1
00:00:19,759 --> 00:00:22,259
Czechoslovakian Film
presents

2
00:00:22,560 --> 00:00:25,560
a film by the
Studio of Animation and Puppet Film

3
00:00:26,461 --> 00:00:29,461
Marionettes Film
Prague

4
00:00:41,607 --> 00:00:43,709
Then, as today...

5
00:00:45,377 --> 00:00:48,080
...the stars were shining in the sky.

6
00:00:48,347 --> 00:00:50,182
It was the year 1594...

7
00:00:50,415 --> 00:00:53,318
...and the poet
William Shakespeare...

8
00:00:53,318 --> 00:00:55,620
...was writing his play...

9
00:00:56,121 --> 00:00:58,757
...of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

10
00:01:02,127 --> 00:01:04,763
Like today, the stars were golden...

11
00:01:06,297 --> 00:01:08,633
...like burning lovers' passion,...

12
00:01:10,501 --> 00:01:12,537
...and in the depth of the sky...

13
00:01:13,905 --> 00:01:17,575
...the night was full of 
magic and spells.

14
00:01:20,378 --> 00:01:22,980
And then, as today,...

15
00:01:24,115 --> 00:01:26,350
...love had to fight,

16
00:01:26,984 --> 00:01:29,853
...if it were to be called true love.

17
00:01:48,872 --> 00:01:50,506
The beautiful Hermia...

18
00:01:51,641 --> 00:01:55,878
...is betrothed to 
the soldier Demetrius.

19
00:02:04,481 --> 00:02:06,755
But she preferred music,...

20
00:02:10,110 --> 00:02:12,861
...so her heart was with Lysander,...

21
00:02:13,528 --> 00:02:15,697
...the kind flute player.

22
00:03:25,072 --> 00:03:28,575
The fair Helena loves Demetrius.

23
00:03:29,886 --> 00:03:31,688
But he rejects her.

24
00:03:32,579 --> 00:03:34,915
He pays no attention to her.

25
00:03:36,839 --> 00:03:38,807
He woos Hermia.

26
00:03:41,220 --> 00:03:43,456
He courts her with flowers,...

27
00:03:44,091 --> 00:03:45,492
...but to no avail.

28
00:04:01,768 --> 00:04:04,371
Egeus, Hermia's father,...

29
00:04:05,610 --> 00:04:09,214
...would, naturally, prefer 
her to marry the soldier.

30
00:04:10,564 --> 00:04:12,199
Of course.

31
00:04:12,515 --> 00:04:15,618
He wants the best for
his dear daughter.

32
00:04:16,462 --> 00:04:19,064
And what's the 
frolicksome Lysander...

33
00:04:19,226 --> 00:04:21,512
...compared with the 
serious Demetrius?

34
00:04:36,637 --> 00:04:41,529
And if his daughter and Lysander
won't listen to him ...

35
00:04:42,126 --> 00:04:44,148
...he'll take the case 
before the law.

36
00:04:44,569 --> 00:04:46,285
To trial,...

37
00:04:46,290 --> 00:04:49,689
...before the powerful ruler
Theseus.

38
00:04:59,523 --> 00:05:02,862
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

39
00:05:02,863 --> 00:05:05,563
based on the famous work by
William Shakespeare, poet and actor

40
00:05:36,027 --> 00:05:37,428
Duke Theseus...

41
00:05:38,397 --> 00:05:41,133
...is a handsome young man
and is very famous.

42
00:05:47,524 --> 00:05:49,826
Indeed, tomorrow he celebrates 
his marriage...

43
00:05:50,041 --> 00:05:52,577
...to the queen
of the Amazons.

44
00:06:07,775 --> 00:06:11,312
She is a harsh and 
uncompromising woman.

45
00:06:16,967 --> 00:06:19,603
Therefore, the sentence 
is immutable.

46
00:06:27,489 --> 00:06:31,426
Hermia's father's promise 
to Demetrius...

47
00:06:31,718 --> 00:06:33,153
...is sacred.

48
00:06:35,506 --> 00:06:36,873
Sacred and unbreakable.

49
00:07:26,799 --> 00:07:28,734
And we demand...

50
00:07:29,023 --> 00:07:31,525
...that there are no 
more issues...

51
00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:34,477
...before the Duke's wedding,...

52
00:07:35,255 --> 00:07:39,159
...whose actions are distinctive, 
sometimes bold,...

53
00:07:40,018 --> 00:07:42,954
...exciting and 
interesting,...

54
00:07:44,106 --> 00:07:46,242
...but always...

55
00:07:46,489 --> 00:07:49,689
...within the laws
of the immortal gods.

56
00:08:00,044 --> 00:08:01,812
The official love...

57
00:08:01,812 --> 00:08:04,949
...sealed with a ring,...

58
00:08:04,949 --> 00:08:07,751
...will culminate with the 
nuptual celebrations.

59
00:08:09,910 --> 00:08:12,779
Athens prepares 
for the celebration.

60
00:08:25,532 --> 00:08:28,101
But they who have 
disobeyed the law,...

61
00:08:28,902 --> 00:08:30,870
...flee 
to the woods,...

62
00:08:32,105 --> 00:08:34,774
...where they will suffer 
great misfortune.

63
00:08:38,958 --> 00:08:40,760
Poor Helena.

64
00:08:53,698 --> 00:08:56,500
She's madly in love.

65
00:08:57,441 --> 00:08:59,109
She even stoops...

66
00:08:59,977 --> 00:09:04,314
...to help Demetrius 
to look for his rival,...

67
00:09:05,148 --> 00:09:06,416
...so all-consuming 
is her obsession.

68
00:09:31,037 --> 00:09:33,173
And those overwhelming 
passions...

69
00:09:33,173 --> 00:09:36,476
...lead the lost 
to the harsh shadows,...

70
00:09:37,510 --> 00:09:40,013
...outside 
beautiful Athens,...

71
00:09:40,547 --> 00:09:45,151
...which was busying away 
preparing for Theseus' wedding...

72
00:09:45,651 --> 00:09:47,220
...with the queen.

73
00:10:18,972 --> 00:10:20,306
At this wedding...

74
00:10:20,740 --> 00:10:24,510
...some amateur actors offer 
the flower of their art.

75
00:10:24,510 --> 00:10:25,912
A very modest flower,...

76
00:10:27,780 --> 00:10:29,949
...but overwhelming 
for them, nonetheless.

77
00:10:47,250 --> 00:10:48,351
Let's not be nervous.

78
00:10:49,118 --> 00:10:50,286
We'll go in order.

79
00:10:51,588 --> 00:10:54,924
Take the script, 
and learn your lines.

80
00:11:34,158 --> 00:11:36,727
The hero has great 
responsibility.

81
00:11:37,895 --> 00:11:39,396
Before committing suicide...

82
00:11:40,230 --> 00:11:43,467
...he has to leave 
the audience breathless...

83
00:11:44,201 --> 00:11:45,836
...with his good looks.

84
00:12:33,440 --> 00:12:37,044
He's very talented,
no-one can deny it.

85
00:12:47,016 --> 00:12:49,618
A young man taking the 
part of Thisbe...

86
00:12:49,985 --> 00:12:52,287
...is somewhat unusual.

87
00:12:55,295 --> 00:12:57,764
He takes time to understand, 
but he does it in depth.

88
00:13:26,328 --> 00:13:30,299
The others give their all, 
even those without speaking parts .

89
00:14:03,516 --> 00:14:06,953
The show-off Pyramus would like 
to play all the parts.

90
00:14:07,320 --> 00:14:08,787
Including the lion.

91
00:14:09,188 --> 00:14:12,672
But the other actors also 
have to learn their roles.

92
00:14:15,207 --> 00:14:18,944
This tells the old legend 
of the lovers...

93
00:14:19,145 --> 00:14:21,714
...whose love 
everyone opposed.

94
00:14:23,590 --> 00:14:26,293
In the end, they could only
unite in death.

95
00:14:48,975 --> 00:14:51,778
If we could have
a little quiet...

96
00:14:51,778 --> 00:14:53,346
...to rehearse in peace!

97
00:15:13,797 --> 00:15:14,698
Don't they realise?

98
00:15:15,021 --> 00:15:19,325
These professional actors 
make a tremendous racket!

99
00:15:47,935 --> 00:15:50,171
Hunger drives the wolves 
from the forest...

100
00:15:51,305 --> 00:15:55,042
...and the professionals 
drove the amateurs...

101
00:15:55,776 --> 00:15:57,811
...into the woods.

102
00:16:03,033 --> 00:16:05,569
The forest,
the kingdom of Oberon,...

103
00:16:06,136 --> 00:16:08,772
...where everything 
is topsy-turvy.

104
00:16:10,323 --> 00:16:11,858
The home of the fairies.

105
00:16:26,618 --> 00:16:28,753
There's the 
mischevious Puck.

106
00:16:29,587 --> 00:16:31,256
A joker, witty,...

107
00:16:31,690 --> 00:16:33,558
...nosey, restless...

108
00:16:34,859 --> 00:16:36,461
In short, a rascal.

109
00:16:46,574 --> 00:16:49,944
The Fairy Queen,
the beautiful Titania.

110
00:16:50,845 --> 00:16:53,280
She reigns over the fairies 
through love.

111
00:16:53,414 --> 00:16:56,817
And she has the entire forest 
at her feet.

112
00:18:27,700 --> 00:18:30,503
When Titania dances,
they fall under a spell...

113
00:18:30,636 --> 00:18:34,873
...not only the acorns 
and the mandrakes,...

114
00:18:34,973 --> 00:18:37,542
...the trees,
the fairies and the flowers,...

115
00:18:38,777 --> 00:18:41,980
...but even 
Oberon himself.

116
00:18:44,303 --> 00:18:46,672
And he courts her strongly.

117
00:19:03,143 --> 00:19:05,745
But Titania is not 
frivolous...

118
00:19:06,679 --> 00:19:09,849
...and Oberon must 
earn her heart.

119
00:19:32,532 --> 00:19:34,600
But everything has its limits.

120
00:19:35,968 --> 00:19:38,137
You shouldn't offend 
Oberon.

121
00:19:42,208 --> 00:19:44,677
And he was angry,...

122
00:19:45,244 --> 00:19:48,047
...and his heart swelled
with vengefulness.

123
00:19:49,856 --> 00:19:51,658
And as he got angry,...

124
00:19:53,326 --> 00:19:56,729
...the forest 
shook with fear.

125
00:20:26,311 --> 00:20:27,612
Look.

126
00:20:28,172 --> 00:20:29,740
In the distance 
there's an island,...

127
00:20:30,074 --> 00:20:32,075
...and on this island 
there's a flower.

128
00:20:32,814 --> 00:20:35,750
If you just 
smell it once...

129
00:20:36,885 --> 00:20:39,821
...you'll fall in love 
with the first creature you see.

130
00:20:41,289 --> 00:20:44,225
And not even the devil 
could fight that magic.

131
00:23:42,332 --> 00:23:45,368
But fate wasn't going 
to let Oberon...

132
00:23:45,368 --> 00:23:47,537
...carry out his plan in peace.

133
00:23:48,171 --> 00:23:52,341
Suddenly, the quiet forest 
became as noisy...

134
00:23:52,341 --> 00:23:54,243
...as a market.

135
00:23:58,480 --> 00:23:59,748
First visit:

136
00:24:00,950 --> 00:24:02,651
The amateurs.

137
00:24:03,582 --> 00:24:05,084
They are scared.

138
00:24:05,718 --> 00:24:09,555
But the love of drama 
manages to instill courage.

139
00:24:31,142 --> 00:24:32,143
Second visit:

140
00:24:33,808 --> 00:24:36,844
Lysander and Hermia, 
holding hands.

141
00:24:40,765 --> 00:24:42,933
Love on the run.

142
00:24:47,142 --> 00:24:50,512
They take refuge in a miserable 
forest cave.

143
00:25:22,455 --> 00:25:24,057
Third visit:

144
00:25:25,759 --> 00:25:27,594
The soldier Demetrius.

145
00:25:28,335 --> 00:25:31,971
He's looking for a fight 
with Hermia and Lysander.

146
00:25:32,612 --> 00:25:35,015
Sword in hand, 
with a heavy heart.

147
00:25:37,428 --> 00:25:38,729
And after him, Helena,...

148
00:25:40,031 --> 00:25:41,632
...Demetrius' shadow.

149
00:25:42,766 --> 00:25:44,401
A very heavy shadow,...

150
00:25:44,401 --> 00:25:46,637
...but one full of love.

151
00:25:48,038 --> 00:25:49,673
Pity the poor soul!

152
00:25:57,847 --> 00:26:00,417
Oberon, 
the lord of the forest,...

153
00:26:01,151 --> 00:26:03,420
...doesn't like unhappy
love affairs,...

154
00:26:04,688 --> 00:26:07,590
...for he himself burns 
with unrequited love.

155
00:26:17,436 --> 00:26:18,770
Listen, Puck!

156
00:26:20,172 --> 00:26:22,674
You have to make that 
soldier see sense.

157
00:26:24,542 --> 00:26:26,211
Make him smell the flower...

158
00:26:26,845 --> 00:26:29,581
...so that he falls in love 
with the fair Helena...

159
00:26:29,814 --> 00:26:32,050
...as much as she loves him.

160
00:26:46,731 --> 00:26:48,232
It's easy to say that.

161
00:26:48,365 --> 00:26:51,001
But how do you know,
when it's pitch black,...

162
00:26:51,135 --> 00:26:54,238
...who is the soldier 
who is the musician?

163
00:26:54,938 --> 00:26:57,374
At night, all cats are grey.

164
00:26:57,875 --> 00:27:01,445
And at night, is a flaw 
really a flaw?

165
00:27:06,917 --> 00:27:08,452
And so, Lysander,...

166
00:27:08,452 --> 00:27:10,320
...bewitched by the flower,...

167
00:27:10,453 --> 00:27:13,923
...opens his eyes 
and sees Helena.

168
00:27:14,958 --> 00:27:16,359
So long, Hermia!

169
00:27:16,493 --> 00:27:19,262
And he falls madly 
in love with Helena.

170
00:27:46,535 --> 00:27:49,805
Meanwhile, Oberon
waits patiently...

171
00:27:49,938 --> 00:27:52,240
...for Titania to sleep.

172
00:31:44,219 --> 00:31:45,686
Who's here now?

173
00:31:46,755 --> 00:31:48,923
Blast! The amateurs!

174
00:31:49,624 --> 00:31:52,227
Puck, shoo them away!

175
00:32:00,051 --> 00:32:02,219
Whoever's playing Pyramus...

176
00:32:02,453 --> 00:32:04,688
...give them what 
they deserve.

177
00:32:05,389 --> 00:32:07,491
He's a real ass!

178
00:32:34,254 --> 00:32:35,489
Pyramus!

179
00:32:39,993 --> 00:32:41,427
Pyramus!

180
00:33:18,797 --> 00:33:20,298
Pyramus!

181
00:33:28,135 --> 00:33:29,335
Thisbe!

182
00:33:41,962 --> 00:33:43,162
Thisbe!

183
00:34:07,994 --> 00:34:09,194
Thisbe!

184
00:36:20,521 --> 00:36:24,391
And when the Fairies 
fell asleep,...

185
00:36:25,892 --> 00:36:27,427
...What if Titania...

186
00:36:27,561 --> 00:36:30,897
...sees that donkey 
as soon as she wakes up?

187
00:37:20,240 --> 00:37:23,176
Oberon smiled,
hidden in the shadows...

188
00:37:25,044 --> 00:37:27,680
...whilst the fairies 
cried inconsolably.

189
00:39:20,670 --> 00:39:24,540
The terrible awakening 
of the beautiful Hermia.

190
00:39:38,477 --> 00:39:42,702
Unfortunately the traitor Lysander 
is kissing Helena.

191
00:39:45,022 --> 00:39:47,977
Now Demetrius will 
be furious.

192
00:40:19,257 --> 00:40:20,759
What have you done?

193
00:40:21,460 --> 00:40:24,295
You've given the potion 
to somebody else

194
00:40:25,117 --> 00:40:28,499
What was a comedy 
has become a farce.

195
00:41:17,758 --> 00:41:20,661
A moment ago, it was 
Hermia who had...

196
00:41:20,700 --> 00:41:23,163
... two men crazy 
about her.

197
00:41:23,931 --> 00:41:26,333
Now they've both 
fallen for Helena...

198
00:41:27,367 --> 00:41:30,337
...and Hermia's the 
indignant one.

199
00:41:46,456 --> 00:41:49,225
Before the cock crows
in the city tomorrow,...

200
00:41:50,026 --> 00:41:51,995
...they'll be mad 
with jealousy.

201
00:41:52,662 --> 00:41:55,431
Taken to the brink...

202
00:41:55,932 --> 00:41:59,268
...by madness, loss, 
and doubt.

203
00:41:59,769 --> 00:42:02,238
So, tomorrow, it 
can be better assessed,...

204
00:42:03,105 --> 00:42:05,775
...this great 
reciprocated love,...

205
00:42:07,242 --> 00:42:09,279
...satisfied and happy.

206
00:42:11,320 --> 00:42:13,488
Endlessly turning.

207
00:42:18,693 --> 00:42:22,597
But this is starting 
to smell of tragedy.

208
00:42:45,677 --> 00:42:48,112
Let's turn tragedy 
into a game.

209
00:42:49,113 --> 00:42:51,449
It's not worth getting 
hurt because of a joke.

210
00:42:58,954 --> 00:43:02,291
Puck, fix what 
you've broken!

211
00:43:25,963 --> 00:43:27,498
There can still be...

212
00:43:27,832 --> 00:43:28,933
...some fights.

213
00:43:29,826 --> 00:43:32,094
But only in jest.

214
00:43:49,378 --> 00:43:52,581
To see how ridiculous
violence is.

215
00:48:15,696 --> 00:48:17,598
Poor Titania!

216
00:48:19,534 --> 00:48:21,235
She's suffered enough!

217
00:48:21,569 --> 00:48:26,307
And branded by her 
big-eared shame...

218
00:48:27,007 --> 00:48:29,076
...I shall love her 
even more.

219
00:52:31,934 --> 00:52:34,036
What a strange thing to see!

220
00:52:35,471 --> 00:52:36,972
For so long...

221
00:52:36,972 --> 00:52:40,909
...love is pursued,
till love, at the end...

222
00:52:40,909 --> 00:52:43,045
...recognises itself.

223
00:52:43,812 --> 00:52:45,380
Lysander with Hermia,...

224
00:52:46,482 --> 00:52:48,183
...Helena with Demetrius,...

225
00:52:49,585 --> 00:52:51,486
...sleeping like children.

226
00:53:08,960 --> 00:53:12,464
And so they are together,
under the laws of love.

227
00:53:13,899 --> 00:53:16,101
What about your law, old one?

228
00:53:16,234 --> 00:53:18,069
And the law of Athens?

229
00:53:37,621 --> 00:53:40,357
Hear ye, hear ye!
Sound the trumpets!

230
00:53:40,357 --> 00:53:42,926
Three times,
once for each wedding!

231
00:55:06,679 --> 00:55:08,414
Sound the trumpets.

232
00:55:09,015 --> 00:55:10,649
A dull moment.

233
00:55:11,383 --> 00:55:12,651
It usually happens.

234
00:55:13,686 --> 00:55:17,723
These official ceremonies 
bore even the stones.

235
00:56:43,717 --> 00:56:45,953
We offer you a play.

236
00:56:46,342 --> 00:56:49,478
It's magnificent, and
I wrote it myself.

237
00:56:50,846 --> 00:56:52,982
Behold the moon,
oh great Selene.

238
00:56:53,549 --> 00:56:55,751
Wall, 
obstacle to their love.

239
00:56:57,920 --> 00:57:00,189
Then, the lion who wanted 
to kill but could not.

240
00:57:00,189 --> 00:57:03,058
And finally Thisbe,
allegedly the meal,...

241
00:57:04,359 --> 00:57:05,860
and Pyramus.

242
00:57:29,055 --> 00:57:30,356
Thisbe!

243
00:58:00,944 --> 00:58:02,312
Thisbe!

244
00:59:32,274 --> 00:59:34,410
Damn Wall,...

245
00:59:34,910 --> 00:59:37,246
...barrier to our love!

246
00:59:40,649 --> 00:59:44,386
How about if we go
outside to the meadow?

247
00:59:45,020 --> 00:59:47,689
But beware the
ferocious lions!

248
01:00:45,990 --> 01:00:48,592
The bright moon 
saw everything,...

249
01:00:48,592 --> 01:00:51,161
and was so smug.

250
01:02:23,585 --> 01:02:25,754
This veil 
will fill with blood.

251
01:02:26,777 --> 01:02:29,113
but it won't be Thisbe's.

252
01:02:33,145 --> 01:02:35,848
Puck returns to the work,...

253
01:02:36,482 --> 01:02:38,517
...but, as you'll see,...

254
01:02:39,518 --> 01:02:43,589
...everyone's important, 
at least once.

255
01:02:44,571 --> 01:02:45,373
More than some might 
have predicted.

256
01:02:47,909 --> 01:02:51,612
Maybe it was a mistake, 
or maybe malice,...

257
01:02:51,679 --> 01:02:55,082
...but his heart will
ring like a bell...

258
01:02:56,517 --> 01:02:57,952
...and those who mock...

259
01:02:58,019 --> 01:02:59,854
...will stop laughing.

260
01:03:46,499 --> 01:03:48,167
Pyramus!

261
01:05:09,613 --> 01:05:11,081
Pyramus!

262
01:05:15,185 --> 01:05:16,686
Pyramus!

263
01:05:54,156 --> 01:05:56,658
Pyramus!

264
01:06:24,584 --> 01:06:28,621
Dreams seduce us
and deceive all.

265
01:06:30,156 --> 01:06:31,424
But no matter.

266
01:06:32,358 --> 01:06:35,094
What matters
is that they are beautiful.

267
01:09:38,835 --> 01:09:40,436
Listen, Puck.

268
01:09:41,137 --> 01:09:42,872
No more comedy.

269
01:09:44,974 --> 01:09:47,009
It has been a 
beautiful fire.

270
01:09:47,610 --> 01:09:49,979
But now we have to 
make sure it's out.

271
01:10:39,698 --> 01:10:41,266
All has ended.

272
01:10:42,701 --> 01:10:44,636
We have to clean up.

273
01:10:46,371 --> 01:10:48,173
Today as then,...

274
01:10:50,442 --> 01:10:52,377
...then as today.

275
01:11:26,711 --> 01:11:29,080
By God, anybody 
would think...

276
01:11:29,080 --> 01:11:32,150
...that what happened 
was all a dream!

277
01:11:38,689 --> 01:11:41,459
No-one would have thought
that he could crown himself...

278
01:11:41,692 --> 01:11:44,261
...With the coveted laurel 
of glory.

279
01:12:13,139 --> 01:12:15,675
People think 
that Puck is...

280
01:12:15,675 --> 01:12:18,178
...only fit for
magic tricks.

281
01:12:20,246 --> 01:12:22,615
We make magic,...

282
01:12:22,615 --> 01:12:25,251
...beautiful magic, when
dreaming.

283
01:12:26,319 --> 01:12:29,255
In dreams,
we provide for the fairies.

284
01:12:49,341 --> 01:12:53,178
Some of our dreams
guide us in life.

285
01:12:55,447 --> 01:12:59,518
Some of our dreams 
never die.

286
01:13:00,685 --> 01:13:04,723
Still less, the
dreams of Shakespeare.

287
01:13:50,002 --> 01:13:57,485
Direction, script and set design:
Jir� Trnka

288
01:13:59,610 --> 01:14:03,810
Music:
V�clav Trojan