Královský gambit

Královský gambit (1974) is a history, drama film directed by Jaromil Jireš.

Wenceslas II, who already has adult children Eliška and Václav, refuses to marry the young Alžběta Rejčka. In the end, he succumbs to the insistence of Abbot Konrád. The queen brings him Poland as a dowry, and Wenceslas II thus expands his empire. He still lives in the shadow of his great father, Přemysl Otakar II, and his lords reproach him for his weakness and inability to fight. Wenceslas is truly afraid of the moment when he will have to lead an army into the field and prefers to settle disputes diplomatically. His fencing teacher Hynek of Dubá and his mistress Anežka know about the king's weakness, and Václav seeks their company rather than his young wife. However, Rejčka admires the king and trusts him with the charm of a young girl. The enemy invades the country and advances quickly. It is necessary to confront him in the field, but the king hesitates and postpones the decision.

Cast

Jan Tříska

Jana Boušková

Martin Růžek

Libuše Geprtová

Vladimír Stach

Vladimír Leraus

Jaroslav Satoranský

Jan Kanyza

Karel Šebesta

Milan Riehs

Soběslav Sejk

Václav Lohniský