A Jester's Tale

A Jester's Tale is a 1964 Czech film directed by Karel Zeman. Described by Zeman as a "pseudo-historical" film, it is an anti-war black comedy set during the Thirty Years' War. The film combines live action with animation to suggest the artistic style of the engraver Matthäus Merian.

Plot

Cast

Petr Kostka as Petr
Miloslav Holub as Recruiting officer Matyáš of Babice
Emília Vášáryová as Lenka
Valentina Thielová as Countess Veronika
Karel Effa as Hetman Varga of Koňousov
Eva Šenková as Countess
Eduard Kohout as Count
Vladimír Menšík as Court painter
Čestmír Řanda as Watchman
Jiří Holý as Spanish officer
Josef Haukvic as Musketeer
František Kovářík as Jester
Reception

The film was a notable success at the 1964 San Francisco International Film Festival, winning Best Picture and Best Director. It was also voted Best Film at the 1964 Addis Ababa IFF in Ethiopia, and was honored in three categories at Cannes.