Hejkal (1978)
A charming Czechoslovak fairy tale about a forest spirit who longs to cross into the human world, rooted in rich Czech folklore and tradition.
Hejkal - Movie Information
Hejkal - Plot
Fairy tales are full of fairies who would like to become humans. There probably won't be that many Hejkals who want to turn into humans. We only know of one from "The Doctor's Fairy Tale" who was pushed into the human world by the writer Karel Čapek. That Hejkal then found great success as a singer at the Vienna Opera. However, we recently learned that a Hejkal in South Bohemia is drawn to humans and wants to give up his Hejkal craft. Let's go see him.
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Hejkal - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Pavel Kraus
Main Cast
- Zdeněk Řehoř
- Dagmar Havlová Veškrnová
- Iva Janžurová
- Bohuslav Čáp
- Lubomír Lipský
- Svatopluk Beneš
- Hana Houbová
- Oldřich Velen
- Ivo Livonec
- Viktor Maurer
Writers
- Zdeněk Zábranský
Hejkal - FAQs
What is Hejkal (1978) about?
Hejkal is a Czech fairy tale about a forest spirit from South Bohemia who feels an unusual longing for the human world and considers abandoning his supernatural craft. The story draws on Czechoslovak folklore and references Karel Čapek's literary tradition, blending whimsy with gentle philosophical reflection.
Who directed the 1978 Czech film Hejkal?
Hejkal was directed by Pavel Kraus. The film was produced by Československá televize Praha and written by Zdeněk Zábranský, with cinematography by Věra Štinglová and music composed by Jiří Václav.
Who are the main actors in Hejkal?
The cast of Hejkal includes Zdeněk Řehoř, Dagmar Havlová Veškrnová, Iva Janžurová, Bohuslav Čáp, Lubomír Lipský, Svatopluk Beneš, Hana Houbová, Oldřich Velen, Ivo Livonec, and Viktor Maurer. František Filipovský provides the narrator's voice in an uncredited role.
Is Hejkal based on a true story or book?
Hejkal is not based on a true story. It draws on Czech folklore surrounding the Hejkal, a forest spirit from Bohemian mythology, and references Karel Čapek's literary fairy tale tradition. The screenplay was written by Zdeněk Zábranský specifically for this Czechoslovak television production.
Where can I watch Hejkal online?
Streaming availability for Hejkal varies by region. As a 1978 Czechoslovak TV movie, it has limited international distribution. You can check current streaming and viewing options available in your region via JustWatch, which aggregates platform availability across multiple services.
What genre is the 1978 film Hejkal?
Hejkal is a Fantasy, Family TV Movie. It belongs to the beloved tradition of Czechoslovak fairy tale films, a genre that flourished in the 1970s and 1980s and remains cherished across Central Europe for its imaginative storytelling and folkloric charm.
What language is Hejkal in?
Hejkal is in Czech. It was produced in Czechoslovakia by Československá televize Praha and is spoken entirely in Czech, making it a culturally significant piece of Czechoslovak television heritage aimed at family and younger audiences.
What are movies similar to Hejkal?
If you enjoy Hejkal, similar films include Three Wishes for Cinderella (1973), The False Prince (1985), Vašíček a lesní muži (1981), Vánoční království (2015), Zlodarov les (1989), and Garib in the Land of Jinn (1977) — all fairy tale or fantasy films in a comparable folkloric tradition.
More About Hejkal
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