I Served the King of England/Obsluhoval jsem anglického krále (2006) - Cheerful, fine adaptation from Menzel

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A proud diminutive man in a penguin suit with a comically large lace of distinction across his chest makes up this eye-catching poster for Jirí Menzel's I Served the King of England

A small man in Prague, Jan Dite, wants more than anything to become a millionaire and through his work as a servant, - and his marriage to the German Liza, - he achieves just this.

 

I Served the King of England is written and directed by Jirí Menzel (Closely Watched Trains/Ostrzhe sledované vlaky (1966)), adapting the same-titled 1973 novel by Bohumil Hrabal (Closely Watched Trains/Ostře sledované vlaky (1965)). The title is a literal translation of the original Czech title.

Here's a cheerful, playful and infectious tale. Oldrich Kaiser (Na vode (2016, TV-series)) as the old version of Dite doesn't look at all like Ivan Barnev (Blessed Are the Meek (2020)) as the younger version, and the man's childlike evasion of negative consequences of his actions in life are perhaps a bit overly conspicuous.

But I Served the King of England has funny scenes (among others some with the boss, played by Marián Labuda (Destová víla (2010))), lovely women and highly esteemed images (cinematography by Jaromír Sofr (S certy nejsou zerty (1985))). The film is a humanistic portrayal of courage, love, sex and the changing times.

 

 

Watch a trailer for the film here

 

Cost: 3.2 mil. $

Box office: 7.3 mil. $

= Minor flop (returned 2.28 times its cost)

[I Served the King of England premiered 18 December (Prague) and runs 120 minutes. 10 companies and support bodies cooperated in the financing and production of the film. Shooting took place from March - June 2006 in the Czech Republic, including in Prague. The film opened #48 to a 53k $ first weekend in 8 theaters in North America, the film's 3rd biggest market, where it peaked at #42 and in 38 theaters and grossed 617k $ (8.5 % of the total gross). The film was #1 for 8 straight weekends in the Czech Republic, its biggest market, where it grossed 4.1 mil. $ (56.2 %). The 2nd biggest market was Spain with 621k $ (8.5 %). The film was nominated for a European Film award, among other honors. Roger Ebert gave it a 3/4 star review, equal in rating to this one. Menzel returned with Jirí Menzel: 7 Questions (2011, video documentary) and theatrically with The Don Juans/Donsajni (2013). Barnev returned in Nosht i den (2006); Kaiser in 3 TV credits prior to his theatrical return in Líbás jako buh (2009). I Served the King of England is certified fresh at 80 % with a 7.20/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

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