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 beautiful example of how Karel Zeman was a playful filmmaker, how through his characters, he returned to childhood, and thus offered the audience the opportunity to recreate their own childhoods. It’s a beautiful showcase of imagination, both the childlike and the cinematic, where oftentimes there are scenes that are absolutely unique and that could only be created by Zeman and no one else. (01/06/2016)