The Stolen Airship

The Stolen Airship may not be based on any specific Jules Verne novel, but it captures their spirit and perfectly evokes the atmosphere of romantic dreaminess and naive amazement at the possibilities of modern science and technology at the end of the 19th century. The film is a typical piece by Karel Zeman, full of artistically unique props and picturesque backgrounds. It features many humorous scenes, such as the siege of a house by tabloid journalists with questions like, "Why didn't you send your child to reform school?" and characters like the prosecutor who swiftly changes his stance according to the situation. The film includes anti-war motifs typical of Zeman's work, but it is primarily a tribute to the adventurous world of young boys. Overall impression: 90%. (08/14/2007)

A wonderful example of how Karel Zeman was a playful filmmaker, how he returned to childhood through his characters and offered viewers the opportunity to shape their own childhood. A beautiful demonstration of imagination, both that of a child and of a filmmaker, often resulting in completely unique scenes that only Zeman could create, and no one else. (01/06/2016)