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Dark Blue World focuses on the relationship between Frantisek Slama (played with quiet authority by Ondrej Vetchy) and his protégé Karel Vojtisek (a fresh-faced Krystof Hadek). Escaping Czechoslovakia during the Nazi invasion of 1939, they enlist in the RAF, where the father/son relationship is threatened by their mutual attraction to the apparently widowed Susan (Tara Fitzgerald, thoughtfully understated). The film's culmination sees them reconciled in moving circumstances, and the perspective is widened by scenes set in 1950: Slama, as with most Czech soldiers who fought with the Allies, having been sentenced to hard labour by the Communist authorities as a potential security threat. His decent treatment by a German doctor, as opposed to the brutality of the Czech guards, points up the tragic irony of those who fought for freedom, only to finish up on the "wrong" side of the Iron Curtain.
Sverak maintains a persuasive balance between action sequences--into which out-takes from the 1969 epic The Battle of Britain have been seamlessly integrated--and the intimate portrayal of human relationships at a time of profound cultural upheaval. The musical score, tellingly arranged by Adam Klemens, centres around the pre-war song "Svita"--a haunting reminder of old-world charm in contrast to new-world grimness. Dark Blue World persuasively locates a human quality within the historical framework, and so makes for rewarding viewing.
On the DVD: Dark Blue World's original 2.35:1 aspect ratio (enhanced for widescreen TVs) reproduces with excellent clarity. Subtitles are in English only--necessary as the soundtrack includes dialogue in Czech and German--with full English subtitles for the hard of hearing. There's a joint running commentary from the Sveraks, an insightful making of documentary, and featurettes giving the low-down on visual effects and aerial sequences. The running photo montage allows for a full run-through of the indelible song "Svieta", and both the English and (very different) Czech trailers are included. Would that all present-day films were as well catered for. --Richard Whitehouse
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For me, Dark Blue World has to be one of the best and most poignant European films of the 21st Century. It is a film of many levels and yet, for me, addresses many issues. The film’s preamble text describes the efforts of Czechoslovak pilots who fought during the Battle of Britain in 1940 and beyond, only to be rewarded on their return to their homeland as political prisoners; individuals who, the state fears, would rise against the government in the new Eastern European communist Bloc order. The film regularly fast-forwards to the experiences of these men in the Czechoslovak “gulags” as a contrast to their earlier historical experiences during Word War II
Dark Blue World is, essentially, a story of two Czechoslovak pilots who flee their country under Nazi occupation, to fight with the Royal Air force during the summer of 1940. The theme of the story is their love for one woman; an individual kind and caring enough to take on a plethora of children evacuated from London during the blitz. The counterpoint to the film, however, is extremely moving. Despite these men being qualified pilots, English xenophobia portrays the discrimination they felt in proving that they too were worthy opponents of the Luftwaffe in the cockpit of a Spitfire.
The aerial combat scenes are truly breathtaking; despite, as I understand from previous pre-release reviews, these scenes being taken from unshown footage from the film “The Battle of Britain”, the scenes are mixed with contemporary footage that gives a true and unprecedented account of the horrors faced by fighter pilots during this conflict. I found the drama of war and conflict in this film on par with, if not more moving, than that of Saving Private Ryan.
Despite their love for the same woman, the central characters go through an extraordinary experience that demonstrates their camaraderie over selfish gains. The ending part to this film is truly unexpected and moving.
Dark Blue world is, essentially a romance, moulded on a Hollywood tried-and-tested theme yet made by European talent that is intent on portraying a much more subtler message. I watched this film just before the Remembrance Ceremony on 10 Nov 2002 and I was left compelled to remember not only British personnel that fell in the Second World War but the countless number of brave personnel not only from Czechoslovakia but France, Poland, Belgium and all the people from occupied territories who so determinedly came to Britain to carry on the fight.
The portrayal of humour, human emotion and horror of this film should not be dismissed on the basis that it is non-US or non-UK made. It is a milestone film for the simple fact that, through a story narrative, it tries to focus on events that are over sixty years old. I would recommend anyone to view this film and make his or her own decisions. For me, this I a film worthy of any collection.
However, a synopsis is just that: A very shallow and summary descriptionof what's about to happen. The execution, however, is what makes a goodstory (or a louse one). Unlike the Hollywood counterpart (Peral Harbour),Jan Sverak (the director) manages to describe the events and thecharacters in a believeable, respectful and humorous manner. Gone are thegood-evil archetypes, the bravado and long and tiresome sequences ofstupid dialog you'll see in Pearl Harbour. The acting and directing is thesplendid result of real actors and artists rather than "movie stars".While D.B.W. is somewhat lacking in action compared to P.H. it more thancompensates this with realism, a much better story and quite a few goodlaughs.
The flying is good but not exceptional. Compared to P.H. it's realistic(none of the chicken races or flying split seconds from certain death 90%of the time) and the heroes involved is presented as real persons, withreal feeling. The spitfires look very good for the most part and theaction is ok. As a warplane and aircombat enthusiast I would have lovedsome more of that aspect but the drama is very good (unlike the Hollywoodcounterpart where you'll find yourself fast-forwarding the moronic dialogparts most of the time to get to the action).
Consider this a "war drama" - not a war action film. If you're a warbirdsfan, looking for loads of great flying, you'll do well to lower yourexpectations and consider the aerial scenes a bonus.
This movie leaves you with memories of people and feeling, not just thefading images of explosions and dogfighting spitfires.
There are only two things over which men will ever fall out: money and women. Here, of course, it's the latter - or rather, one woman in particular. This may make you think of the dreadful film 'Pearl Harbour' (one of the principal reasons why Ben Affleck is now reduced to advertising Lynx Click) and it's true that the love triangle here is occasionally the clumsiest part of the film, but its devastating effects on the male protagonists are portrayed extremely well.
Another crucial aspect of this film's atmosphere is the music. Having been born in Prague, I am familiar with Jezek and the comic songs he composed in the thirties with Voskovec and Werich, many directly satirising Hitler's rise to power. Several are featured here. In fact, the title of this film comes from a Jezek song in which his failing eyesight matches the blues in his heart.
Dark Blue World is a very sad film, but a very impressive one.
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