Ladislav Pesek Collection (4DVD) - DVD

Safecrackers
directed by: Pavel Blumenfeld, 1958, 82 min., b&w
starring: L. Pešek, J. Pivec, R. Hrušínský, J. Gruss, J. Beyvl, J. Kemr, M. Růžek, E. Kohout, E. Fiala, J. Bohdalová
Pavel Blumenfeld's comedy tells the story of a group of former safecrackers who have all turned over a new leaf – except for one. They now live honest lives and are mostly desperate to avoid any reminder of their past. However, their history isn't entirely forgotten, so it's no surprise when the cunning accountant Háša decides to take advantage of the situation. He robs the safe and arranges things so that all the evidence clearly points to former safecracker Fiala, or someone from his gang. Captain Šmok takes on the case. Will he manage to uncover the real culprit?
SUBTITLES: Czech for the hearing impaired

Of things supernatural
directed by: J. Krejčík, J. Mach, M. Makovec, 1958, 104 min., b&w
starring: L. Pešek, V. Brodský, F. le Breux, B. Záhorský, E. Fiala, R. Deyl ml., O. Nový, I. Kačírková, J. Marvan, M. Kopecký, F. Filipovský
Three short stories by Karel Čapek show us that not every good deed is appreciated and properly rewarded, and that not everything is as it first seems.
“Gloria” – shows the viewer that having a halo isn't always a bed of roses and that a little sin now and then does no harm at all.
“The secret of handwriting” – reveals what jealousy can do to people, and that believing a graphologist, even a respected one, isn't always the wisest choice.
“A legal case” – the seemingly happy ending of a minor traffic accident and the sudden resurrection of retired railwayman Bartoš puts Mr. Krup in quite a tight spot.
SUBTITLES: Czech for the hearing impaired

Stick, out of the sack!
directed by: Jaromír Pleskot, 1955, 71 min., colour
starring: L. Pešek, J. Beyvl, F. Smolík, R. Borová, M. Fišák, A. Košnar, I. Pejšková, P. Pleskotová, D. Strudlová
A fairytale about a poor musician with a house full of hungry children. He decides to go out into the world to earn a living. After a long journey, he arrives at an inn where a feast is being held. He plays for the guests, and for his performance, the greedy innkeeper gives him only a piece of dry bread. The musician meets a magical old man who gives him a tablecloth that sets itself and a donkey that drops ducats. The musician sets off for home with his gifts. On the way, he stops at the inn and shows them to the innkeeper. However, the cunning innkeeper swaps them. At home, the musician shows the gifts to his family, but no magic happens. The poor man realises who robbed him and heads back to the innkeeper to use his third gift – the stick!
BONUSES: a word from the historian, photographs, biographies and filmographies, contemporary documentation
SUBTITLES: Czech for the hearing impaired, English and German

Hard life of an adventurer
directed by: Martin Frič, 1941, 85 min., b&w
starring: O. Korbelář, L. Pešek, A. Mandlová, J. Marvan, K. Dostal, K. Černý, R. Hrušínský, F. Filipovský
Pulp fiction writer Kryšpín is finishing another novel about the robber Flok. One day, a man appears in his flat claiming to be Flok and refuses to leave. Against his will, Kryšpín is dragged into the real world of crime. At this inconvenient time, Kryšpín meets a girl who longs to experience the criminal underworld.
SUBTITLES: Czech for the hearing impaired