Dark Blue World (2001)
-
62% of critics liked it
(58 reviews) -
80% of users liked it
(3,601 ratings)
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,… More 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. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Jan Sverák
- Written By
- Zdenek Sverák
- Genres
- Drama
R,
- In Theaters
- Dec 28, 2001 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Classics
Critic Reviews
-
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
It's a fitting requiem for heroes forgotten.
-
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
Looks like the Eastern European version of director Michael Bay's popcorn epic from last summer.
-
, Globe and Mail
Dark Blue World almost feels like three scripts rolled into one.
-
Jay Carr, Boston Globe
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.
-
Marta Barber, Miami Herald
Dark Blue World's warm story and beautiful photography almost hits the mark, and it has a great ending.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Cast
-
Ondrej Vetchý
as Lt. Franta Slama
-
Tara Fitzgerald
as Susan Whitmore
-
Oldrich Kaiser
as Machaty
-
Charles Dance
as Wing Commander Bentley
-
Anna Massey
as English teacher
- Krystof Hádek
- Hans-Jorg Assmann
