Arabela

1980

Seasons & Episodes

  • 1

8.4| 0h30m| en
Synopsis

Arabela was a children's television series produced in Czechoslovakia which aired from 1979 to 1981. The series has 13 episodes and is in the Czech language.

Cast

Director

Producted By

Filmové studio Barrandov

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Trailers & Clips

Reviews

Solidrariol Am I Missing Something?
Sarita Rafferty There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.
Phillida Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.
Dana An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.
Stefano Detoni I think this is one of the best TV series ever. Unfortunately - as far as I know - it was seen only in its country (Czecoslovakia) and Germany. It was also dubbed in German, thank God, a language I know. Anyway, it is very entertaining both for adults and children, where none of the two has less fun than the other. In its plot the real world and the fairy tales world meet, and produce a third world which is full of incredible and unforeseeable situations. Fantasy and humor play the main role, and we are constantly surprised and amused by always new events and inventions. The director Vaclav Vorlicek gives a further proof of his talent with fairy tales full of humor and original ideas. What maybe is most entertaining are the many spells and transformations of people, animals and objects. Special effects are simple and yet surprising, and made me regret the time when digital techniques where not in use: one had to think out something really interesting and find out good ideas. I would also like to lay stress on the fact that, although the film was shot in the communist period in CZ, there is no trace of political propaganda, which would have spoiled the whole fun. Somebody wrote that one of the reasons why the Czechs were so good in the fairy tales genre, was just the fact that it was a way of escaping from a depressing political situation. Neither are there negative messages which could harm the innocence of children, because characters and situations have the good and the evil in the right place, with no confusion between the two. On top of this, male spectators could fall in love with the fairy bride, the very pretty Jana Nagyová. Take the opportunity of buying the DVD, and enjoy the thirteen episodes of this marvelous TV series, you and your children. It is almost impossible to be disappointed.
kertschy This is such a warm, wonderful and lovely series. The screenplay, actors and the location are just perfect. This serial connects the "real world" with the world of the well-known fairy tales. A land ruled by a fairy king who rules over Little Red Riding Head, Cinderella, the Sleeping Beauty and many more. The king who has two daughters, vain Xenia and sweet Arabela. Everything is perfect until one day an actor (Mr. Mejer) is asked to read fairy tales on TV. He finds a secret bell and by ringing it, he orders Rumburak, a 2nd grade sorcerer. At first Mr Mejer refuses any wish - in the end he wants to learn how to shoot, as he always makes an idiot of himself at the fairgrounds. So Rumburak takes him to the fairy world (with the help of a big coat) and there, the unfortunate Mr Mejer accidentally shoots the Little Red Riding Head's talking wolf. Of course the king is very enraged about this, as it disturbs the fairy tales. From then on, everything starts. Different persons are beamed into the "other world" by the help of a magic ring. So when some of the fairy characters end up in the real world, they have a real Crocodile Dundee feeling. Marvelling at watches, collecting plastic bags, etc. A wonderful series.
c_tudoran I think it is a must for any child! I remember it very well, as I was a young man at the time it aired in my country, Romania (I was in my twenties then). Therefore, I was truly able to appreciate the actors' play, the great director, the witty and imaginative writer and the incredibly astute special effects it displayed. I would be extremely happy to have my grandchildren see it on DVD! Am STILL waiting for it! As in Romania foreign films have always aired and were always showed in theaters or TV with subtitles (never dubbed!), I was also able to learn some Czech words watching it! Great movie, great actors! A special mention for the late Mr. Vladimir Mensik, whom I also remember from numerous other Czech children and mainstream movies.
Pegg I am from Czech Republic and this is the fairy-tale of my childhood. Magic rings, coats and all kingdom of fairy-tales were the best for me for a long time. The biggest enemy was Rumburak by Jiri Labus and my the most liked person was not Arabela but it was Xenie by Dada Patrasova. Only good king by Vlastmil Brodsky (that is a pity he died)and his land full of fairy-tales could make a magic afternoon for me. It is wonderful tale with classical magic persons like Snow White, "Popelka", Princes and Princesses. I spend many nice moments watching this and imagining that I am Arabela with the nice pink glass ring on my finger. I remember it very often. The true is that I just love The lord of the rings and I probably won´t watch this serial anymore, but I am sure I loved it, when I was a child. And that is important.