Discover the internationally revered master of puppet animation, Jiri Trnka (1912–1969), often dubbed 'the European Walt Disney'. This collection showcases his triumphant experiments in stop-motion cinematography, where he created magical worlds often borrowing from Czechoslovak folklore and employing allegory for political satire. This set features two of his most intricate and beloved works, presented from 4K restorations.

Key Features/Benefits

• Two-disc Limited Slipcase Edition, strictly limited to 2,000 copies for the first pressing.
• Includes Old Czech Legends (1953) and The Czech Year (1947), presented from 4K restorations by the Czech National Film Archive.
• Region free Blu-ray format (A/B/C).
• World premieres on Blu-ray for these features.
• New and improved English subtitle translations available.

What's Included / Contents

This set brings together:

• Old Czech Legends (Stare povesti ceske, 1953)
• The Czech Year (Spalicek, 1947)
• The Hand (Ruka, 1965): Trnka's renowned animated short film.
• Badly Painted Hen (Spatne namalovana slepice, 1963): Animated short film by Jirí Brdecka.
• Bonus Features: Michael Brooke on Jiri Trnka and Czech animation (new video essay), Introductions to both films, The Puppets of Jiri Trnka documentary, Archival Czech newsreels on Trnka.
• Booklet featuring writing by Czechoslovak cinema experts Peter Hames and Jonathan Owen.

Specifications

• Brand/Manufacturer: Second Run
• Format: Blu-ray
• Edition: Limited Edition
• Run Time: Approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes (Note: This run time may apply to one feature; the set contains two features plus shorts/extras).
• Language: English, Czech
• Subtitles: New and improved English subtitle translations
• Director: Jiri Trnka
• Actors: Jiri Trnka
• Rated: Parental Guidance

Experience the epic animation spectacles of Jiri Trnka, combining elaborate camera work, design, and puppetry with magical storytelling in this definitive, limited-edition Blu-ray release.