Am a big fan of foreign fairy/folk tale films (among my favourite kinds of stories since forever), especially those from Russia, and Czechoslovakia proved with the likes of 'Three Wishes for Cinderella' and 'The Princess with the Golden Star' that it could do fairy/folk tale films extremely well. So hopes were high for 1952's 'The Proud Princess' when it appeared in my recomended for you section when reviewing 'The Princess with the Golden Star' over a year ago for those primary reasons.
'The Proud Princess' didn't disappoint, a real beauty with plenty to be proud of. Anybody that loves fairy/folk tale stories and films from around the world, or stories and films with elements should find a good deal to like about 'The Proud Princess'. Certainly did myself, love even, and found it every bit as great as the films mentioned above. It is to me up there as among the best Czech films overall as well (or at least of the films seen as of now, plenty more to see).
It's a good looking film, not elaborate as such but it's beautifully photographed and the attention to detail in the scenery and costuming enchants with a magical yet also realistic atmosphere created. Especially the shots of the wild woods. Even more enchanting is the music, absolutely love Czech music (being raised on the music of Dvorak and Smetana) and 'The Proud Princess' not only leaves my love for it unchanged but increased. So charming and infectious and the numbers are staged with naturalism and don't come over as static or overblown. Neither does any of the staging feel random.
Moreover, 'The Proud Princess' was directed in a way that indicated someone that knew what they were doing and had a lot of passion for the story. Bringing a lightness of touch, while not being too frothy, and it takes itself seriously in the right places without losing energy. The writing is both amusing and sincere, without getting saccharine or goofy, and the story entertains and charms with a real humanity that doesn't come over too heavily.
Really liked the characters, Krasomila at first does risk of falling into the trap of being annoying. Thankfully the initial snobbishness is not overplayed and the character progression doesn't feel too hasty or arrives too late. The most likeable character is Miroslav and it was very hard to resist the very endearing chemistry between the two leads. The performances are all natural and engaging, making their characters more than just fairy-tale cliches.
Concluding, wonderful. 10/10
