The Stolen Airship

The stolen airship was not based on any of Jules Verne's novels, but it reflects their spirit and perfectly evokes the atmosphere of romantic daydreaming and naive astonishment at the possibilities of modern science and technology at the end of the 19th century. The film is a typical work by Karel Zeman, full of visually unique props and picturesque backgrounds. It contains a number of humorous scenes, such as the besieging of a house by tabloid journalists with questions like, "Why didn't you send your child to a correctional facility?" and characters like a prosecutor who flexibly changes his stance according to the development of the situation. The film has 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)