Saturnin (1994) User Reviews

Good on its own, but inferior as a conversion of the book.

[D-Slam · 7/10 · 30 October 2002]

I first saw this film back in 1994 when I was ten years old, and I'd completely forgotten it since then. However, when I came across it on TV yesterday, I recognised it after the first tones of the music. So, that's the first point - the music is very good. That is, the parts that aren't played on a synthesiser are very good. (TV budget, you know...)

Now to the more important stuff. The acting is in no way amazing - after all, there isn't much to amaze with. Saturnin (Oldøich Vízner) and Aunt Kateøina (Jana Synková) are well-acted, but the others deliver worse performances. Ondøej Havelka is a good swing musician, but not an actor.

That being said, the film doesn't fail to deliver the humour and athmosphere the book did - only in smaller doses. The editing is abrupt in places (the film was made by cutting down a previously filmed TV series) and some scenes from the book have been omitted or altered (for example, IIRC, Jiøí's heroic jump into the lake is originally in vain, because Doctor Vlach has another key - see the film if you wonder what I'm talking about).

All in all, if you decide to watch this movie, you're in for some good gentle humour; but if you ever happen to come across the book ("Saturnin" by Zdenek Jirotka), grab it and don't let go.

One of the best films ever!

[JanZajic · 10/10 · 16 October 2009]

Saturnin is one of the best humorous books (and films) not only in the Czech republic! If you are fans of "english" style of humor like J. Herriot, J.K. Jerome, D. Adams, J.K. Toole, R. Fulghum or others, this film is the best choice for you. And I don't exaggerate. There aren't so many comedies better than this one. All seven main actors are amazing: Vizner, Havelka, Lasica, Lipsky, Vacek, Zednickova and Synkova. And music? There aren't words which can describe this fantastic score. If you think that it's film only for experienced adults, you aren't right. I'm teacher of Czech language and literature and all children which saw this film, like it very much. Really. I don't want to say more. Is depends only on you, if you believe me and you want to see this film...

Not just ANOTHER sit-com

[pallay · 7 April 2003]

A story to bright your day. Literary - EVERY DAY :-)

SATURNIN is, basically, a name of a very non-orthodox servant, hired in 1930's by a young gentile. All the crazy story goes on in a spirit of Jeeves-like-series. To put it simply - a non-English Woodehouse.

The story is (just like Woodehouse's Jeeves) - MARVELOUS. And the film tries to capture the basic spirit of the book.

My personal experience: you may have listened to a couple of songs - and when you see the video it's just the OUTMOST disappointment. This is NOT a case of SATURNIN. This film is at least a 60% destile of the book. Nothing can ever compare to the vision you've created in your mind - but this film tries to capture the basics.

My recom - GO 4 IT.

Elementary education

[jan-hranac · 10/10 · 18 November 2020]

When I was at elementary school, we watched this film on VHS in our mess hall during our literature class. Sure, our subsequent math class had to be sacrificed but that was OK because it was taught by the same teacher. I read the book afterwards a few times, of course. Even later, I've become enamored by Ondrej Havelka's persona but I was too busy to watch the full version. Until now. I watched the two and a half version and guys, it made me cry. This is old times concentrated. If I had lived in USA in 1920, I wouldn't have enjoyed half as much as this film.

Czech Jeeves

[Ignor · 6/10 · 7 April 2007]

Do you like Wodehouse's Jeeves? Yes? Then this film will match your preferences.

In essence, Saturnin is Jeeves-type butler - but in one way more ingenious, in another one more brutal. He simply likes to be a perfect butler - like Jeeves - but he also does not forget to entertain himself and acts according to his own hierarchy of values and logic. And, aside liking his job, he loves the other people to face strange, bizarre, or just unusual situations. But all his actions are carried in the top class butler manners and all his efforts serve interests of his employer. Saturnin's dream order is - to get unusual orders.

The film builds on an atmosphere of the thirties of the past century; the pre-war prosperity and high-middle class environment seems essential for the film to work well. Also, knowledge of the pre-war manners in Europe helps to really enjoy some of the wits.

This film would deserve higher marks by two points but the production was low-cost and you can notice it. The overlap with the TV series helps neither. It is a pity. Also, some of the well-know novel scenes could be transposed more elegantly.

To sum up - you might not like the movie as much as the book, which is, according to me, superior, but it definitely worths seeing (especially when you feel you need gentle humor to cheer yourself up).