“Murdering the Devil” and “Three Wishes for Cinderella” are restored 1970s Czech films

The Czech Film Archive has recently digitally restored two previously censored Czechoslovakian films: "Murdering the Devil" (1970) and "Three Wishes for Cinderella" (1973). I can't quite fathom the pleasure possibly offered in either, beyond historical value, for my viewing experiences fell into the bizarre, perplexing category. Both films, to their credit, do plunge unapologetically headlong into fantastical, surreal territory.

The single directing effort by distinguished New Wave costume designer Ester Krumbachová, "Murdering the Devil" takes place in an unnamed, middle-aged bachlorette's apartment. Eager for romance leading to marriage, she invites a former friend for dinner, Mr. Theo Devil, his very name telegraphing screenplay writer Krumbachová's satiric mindset. Through one disgusting, gluttonous overindulgence after another, delivered in nauseating closeups, Theo feasts on an excess of food and, unsatiated, even gnaws on the furniture.

The woman, who brags of her culinary ability, oohs and aahs, presenting a most obsequious server, until she isn't. Praised as inspiration for the Czech New Wave, "Murdering the Devil" exaggerates to skewer gender stereotypes as the woman feigns stupidity and the man nothing but indulgence.

By contrast, "Three Wishes for Cinderella" reinterprets the familiar fairy tale, presenting the attractive servant as a spunky animal whisperer. Cinderella's magical horse, white doves, and owl support her feisty intervention in the king's, queen's, and prince's entourage visit. More accurately than the title's "Three Wishes," Cinderella poses three riddles to the prince who finds her in his hunt for the legendary slipper's owner. Clever and coy, she entices the prince to the desired, expected, romantic ending.

These two 1970s films both suffered from various censorship problems enforced by the then Czech government. Their 4K restoration deserves celebration, though appreciation of the films relies on their historical rather than aesthetic or technical achievements. In Czech with English subtitles, "Murdering the Devil" screens one night only, Tuesday, December 17, and "Three Wishes for Cinderella" one night only, Thursday, December 19, both at Webster University’s Winifred Moore auditorium at 7:00 those evenings. For more information, you may visit the film series website at: Webster.edu/filmseries.