Three Wishes For Cinderella [DVD]

Everyone is aware of Cinderella, mostly from reading the Charles Perrault story or from the 1950 Disney film. But the fable has even older origins and like many tales has several interpretations. Three Wishes for Cinderella (or Three Nuts for Popelka, as the Czech title transliterates to) is a film based on an adaptation by 19th century Czech writer Božena Němcová. In most part, it is the familiar tale we know. But Cinderella here shows a little more backbone than her in Perrault avatar. She can ride, hunt and play pranks as good as the boys (and the prince and his friends are little more than that, grown up boys), and even if she takes punishment from her stepmother, she occasionally shows her edge. In place of the Fairy Godmother, she gets a cluster of 3 acorns, each of which grants her a wish (mainly in the form of a dress). Libuše Šafránková in the title role is both gorgeous and capable, with a mischievous glint in her eye. And Cinderella here doesn't just gratefully fall into the prince's arms, nay she makes him chase her in her differently outfitted avatars. In comparison, the prince comes up a little short. He seems a little dumb and shallow, and the fact that he doesn't bat a lid when his friend suggests dragging Cinderella for a "tumble in the thorns" makes for a moment of unease. But this is overall well-made wholesome escapist fare, a far cry from the arty depressing films that Eastern Europe is normally associated. From the extras I gather it's a huge holiday favorite for television in Europe.Second Run's DVD is sourced from a new 4K restoration and looks appropriately beautiful.The colors are rich but in a realistic vein. I wish they had done a blu-ray for this. The dialog appears to have been recorded in post-production, due to the use of a multi-lingual cast. The major on-disc extra is a filmed appreciation by Michael Brooke who gives a breathless history of the rise in popularity of escapist fairy tale adaptations in the grim socio-political clime of the Czech Republic. He discusses the production of this film and its reception and enduring fame.

A quaint 1970s production of a classic tale, full of charm.

Excellent. My wife saw this when it was serialised on TV back in the 70s, and has been telling people about how good it was and how much she enjoyed it for years. So when she last mentioned it I did some research, realised that this must be what she'd seen and found that it had recently been re-mastered and released, so picked it up for her - and, having watched it, it's both a great version of the story (the traditional Czech version, apparently - in Czech with optional English subtitles), with more than a few humorous touches, and gorgeously shot as well. Well worth it.

I remember seeing a dubbed version of this on tv years ago so it must have made an impression on me. This version has subtitles but it did not detract from my enjoyment. It's not quite the version of the story we are used to, but don't let that put you off. It was also interesting to see the background information about how the film was made.

I haven't actually watched this dvd yet so I'm guessing it comes with English subtitles. The movie itself, though, I have watched countless times. It is shown every year on Christmas Eve in Norway. It has become part of our Christmas tradition and we are very fond of it. It has a Norwegian narrator rather than subtitles which (unintentionally, I'm sure) is quite hilarious to listen to. It's a lovely version of the Cinderella story and since I don't live in Norway anymore, I very rarely get to watch it. The only solution was to invest in the dvd.

Not many older movies of this kind translate well to today's children, but my daughter loved the tale of a strong-minded Cinderella, who can stand up to the step-mother and prince.It's quirky, of course but very charming.

I thought I'd dreamt this film until by chance I stumbled across it again. I'd watched it with the voiceover back in the 70's, but the upgraded subtitles give so much more detail and meaning to what is a classic story. I'm over the moon that I have found it again.

This is an enchanting classic story if Cinderella, enjoyable for children and their parents. The Czech take on the story is special, the locations are pleasant, casting is perfect and the English subtitles were very good.