarization was intensifying in many countries.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Butcher of Prague shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike All Quiet on the Western Front, which focuses more on action than character development, The Butcher of Prague offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and The Secret Life of Words explore similar territory, The Butcher of Prague stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: June 2, 2011
- Runtime: 2h 6m
