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80% Critic Match
Once Upon a Time, There Was a King...
8.0 / 10• 1955• 1h 47m•NR• Czech
FamilyComedyFantasy
Storyline
A selfish self-centered widowed ruler, barely tolerated by his subjects and called appropriately enough, 'King Myself, First' asks his three daughters to name the measure of their love for him. When one of them says, "more than salt", he banishes her from the kingdom. Not understanding what she meant the King assumes love can only be measured by precious metals or one's own talent, the 'correct' answers from his other two daughters. The arrogance of the King leads him to gather all the salt in the kingdom and destroy it. Of course, this backfires as he slowly learns the universal value of the substance, and of course, the essence of his daughter's reply. With the help of the wise and magical old 'herb woman', the King also learns what it means to be a true and wise ruler.
Cast & Crew
Jan Werich
král Já I.
Lead
Vlasta Burian
kancléř Atakdále
Irena Kačírková
princezna Drahomíra
Stella Májová
princezna Zpěvanka
Milena Dvorská
princezna Maruška
František Černý
kuchař
Lubomír Lipský
princ chrabrý, syn Děloslava VIII.
Miloš Kopecký
chytrý princ
What People Are Saying
4.0
“A staggering achievement of craft and ambition. Bořivoj Zeman's vision lands with breathtaking precision.”
4.0
“Every frame feels alive. Once Upon a Time, There Was a King... is the rare release that takes its audience seriously.”
