Rosina the Foundling

Premiere: 14 December 1945

The most expensive Czech big-screen film up to that time was almost entirely shot during the German occupation in 1944 by Lucernafilm. After the liberation, the project was taken over by the State Film Production, completed and released as the first Czech film in the liberated Czechoslovak Republic. When the film was re-released, it was shortened.

"A Czech historical drama, based on the short story of the same name by Zikmund Wintr, set in the sultry pre-Bohemian period in the picturesque surroundings of the Agnes Monastery Na Františku, inhabited by the Prague scum of the time. The balladic story of a girl, suffering for her unknown origins and vainly seeking understanding and love, gives a picture of the morals of that time, burdened with superstitions and prejudices. The film is populated with carefully directed extras, cast with the finest Czech actors, of whom Glázrová stands out, supported by stylistic music and masterfully photographed. The subject matter is an escape film, made during the occupation. Despite the cold academicism of the treatment and the weaker performances, it is one of the best Czech films."

(Filmoteka 1946, no. 18)

+ short film

Rozina sebranec is being filmed

directed by Jan Staněk

Czechoslovakia 1944 / 5 min. / HD / silent

Amateur reportage from the shooting of the historical film directed by Otakar Vávra. Apart from well-known actors, director Vávra and cinematographer Jan Roth also appear in the footage.