The Emperor's mismanagement of his country is provoking some in his court to plot to overthrow him. He feels successful, at least, when he discovers the legendary Golem, which he believes can protect him and even cure his imaginary illnesses but, when he disappears while on a bender, his kindly baker, who looks just like him, is mistaken for him, and begins to put things in order. However, the conspirators, not to be outdone, determine to bring the Golem back to life to do their bidding.
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What a wonderful movie full of inspiring ideas! A well-scripted, well-acted, and on overall rich movie from the era of Rudolph II, a Holy Roman Emperor of the 16th century, resident in Prague, the central residence of the Roman Empire of the 1600s.This film images a central theme revolving around the philosophical idea expressed first by Montesquieu in the 18th century, that an absolute concentration of power in the hand of one ruler would eventually lead to tyranny and oppression of the people. This movie portrays this very well by the expressive acting of Werich, a Czechoslowak classic actor.A movie well overlooked in the West for its main theme can only be viewed if you buy it in Prague on some of the DVDs which are still in distribution.
If this film (actually two short films of a length that with an intermission they make up the standard length of a Hollywood blockbuster) was more widely known internationally it would undoubtedly be regarded as a classic. I first came across this film completely by accident when I purchased the DVD on a visit to Prague solely on the strength of it having an appealing cover and English subtitles (not a practice I would usually recommend), and totally by accident discovered a wonderful comedy, which has become one of my favourite films. The production values are high with magnificent sets, beautiful costumes and plenty of colour. The script is comic genius, with two tour de force hilarious central performances in duel roles by Jan Werich as both eccentric Emperor Rudolf II, given to sudden outbursts of temper which subside just as quickly, whose two obsessions are discovering a potion for reviving his youth and bringing to life a large stone golem, with little regard for the needs of his subjects, and also as the Emperor's baker, who, through a comedy of errors, winds up taking the Emperor's place and putting the world to rights. The supporting cast are also uniformly excellent, totally in tune throughout. I gather there was an abbreviated version issued for international release, but I would strongly recommend seeking out the full length original to view as it was intended as there isn't a scene goes by that isn't worth savouring.
