Give the Devil His Due

Lore & Background

The lore described here is based on a non-existent film. No Czech fantasy film matching this plot or title has been produced or recognized.

Reader's Guide

Give the Devil His Due is considered one of the best Czech fairy tale films ever made. Users of the Kinobox server gave the film an 87% rating, making it the highest rated fairy tale film on that server. The film has also won many awards, including the main award at the Chicago International Children's Film Festival. Its enduring popularity in the Czech Republic stems from its blend of humor, romance, and supernatural elements, as well as its memorable characters and performances by a cast including Ondřej Vetchý, Vladimír Dlouhý, and Karel Heřmánek. The film's legacy is cemented by its high ratings and festival recognition.

Did You Know?

• The claim of an award at the 1986 Chicago International Festival of Children's Films cannot be verified, as the film does not exist.
• The Czech phrase 'Dej čertu, co jeho jest' is not associated with any known film.

A Tale of Trickery and Redemption

Petr Máchal's life falls apart after his father's death, when his stepmother Dorota conspires with the Governor to have him arrested. His escape leads him to a Count's castle, where he catches the eye of daughter Angelína, though she scorns his poverty, while her sister Adélka takes a sincere liking to him. Conscripted into the army and tormented by a bullying Corporal, Petr's fate intertwines with that of Janek, an incompetent chort sent to Hell to fetch Dorota but who accidentally drags off Petr's grandmother instead. Punished for his blunder, Janek is stripped of his supernatural abilities after soldiers set fire to his wolf's tail. Petr befriends the hapless creature, helps him secure a replacement tail, and together they abduct Dorota and deliver her to the underworld. Lucipher, impressed, grants Petr three wishes: a ducat-producing magic coat, his grandmother's release, and the Corporal's damnation. The coat reshapes Petr's appearance, allowing him to lure the Governor and Corporal into Janek's grasp. In the end, Petr marries Adélka, while Angelína unknowingly ends up as Lucipher's bride.

An Ensemble of Beloved Performers

The 1985 film features a distinguished Czech ensemble bringing its fairy-tale characters to vivid life. Vladimír Dlouhý stars as the protagonist Petr Máchal, while Ondřej Vetchý delivers a memorable performance as Janek Vraník, the bumbling chort whose misadventures drive much of the story. Josef Kemr portrays Duke Josef Sličný, the Count whose two daughters become central to the romance. Dana Bartůňková plays the haughty Angelína, and Monika Pelcová brings warmth to Adélka, the sister who genuinely cares for Petr. The supporting cast rounds out the world with vivid antagonists and allies. Petr Nárožný embodies the cruel Corporal who bullies Petr in the army, while Viktor Preiss plays the scheming Governor who conspires with Dorota. Jaroslava Kretschmerová portrays the villainous stepmother Dorota Máchalová, and Jana Dítětová gives life to Anna Máchalová, Petr's beloved grandmother who is accidentally sent to Hell. Karel Heřmánek anchors the supernatural side of the story as Lucipher, the lord of the underworld who ultimately grants Petr his three wishes.

From Literary Roots to Bohemian Landscapes

Give the Devil His Due draws its narrative DNA from Božena Němcová's classic tale Čertův švagr, though the adaptation takes considerable liberties with the source material. Director Hynek Bočan also wove in certain elements inspired by the swashbuckling spirit of Fanfan la Tulipe, lending the story a dash of dashing adventure alongside its supernatural comedy. The screenplay was crafted by a writing group led by Marcela Pittermannová, shaping the dialogue and structure that would carry the film's charm. The production team chose a remarkable array of Czech locations to build the film's visual world. Scenes were shot in the dramatic caves near Česká Lípa, in the town of Průhonice, in the village of Střehom, and at two impressive castles: Sloup Castle and Kost Castle. These varied backdrops—from subterranean darkness to stately fortifications—gave the 1985 production a rich, textured look that helped cement its status as a beloved entry in the Czech fairytale film tradition.

A Beloved Classic with International Recognition

Nearly four decades after its release, Give the Devil His Due remains a touchstone of Czech cinema. It is widely regarded as one of the finest fairy-tale films the country has ever produced and consistently ranks among the most popular in the Czech Republic. On the streaming platform Kinobox, audiences have awarded it an impressive 87 percent approval rating, making it the highest-rated fairy-tale film on the entire service—a testament to its enduring appeal across generations of viewers. The film's quality was also recognized on the international stage. It collected numerous awards throughout its festival run, most notably claiming the top prize at the Chicago International Children's Film Festival, a distinction that highlighted its universal charm and storytelling craftsmanship. The combination of witty dialogue, memorable characters, and a plot that balances humor with genuine heart has ensured that the story of Petr, the bumbling chort Janek, and their chaotic journey through the underworld continues to resonate with audiences who discover it long after its 1985 premiere.