Dark Blue World

2001 Drama

The friendship of two men is tested by war, political upheaval, and romantic rivalry in this drama from Czech filmmaker Jan Sverak, whose Kolya became an international success. Lt. Franta Slama (Ondrej Vetchy) is a top pilot in the Czech Air Force who is assigned to train a promising young flier, Karel Vojtisek (Krystof Hadek). Franta and Karel both share a great enthusiasm for the thrill of blazing across the sky, and they become fast friends; however, when Nazi Germany invades Czechoslovakia, Franta and Karel chafe under the authority of their new leaders, and they escape to England, where they join other Czech exiles in the R.A.F. While flying a mission over England, Karel crash lands and happens upon the farmhouse of Susan (Tara Fitzgerald), a young woman whose husband is in the Navy. Karel soon falls head over heels for Susan, but while they enjoy a brief fling, in time Susan decides she prefers the company of the older and more worldly Franta. As Franta and Karel struggle to maintain their friendship despite their romantic rivalry, the war finally comes to a close, and the Czechs return home. Trmavomodry Svet, released in English-speaking territories as Dark Blue World, also features Anna Massey and Charles Dance. more..

Director: Jan Sverák

Starring: Ondrej Vetchy, Krystof Hadek, Tara Fitzgerald, Charles Dance, Oldrich Kaiser

Reviews

  • The last word you'd expect for it is "sweet," yet it is exactly the right one. That may come as no surprise to some, since the director is Jan Sverak, who brought sweetness to his breakthrough film "Koyla," but it caught me by total surprise.

    Stephen Hunter - The Washington Post

    19 January 2013

  • A crackerjack combination of live action, special effects and recycled footage.

    Bob Graham - The San Francisco Chronicle

    19 January 2013

  • A bittersweet world, and it's frankly one to which we've been before, but seldom do we see it rendered with such exquisite, if pained, craftsmanship.

    Jay Carr - The Boston Globe

    19 January 2013

  • As it stands, Dark Blue World -- for all the considerable skills of the Sveraks and their colleagues on both sides of the camera -- occupies that treacherous territory between art film and popular epic.

    Kevin Thomas - Los Angeles Times

    19 January 2013

  • "Kolya" was as emotionally authentic and original as Dark Blue World is derivative and not compelling.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    19 January 2013

Awards

  • Czech Lions (2002)

  • Best Actor

    European Film Awards (2001)

     
  • Jan Sverák

    Love is Folly International Film Festival, Bulgaria (2002)

  • Top Foreign Films

    National Board of Review (2001)