Little Bobeš

Country

Czechoslovakia

Copyright

1961

Production year

1961

Premiere

9 February 1962

Runtime

75 min

Category

film

Genre

children

Typology

featuretheatrical distributionlong

Original title

Malý Bobeš

Czech title

Malý Bobeš

English title

Little Bobeš

Summary

Based on a novel by Josef Věromír Pleva first published in 1931, and which remained popular for many decades (it was still required reading at Czechoslovak schools in the 1970s). The book and 1961 film tell the story of a six-year-old boy, living in pre-WWII Czechoslovakia. His ideal childhood is disturbed by tough socio-economic circumstances. Directed by the experienced Jan Valášek, the film sees Josef Janouš (nicknamed Bobeš) living out a carefree existence in his home village. But a shadow falls over the happy family when the father is injured during his forestry work. The Janouš family is forced to move to the city, where they hope to establish a new, better life. These experiences were afterwards conveyed via a sequel film released one year later, also directed by Valášek. In Malý Bobeš ve městě (Little Bobeš in Town, 1962) young Jirka Lukeš reprises his role alongside parents Dana Medřická and Radovan Lukavský.

Synopsis

Six-year old Bobeš Janouš lives in a village with his parents and grandparents. The family is poor, but there is a nice atmosphere and good cheer in their little house for they love each other. The curious Bobeš learns a lot about both nature and people on his expeditions. He likes the village magistrate's little daughter Boženka and would like to play with her. But the magistrate's wife does not approve of their friendship. Bobeš has also big troubles with the wanton sons of old Bezručka - the boys are wild and even steal. Their father does not have a job and the family lives in deep poverty. Thanks to Bobeš's endeavours, Libra the magistrate saves the Janouš family's flatulent cow but solely to test his new instrument - a trocar. When Bobeš's father is seriously wounded by a falling log while working in the forest, Libra refuses to lend his horse to bring medical help. The family is helped by Bezručka, who alone runs to the town and comes back with a doctor in time. After the injury, the father cannot work in the forest any more, but the magistrate does not want to give him an easier job. Bobeš saves Boženka's life when she is pushed into the pond by the conceited Vašík from the gamekeeper's lodge. Libra rewards Bobeš with a silver coin, but the Janouš's refuse to accept the mean pittance and return the money. Poverty forces the family to sell their little house and move to the town, where the father will hopefully find a job. Boženka sadly waves goodbye to Bobeš as he leaves with his parents, heading towards a new life.

Cast

Jiří Lukeš

Josef Janouš, zvaný Bobeš

Jana Zatloukalová

Boženka Librová

Tomáš Hádl

Honzík, Bobšův kamarád

Miroslav Kolařík

Franta

Petr Zelenohorský

Vašík

Kamila Neubauerová

Manča

Jiřina Rozkošná

Terka

Dana Medřická

Bobešova matka

Radovan Lukavský

Bobešův otec

Mária Sýkorová

Bobešova babička

Stanislav Neumann

Bobešův dědeček

Gustav Nezval

rychtář Libra, Boženčin otec

Nina Popelíková

Librová, Boženčina matka

Eman Fiala

řezbář Heršl

Jaroslav Moučka

podruh Bezručka

Libuše Pešková

Bezručkova žena

František Šlégr

Vencl, obchodník s dobytkem

Jana Rubášová

Fanka, služka u rychtářů

Crew and creators

Second Unit Director

Hynek Bočan

Assistant Director

Ondrej Očenáš, Zdenka Pešulová

Based on

J. V. Pleva (Malý Bobeš – kniha)

Shooting Script

Jan Valášek

Director of Photography

Ivan V. Frič

Second Unit Photography

Josef Pávek

Camera Operator

Bohumil Paris

Production Designer

Boris Moravec

Assistent Production Designer

Bohumil Dudař

Art Director

Ivo Houf

Set Designer

Jiří Drégr, Bedřich Čermák, František Straka

Costume Designer

Fernand Vácha

Assistant Film Editor

Diana Heringová

Sound Designer

Roman Hloch, Bohumír Brunclík (zvukové efekty)

Production Manager

Eliška Nejedlá

Unit Production Manager

Josef Pitrák, Vladislav Špidra

Unit Production Manager

Mojmír Ticháček

Consultant

František Tenčík, Bohuslav Pleva

Cooperation

Jana Těžká (klapka), Ivan V. Frič (fotograf)

Music

Music Composed by

Emil Ludvík

Music Performed by

FISYO (Music Conducted by František Belfín)

Production info

Original Title

Malý Bobeš

Czech Title

Malý Bobeš

English Title

Little Bobeš

Category

film

Typology

featuretheatrical distribution

Genre

children

Origin country

Czechoslovakia

Copyright

1961

Production Year

1961

Production specifications

literary Screenplay approved 18 May 1960
technical Screenplay approved 18 April 1961
start of filming 18 May 1961
end of filming 28 August 1961
projection approval 25 October 1961
withdrawal from distribution 31 December 1991

Premiere

premiere 9 February 1962 /suitable for youths/ (kino Belvedere /1 týden/, Praha)
premiere 9 February 1962 /suitable for youths/ (celostátní)

Copyright Holders

Národní filmový archiv

Studio

Hostivař

Creative Group

Tvůrčí skupina Hanuš – Procházka, Ladislav Hanuš (vedoucí výroby tvůrčí skupiny), Jan Procházka (vedoucí dramaturg tvůrčí skupiny)

Technical info

Duration typology

feature film

Duration in minutes

75 min

Original length in metres

2 125 meters

Distribution carrier

16mm, 35mm

Aspect ratio

1:1,37

Colour

black & white

Sound

sound

Sound system/format

mono

Versions

Czech

Dialogue languages

Czech

Subtitles languages

without subtitles

Opening/End credits languages

Czech