Give the Devil His Due

Hynek Bočan's 1985 Czechoslovak film is a family picture in the tradition of the folk tale. When the miller dies his greedy wife Dorota takes the mill and throws his son Petr out of the house. In hell Lucifer decides that her sins are complete and sends the devil Janek to fetch her. Janek makes a mess of it and is left on earth; when he crosses paths with Petr the two set about putting both Dorota and their own situations right. The film uses the familiar elements of Czech fairy tale cinema: scenes in hell, princesses, transformations and humour. The tone is light and the devils are not frightening but incompetent. It became a Christmas classic watched by generations at home. Who it's for: viewers who like Eastern European fairy tale films and family fantasy. Who it's not for: anyone without the cultural background; some of the humour rests on local tradition.