Páter Vojtech: A heavy 1920s drama about guilt and quarry explosions

Is it worth the watch?

Honestly, if you like those old stories where everyone is miserable because of a promise they made, you will probably dig this. If you want action or anything fast, maybe stay away. It is mostly for people who like to see how movies used to handle big, messy family drama. 🎥

The whole thing starts with a deathbed promise. Vojtech’s mom is on her way out and she wants him to be a priest. It is such a heavy burden to put on a kid. Especially when he’s got a girl like Frantina waiting for him.

Frantina leaves for Prague. That is usually a bad sign in these old movies. Prague is where the 'temptations' are, I guess. You can feel the sadness when they say goodbye. It is not overly flashy, just quietly depressing.

Then we have the brother, Karel. He is... a lot. He attacks this poor guy Josífek at a dedication ceremony. It is a bit of a shock because the movie is pretty quiet until then. Karel just loses it and then runs away. He is the classic 'black sheep' of the family.

The scene in the quarry is actually the highlight for me. There is a literal explosion, and a vagrant dies. It’s a bit convenient that Karel just happens to be there to swap papers with the dead guy. Now Karel is 'dead' and can start a new life. It is very pulp fiction for 1928.

The acting by Karel Fiala is okay. He looks the part of a man struggling with his collar. Jaroslav Marvan is in this too! He is always great to see, even in these early roles. You can see the talent even through the grain of the film.

The movie feels a bit like The Land of Long Shadows in how it deals with people hiding from their past. I liked the shots of the mill. You can almost smell the flour and the old wood. It feels dusty and trapped in time.

There is this one shot of the dying mother that goes on a bit long. You can tell they really wanted you to feel the guilt Vojtech is carrying. It’s effective, but man, it’s heavy. One reaction shot linger so long it becomes a bit much.

It is a bit slow in the middle. I found myself checking the time during some of the longer stares. But when the drama kicks in, it really kicks in. The way Vojtech handles the priesthood while clearly still missing his old life is well done.

It is not as flashy as something like Black Butterflies, but it has its own quiet power. The film doesn't try to be something it isn't. It's just a sad story about a family falling apart.

I think the ending comes a bit too fast. I wanted more closure with Frantina. She kind of just disappears into the background of the plot. Still, for a movie from this era, it holds up better than some 'classics' I have seen.

The quarry explosion looks surprisingly good for the time. You can see the dust and the rocks flying. It felt dangerous to film. I wonder if the actors were actually scared.

Karel's transformation from a regular guy to a fugitive is handled well. He looks more tired as the movie goes on. The guilt of what he did to Josífek seems to follow him.

If you're into Martin Frič’s work, this is a cool early look at his style. You can see him playing with how to tell a story without needing a lot of dialogue. It’s a weird little window into a world that doesn't exist anymore. 🚂

I forgot some of the names halfway through, but the faces stick with you. The 'weak Josífek' character is particularly pitiable. You just want to give the guy a break. But the movie doesn't give many breaks.

In the end, it’s a solid bit of 1920s storytelling. Not a masterpiece, but it doesn't need to be. It just needs to be human, and it definitely is that.