The Valley of the Bees

Plot

Th film is set in 13th century. Lord of Vlkov marries much younger Lenora. He almost kills his son Ondřej who scares her by his gift. He prays for the boy to survive. He promises to God that he will give Ondřej to Teutonic Order if he survives. Ondřej is healed and sent to the Baltic Sea whe he joins Teutonic Order. He befriends Armn who becomes his mentor and protector. Armin participated in crusades to Jerusalem and is a fanatic who is devoted to God.

Knight Rotgier tries to leave the order and escapes. Ondřej, Armin and other members chase him. He is found by Ondřej and tries to convince Ondřej to leave the order. Ondřej hesitates to arrest him but declines. Rotgier injures him and steal his horse. Rotgier is eventually captured and executed for attacking Ondřej. Ondřej is punished by penitence for his weakness. Ondřej decides to run away. Armin decides to track him down.

Armin travels to Bohemia where he hears about Ondřej from chargers who tried to rob him. They want to rob him and Armin decides to go with them. When they surprise Ondřej, Armin attacks chargers. Chargers are killed by Armin but Ondřej's sword is broken and Armin forces him to go with him. Ondřej escapes when Armin decides to drink and Ondřej hirs him with a stone and Armin falls unconscious.

Ondřej returns home only to find out his father is dead. He takes care of father's business but feels remorse about what he did to Armin. Ondřej falls in love with Lenora and convinces local priest to marry them. When they are getting married, Armin shows up. Ondřej invites him to the wedding but tension beetween them runs out. Ondřej convinces Armin to spent night in Vlkov. During the night, Armin gets to Lenora's chambers and murders her. He gets caught and Ondřej decides to execute him in a similar matter as Rotgier was killed. Armin begs Ondřej to return to the order before his death. The film concludes with Ondrej's return to Teutonic Order.

Cast

Production

The film was produced after Vláčil's previous film Marketa Lazarová. The film was very expansive and Barrandov Studios ordered Vláčil to make another film set in Medieval so properties and costumes would be used in another film. Crew couldn't shoot in the same location because scenery was stolen. The film was eventually shot at Church Kuklov near Brloh. Some parts were shot in Poland.

Jan Kačer was chosen to star as Armin and Ondřej. It proved to be technically impossible for him to ply both characters. Kačer then suggested Petr Čepek to play Ondřej.

Reception

Critical reception at the time of release was negative. Critical opinion later changed and The Valley of the Bees is considered one of Vláčil's best films.