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Poster for The Valley of the Bees

The Valley of the Bees

Seen it?

1968 | 101 min | Drama, History

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
If you count yourself among anyone who likes stories from the past brought to life and people who like stories about real, flawed people, this one's for you. Leaves you with something to think about. A good follow-up to Belfast.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Lets scenes breathe, at 1 hr 41 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in another language, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1968: an older pace and style.
  • Skip it if you need something light and fast tonight.

Cast out by his father, young Ondrej joins the Order of the Teutonic Knights, where he is raised by strict monk Armin. After years of hardship, Ondrej escapes from the Order when he is wrongly punished, and sets out for his former home. Arriving to discover his father to be dead, Ondrej now not only assumes control of his father's properties, but seeks to marry his former stepmother.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsBelow par

    Mixed reviews

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerWeak

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 9K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by František Vláčil

  • Petr ČepekOndřej z Vlkova
  • Jan KačerArmin von Heide
  • Zdeněk Kryzánekpán z Vlkova
  • Věra GalatíkováLenora
  • Miroslav MacháčekBrown Friar
  • Josef SomrRotgier
  • Václav KotvaFarmer
  • Josef KotapišOld Collier
  • Petr SedlákYoung Collier
  • Jana HlaváčkováBlind girl