The Three Veterans (1984)

A charming Czech fairy-tale comedy about three discharged soldiers whose magical gifts from elvish brothers lead them into a delightful fantasy adventure.

The Three Veterans - Movie Information

  • Original Title: Tři veteráni
  • Release Year: 1984
  • Directed by: Oldřich Lipský
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Family, Fantasy, Comedy
  • Runtime: 1h 33m
  • Original Language: Czech
  • Spoken Languages: Czech, German
  • Release Date (Theatrical): July 1, 1984 (XC)
  • Alternative Titles: Tři veteráni (CZ), Three Veterans (UK), Traja veteráni (SK), Die Prinzessin mit der langen Nase (DE)
  • Production Companies: Filmové studio Barrandov
  • Production Countries: Czechoslovakia

The Three Veterans - Plot

It is a story of three veterans released from the army. During one night spent camping in the country they one by one wake up and meet three elvish brothers. Each of the veterans is given a magic item - one gets magic harp that provides him with servants by wish, other one endless pouch of gold and the last one owns magic hat that can create all the staff excluding money and people.

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The Three Veterans - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Oldřich Lipský

Main Cast

  • Rudolf Hrušínský
  • Petr Čepek
  • Josef Somr
  • Vida Neuwirthová
  • Július Satinský
  • Zdeněk Svěrák
  • Miloš Kopecký
  • Lubomír Lipský
  • Jiří Kaftan
  • Milan Lasica

Writers

  • Jiří Brdečka
  • Zdeněk Svěrák

The Three Veterans - FAQs

What is The Three Veterans about?

The Three Veterans follows three soldiers freshly discharged from the army who camp outdoors one night and each encounter a magical elvish brother. Every veteran receives an enchanted gift — a wish-granting harp, an endless pouch of gold, or a hat that conjures anything except money and people — leading to a whimsical fairy-tale adventure.

What magical gifts do the three veterans receive?

Each veteran gets a unique enchanted item from an elvish brother. Pankrác receives a magic harp that summons servants on command, Bimbác gets a pouch that never runs out of gold, and Servác owns a hat capable of conjuring virtually anything — except money and people.

Where can you watch The Three Veterans?

You can find streaming and viewing options for The Three Veterans on JustWatch, which lists all available platforms in your region. Availability may vary depending on your country, so checking JustWatch is the easiest way to see where it's currently showing.

Who directed The Three Veterans?

The Three Veterans was directed by Oldřich Lipský, one of Czechoslovakia's most celebrated filmmakers known for blending comedy, fantasy, and fairy-tale storytelling. Lipský brought a distinctive warmth and wit to the film, making it a cherished classic of Czech family cinema.

Who are the main actors in The Three Veterans?

The film boasts a remarkable ensemble of Czech and Slovak talent. Rudolf Hrušínský, Petr Čepek, and Josef Somr play the three veterans, with Zdeněk Svěrák, Miloš Kopecký, Lubomír Lipský, Jiří Kaftan, Július Satinský, Vida Neuwirthová, and Milan Lasica rounding out the cast.

Is The Three Veterans based on a book or fairy tale?

Yes, The Three Veterans draws from traditional fairy-tale material rooted in Czech folk storytelling. The screenplay was crafted by Jiří Brdečka and Zdeněk Svěrák, who adapted the classic tale of soldiers rewarded with magical objects into a lively, humorous adventure for the whole family.

What are some movies similar to The Three Veterans?

If you enjoy The Three Veterans, you might also love Enchanted (2007), Ella Enchanted (2004), Godmothered (2020), or Slumberland (2022) for their blend of fantasy and comedy. Classic European fairy-tale films like Sleeping Beauty (1983) and Mother Holly (1954) offer a similarly charming, old-world magic.

When was The Three Veterans released?

The Three Veterans premiered on July 1, 1984, in Czechoslovakia. It was produced by the legendary Filmové studio Barrandov, the historic Prague studio that served as the creative heart of Czech and Slovak cinema throughout the communist era and beyond.

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