Summary
Popular detective story writer Václav Erben adapted two of his works for the big screen –Poklad byzantského kupce (The Treasure of a Byzantine Merchant, 1966), and Smrt talentovaného ševce (The Death of a Talented Shoemaker, 1982) – while a third, Čas pracuje pro vraha (Time Works for the Murderer, 1979), was adapted by another writer. Erben’s image of an ironic, smart, and elegant investigator was embodied by a different actor in each on-screen adaptation: Jiří Vala, František Němec and Jiří Kodet. While the 1979 film brings us the quick-witted Captain Marha, the other two movies feature the author’s favourite hero, namely Captain Exner. In director Ivo Novák’s Poklad byzantského kupce the detective is assisted by charming student Kamila in investigating a murder that has taken place in the outwardly calm environs of the archaeological world. Also mixed up in the case is a 9th-century treasure. In this witty tale, the role of Kamila is gracefully performed by Gabriela Vránová. A supporting cast of archaeologists is provided by Jiří Sovák, Vladimír Šmeral and Ilja Prachař.
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