Johnny's Journey

Country

Czechoslovakia

Copyright

1956

Production year

1956

Premiere

15 March 1957

Runtime

72 min

Category

film

Genre

children

Typology

featuretheatrical distributionlong

Original title

Honzíkova cesta

Czech title

Honzíkova cesta

English title

Johnny's Journey

Summary

Writer Bohumil Říha’s works provided an inspiration to filmmakers on several occasions. In most cases, these were children’s stories – with Dým bramborové natě (Fires on Potato Fields, 1976) directed by František Vláčil, serving as the main exception. Říha’s stories first sparked filmmakers’ interest in 1956, with this adaptation of the eponymous children’s book Honzíkova cesta (Johnny's Journey), chosen by Milan Vošmik as his feature film directorial debut. Vošmik co-adapted the screenplay with the then freshman Ota Hofman, who in later years would become a favoured collaborator for the director. Non-professional actor Miroslav Červenka takes the title role as five-year-old Honzík, who is on vacation at his grandfather’s cottage. Vošmik utilises a number of notable actors in supporting – and often cameo – roles in this charming tale.

Synopsis

Five year old Honzík Tichý receives a letter in the kindergarten in which his grandfather is inviting him to visit. The boy really liked visiting his grandparents in the countryside last year, and he would like to go there again, but his parents don't have time to drive him. Honzík finally persuades his mother, and she agrees to let him go by train. The journey goes well and the grandfather is waiting for him with a horse-drawn carriage on the station in Koníkov. Honzík soon makes friends with the local children, most of all with the little school-girl Terezka. Only the mischievous Ferda gives him a hard time. Finally, the boys have a fight, and Ferda steals a small glass marble from Honzík. An older boy, Viktor, takes Honzík's side, and the thief has to give the marble back. On an invitation from schoolteacher Stolař, who once taught his father, Honzík visits the local school. He comes to the class with a tom-cat which immediately afterwards runs away. Ferda offers to help the boy find it but leads Honzík into the forest and leaves him there alone in revenge. The children go looking for the boy and find him sleeping in the grass. Honzík's mother comes to pick him up. Ferda also comes to say Honzík goodbye and gives him a small knife as an apology. To seal their friendship Honzík gives him his glass marble.

Cast

Miroslav Červenka

Honzík Tichý

Karel Höger

řídící učitel Stolař

Vlasta Chramostová

prodavačka Tichá, Honzíkova matka

Štěpánka Haničincová

učitelka v mateřské škole

Viola Zinková

průvodčí

Václav Trégl

družstevník s lívanci

Jiřina Bohdalová

sekretářka televize

Josef Hlinomaz

závozník

Josef Steigl

muž s hodinkami

Hermína Vojtová

družstevnice v jídelně

Milan Neděla

řidič televizního auta

Josef Šidlichovský

družstevník s pivem

Zdeněk Chudáček

kluk ve školce

Zuzana Ondrouchová

holčička ve školce

Waldemar Brochard

muž na nádraží

V. Peč

dítě

E. Stokuč

dítě

H. Zezulová

dítě

M. Jůnová

dítě

M. Bouzek

Crew and creators

Assistant Director

Květa Vostrovská, Eva Kubesová, Květa Ondráková, Magda Ivanovová

Based on

Bohumil Říha (Honzíkova cesta – kniha)

Director of Photography

Josef Střecha

Production Designer

Vladimír Labský

Assistent Production Designer

Bohumil Nový

Set Designer

František Straka, Kurt Stránský

Costume Designer

Lída Novotná

Costumes

Božena Pechová

Film Editor

Miroslav Hájek

Assistant Film Editor

Vilemína Prokopová

Sound Designer

Jiří Lenoch

Special Effects

Trikový ateliér

Production Manager

Jaroslav Jílovec

Unit Production Manager

Jaroslav Ullmann

Cooperation

Karel Přibil (vrchní osvětlovač)

Music

Music Composed by

Svatopluk Havelka

Music Performed by

FISYO (Music Conducted by Štěpán Koníček)

Production info

Original Title

Honzíkova cesta

Czech Title

Honzíkova cesta

English Title

Johnny's Journey

Category

film

Typology

featuretheatrical distribution

Genre

children

Origin country

Czechoslovakia

Copyright

1956

Production Year

1956

Production specifications

projection approval 8 December 1956
withdrawal from distribution 31 December 1991

Premiere

premiere 15 March 1957 /suitable for youths/ (kino Moskva /2 týdny/, Praha)

Copyright Holders

Národní filmový archiv

Technical info

Duration typology

feature film

Duration in minutes

72 min

Original length in metres

2 059 meters

Distribution carrier

16mm, 35mm

Aspect ratio

1:1,37

Colour

colour

Sound

sound

Sound system/format

mono

Versions

Czech

Dialogue languages

Czech

Subtitles languages

without subtitles

Opening/End credits languages

Czech

Awards

Vítěz

Festival: 18. mezinárodní filmový festival Benátky

1957
Benátky / Italy