The Pagan Queen

Czech Republic

Amok Film

R1 DVD

The film is based on the legend of 8th Century Queen Libuse in the area roughly known as Bohemia. In these days it was a loose collection of villages and small agricultural areas set in the great European forest. Libuse’s reign, however , marks the beginning of massive change for her country and her people. Invaders are moving into the area and she must initiate some of these changes herself for her people to survive. With so many men in the army she must buy in food. To raise money for this she allows the noblemen to open mines, which pollute the rivers and in turn lower the agricultural production.

The noblemen feel it is time for her to marry. Assassinating Libuse is not really an option – she is protected by her lifelong friend Vlasta who leads a team of Amazons. The nobles believe the people will more readily follow a man than a woman into battle. Of course, her husband would become king and gain power while she produces an heir. Instead of marrying a noble Libuse decides to marry a long-term lover, a commoner ploughman named Premysl. He is not happy with the arrangement and threatens that he will rule the country with an iron fist. This he does and power gradually passes from Libuse to him. He does, however, consolidate the country and makes it safer from invaders.

Libuse is the daughter of a forest elf and has the ability to see into the future. She has foreseen a great city being built in her country, but such a city will mean more food will be needed to support it. This in turn will mean the destruction of the great forests. Her husband proceeds ruthlessly to force changes on the country and Libuse is becoming concerned at what she has set in motion. Her people are becoming little more than slaves of the king and the forests from which she draws her power are disappearing. Can she reverse the destruction, or is it too late?

The film is a story of conflict between the old ways and the new and between men and women. It is sad in that it highlights the need for a ruler to surrender their own life and loves for the benefit of their people. It still maintains an element of hope, though, in Libuse’s vision of the great new city that became Prague.

Filmed in the remaining ancient forests, the film has a look of authenticity about it that is lacking in too many of the more glamorous films of the same genre.

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This review will appear in Volume 3 No. 5 of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.

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