Puppet Films of Jiri Trnka

Featuring The Emperor's Nightingale

Based on the classic children's tale by Hans Christian Anderson, The Emperor's Nightingale tells the story of a lonely young boy who lives in a house full of untouched toys and too many rules -- and not nearly enough love or affection.In a feverish dream, his toys come to life and act out the story of the young Emperor of China who is liberated from the rules and rituals of the palace by the beauty of a nightingale's song.Both the boy and the Emperor learn the value of truth, freedom and friendship.

Also Includes These Shorts By Jiri Trnka:
Story of the Bass Cello:Chekhov's story about a bass player whose clothes are stolen while he's bathing in a river.

The Song of the Prairie:A parody of the wild American West, where the pistol rules the roost, timidity has no place, and love blossoms at first sight.

The Merry Circus:Neither a puppet film nor a cartoon, but an entirely unique means of expression and technique.This innovative short film was created by using paper cut-outs and stop-action photography.

A Drop Too Much:The tragic tale of a motorcyclist who, happily on his way to meet his fiancee, stops at a tavern with disastrous consequences.

The Hand:This was Trnka's last, and some say greatest film.An artist, happy in his life, devotes his time to making a pot for his favorite flower.But a giant hand appears and order him to create a statue of a hand instead.

Jiri Trnka: Puppet Animation Master:This brief documentary offers a glimpse of Trnka's genius.It includes clips of him working on his puppets and excerpts from such films as Grandpa Planted a Beet, The Czech Year, Price Bayaya and The Good Soldier Schweik.