The Damned House of Hajn

Svoboda's formal mannerism is obvious, yet his take on retro is fantastic. His sensitive approach to Havlíček is great. The expressive acting is excellent. However, they should have filmed more with Horváth. The psychological novel from 1937 is considered a classic today, and apart from television, film, and radio, it has also been dramatized in the Prague City theaters. Each of the perspectives is worthy of attention. (05/12/2011)

Well, it was a total madhouse of a movie. Thumbs up for the camera work and the overall visuals, although on the other hand, it is clear that the movie is based on the novel and actors so theatrically recite the script, and so little of what they do and say seems truly believable. In terms of the history of Czech cinema, this movie is more of a curiosity than a functioning work of art. (05/07/2022)

I was genuinely surprised by how dense and unsettling the atmosphere was. A significant part of this is due to the well-chosen music and the brilliant camerawork by Vladimír Smutný. And of course, I can't overlook Petra Vančíková's stellar performance, capturing Soňa's descent into madness with exceptional skill. For a Czech film, this is definitely a standout achievement. While the film impressed me more with its style than its story – which felt quite uneven – it's still a noteworthy experience overall. (05/07/2018)