The Valley of the Bees

The story of a religious fanatic who does not hesitate to take up the sword for the glory of God and for whom the desire for a normal life is alien. It is hard to believe that this film was made mainly to use the costumes from Markéta Lazarová. The Valley of the Bees is equally exquisite, oozing the atmosphere of the 13th century, and Zdeněk Liška's music is unique as always. (11/05/2003)

Much easier to grasp in terms of content than the poetic Markéta Lazarová, but at the same time less interesting and expressive. Many passages are too cold and emotionally empty, which may have been the intention given Vláčil's approach to the dark Middle Ages, but this time boredom creeps in more, its deadly effects countered primarily by the beautiful authentic music by master Liška. Fortunately, there’s the cast led by the amazing Čepek, chilling and raw sets, great costumes and a strong story that always manages to evoke exactly the right feelings. It's a pity that the script runs out of breath in the middle (though, fortunately, it gets it back by the end). 75% (08/12/2013)

A very precise and raw (often even brutal) film, visually enhanced by black and white cinematography and an authentic medieval setting. The acting performances of the main characters were convincing and the music by Zdeněk Liška complemented the powerful visuals perfectly. How far are we actually willing to go for what we believe in? (25/02/2012)

A film considered one of the best Czech films ever made. When I was watching it, I felt like I was watching Bergman. Slow but intensely gripping, with incredible acting performances that only enhance the power of the overall experience. It's one of those must-see films. It might leave you cold, and you might say it's for intellectuals, but still, somewhere deep down, you'll feel that it did something to you. (23/12/2014)

A cinematic delicacy that emerged as a side product and poorer sibling of Markéta Lazarová. The plot is fundamentally very simple, yet it is filmed poetically and rawly, making for an extraordinarily evocative cinematic experience with perfectly tailored music, excellent cinematography, and stellar performances by Petr Čepek and Jan Kačer. In this film, the saying "there are no small roles" holds true. I assert that if it were made in color, The Valley of the Bees would be half as impactful; the black-and-white material contributes significantly to the ballad-like atmosphere of the story. Overall impression: 95%. (29/04/2007)