The disc got here 2-1/2 weeks before scheduled, and, yes, it DID play-- on both my Blu-Ray Player, and my computer DVD drive. But NOT on my regular DVD player, where, twice, it said, "unsupported disc". Well, no worries!
The entire menu was in Czech, so it was a bit challenging, but I found the English subtitles. I only wish the MANY extra features had subtltles, but what the hey. The quality of the film print is somewhat worn, but for a 1932 film, not bad, and it's certainly in MUCH better shape than the 1931 Raymond Massey "SPECKLED BAND". A lot of old films could use restorations. Right now, I think it's just a miracle I'm able to watch this at all!
The film is a COMEDY. It focuses on a poor guy (Vlasta Burian, known as "King of the Comics" in his country), who's always broke, who's hired to impersonate the ruler of a small country who's terrified of "anarchists" and assassination attempts. Holmes (Martin Fric) is essentially reduced to a "straight man" in this. Physically, he reminds me a bit of Peter Cook, except he plays his role entirely serious.
The photography in this looks very "silent movie"-era (no surprise, given when it was made), but the humor is like what you'd get if you crossed The Marx Brothers with Woody Allen. Really, this is one of the FUNNIEST films I've seen all year. I could not stop laughing for most of its length. Pretty amazing for a film in a foreign language where I'm reading subtitles.
A lot of the humor, once you get past the personality of the main character, is situational, as it quickly become obvious the real King is more cowardly than his imposter, and the fake King is more dynamic, more outgoing, more "take-charge", and becomes far more popular not only with his people, but with The Queen! Holmes still manages to play an important role, as twice he saves them from being murdered. But it's funny to see the man who's so intelligent and capable, increasingly lose control of the situation.
HIGHLY reccomended!
The entire menu was in Czech, so it was a bit challenging, but I found the English subtitles. I only wish the MANY extra features had subtltles, but what the hey. The quality of the film print is somewhat worn, but for a 1932 film, not bad, and it's certainly in MUCH better shape than the 1931 Raymond Massey "SPECKLED BAND". A lot of old films could use restorations. Right now, I think it's just a miracle I'm able to watch this at all!
The film is a COMEDY. It focuses on a poor guy (Vlasta Burian, known as "King of the Comics" in his country), who's always broke, who's hired to impersonate the ruler of a small country who's terrified of "anarchists" and assassination attempts. Holmes (Martin Fric) is essentially reduced to a "straight man" in this. Physically, he reminds me a bit of Peter Cook, except he plays his role entirely serious.
The photography in this looks very "silent movie"-era (no surprise, given when it was made), but the humor is like what you'd get if you crossed The Marx Brothers with Woody Allen. Really, this is one of the FUNNIEST films I've seen all year. I could not stop laughing for most of its length. Pretty amazing for a film in a foreign language where I'm reading subtitles.
A lot of the humor, once you get past the personality of the main character, is situational, as it quickly become obvious the real King is more cowardly than his imposter, and the fake King is more dynamic, more outgoing, more "take-charge", and becomes far more popular not only with his people, but with The Queen! Holmes still manages to play an important role, as twice he saves them from being murdered. But it's funny to see the man who's so intelligent and capable, increasingly lose control of the situation.
HIGHLY reccomended!
