It is a wonderful example of what television can be, in the best tradition of the Czech TV series: this means fantasy, inventions, humor, good ideas; here, instead of fairy tales, we find science fiction. Director Ota Hofman and Jindrich Polak were provided with big means as for scenarios and special effects (big for that and today's time), but after all the value of their work lies not here. It is their direction itself, the good and cute actors, the rich screenplay, and the many original inventions scattered throughout the series. Everything is made more pleasant by the Czech sense of humor: this means that you are led to laughing not by someone who makes the fool of himself, by dirty jokes or by exaggerations of any kind. The humor is placed in the delicate double meaning - or absurdity - of some dialogs and situations. The main trigger of fun and laughing is the diversity between the visitors from the future and the people of 1984. Habits, conventional attitudes, laws, taboos, good manners are quiet different and often the visitors cannot help seeming strange and funny to the world of the past. Generally speaking, this is a further proof that vulgar jokes about sex are not at all necessary to make people laugh, and not the best means either. It is a good entertainment both for children and adults. Now that it is available on DVD there is the possibility of taking a chance, especially for those who were not enough lucky to see it on television (Czechoslovakians and Germans) when it was first broadcast. As in most Czech series and movies there is no political propaganda. There are only some hints to workers upheavals and protests in the Western World, but in a light way that one can forgive. The series was shot with great efforts between 1981 and 1983, and one can observe the changes in the aspect of the adult actors, and big changes in some children. Anyway, the seventies and the eighties were the best years for Czech television (and for other televisions too). Today's TV series should only blush of shame in front of this one. Furthermore, there is no sex whatsoever; though, there is some innocent erotics when the camera catches some shots of Dagmar Patrasova. In my opinion, she is one of the most beautiful women ever appeared on the screen. For male audiences it is almost impossible not to be amazed by her.
6 Reviews
One of the best shows made in the 80's
sevenjetc15 January 2006
I've seen this show many times as child. Four travelers in time have to retrieve a notebook containing notes crucial for saving of Earth. Despite the effort put in their study of 20th Century Earth, sometimes it is hard for the 24th Century people to stay inconspicuous, which leads to many, rather funny, situations. The show is with its idealistic vision of future Earth as peaceful place where the nations no longer fight each other best comparable to the Earth seen in American show "Star Trek". The reactions that heroes had to the 20th Century is similar to this that heroes of the old show "Galactica 1980" have when the Battlestar Galactica finally arrives to Earth. If you enjoyed the shows mentioned above, it is possible that you will enjoy this one as well. This show still remains to be the only sci-fi series made in the former Czechoslovakia and even in now-a-days Czech Republic.
The Best TV Series of All Time Anywhere? Led by Josef Bláha as King of Ridiculous Enunciation
faterson17 March 2013
This TV series (15 installments of 30 minutes each) is an astounding triumph of film-making, made in the midst of the dark Communist era in Czechoslovakia. Perhaps it's because political reality back then was so bleak, that Czech film-makers made so many outstanding fantasy and sci-fi movies in those years.
_The Visitors_ bring a new twist: their charm lies in *combining* the present-day reality with imagined life on Earth 500 years later -- in 2484. It's a time-travel story about 4 people from 2484 visiting the typical Czechoslovak small-town of Kamenice in 1984.
For those of us who remember those years and who watch (and endlessly rewatch, because it's *that* enjoyable) the series today, _The Visitors_ possess a double-charm -- something the original audience couldn't have appreciated. You get to see the life of a typical 1980s Czech/Slovak small-town; you see how people used to live, think, and talk. As in all pseudo-Communist, ex-Soviet block societies, *theft* mentality was rampant everywhere, and is even captured in a purely entertainment series like _The Visitors_. There's a wonderful aura of *nostalgia* pervading the series: you see the grocery stores of those days, with old-fashioned cash registers (no electronics yet); you see people waiting in lines to cash in on empty beer bottles; you see people eating and drinking products popular back then.
There is something about many Czech TV series ostensibly "made for kids" that very much distinguishes them from, say, American made-for-kids series -- it's how purposefully smart they are: in a way that, in fact, makes them as enjoyable for *adults* as for kids. There's no shying away here from displaying scenes and themes that would likely have been dismissed as unthinkable by American movie/TV producers, ostensibly creating their works in a "free" society. So here's the monumental irony: it's as if the creators of _The Visitors_ were given more freedom to show whatever (unrelated to politics) they wished to show, than the "freedom" they would likely have been given by an American studio.
There's a pervasive, underlying theme of eroticism throughout _The Visitors_ -- and in relation to various age groups, too. A couple of very young kids in leading roles are "in love"; some of what they say to each other would be unthinkable in an American series, I'm afraid. And there's the main "vamp" of _The Visitors_: Dagmar Patrasová; she's downright *meant* to be the erotic attraction of _The Visitors_, and she definitely is (though not, personally, quite my style). She engages in multiple, passionate French kisses with her suitor. Czech/Slovak parents in 1984 would simply shrug that off as "a bit of adult stuff in a kids series -- why not?"
_The Visitors_ are exquisite on every level; it's as if everyone who was anything in Czech movie-making in the early 1980s, contributed in some way to _The Visitors_. Let's start with the array of legendary Czech actors, all at their best here. Possibly the chief attraction is the supremely ridiculous Josef Bláha as the boss of the expedition from the future; Bláha is so consistently funny throughout the 7.5 hours of _The Visitors_' runtime, that he made me want to roll on the floor laughing at him at least a few dozen times. It's not so much *what* Bláha says or does that's funny (although it's comical enough) -- but it's especially his masterful delivery of the pompous/silly lines that makes you want to scream with laughter. His funny manner of enunciation can probably only be fully appreciated by a Czech or Slovak viewer, because this is *not* the standard way of speaking Czech.
A similar master of funny enunciation is Even Jegorov, playing Adam's father. A fabulous, multi-layered (simultaneously comical/serious/poignant) performance is given by Vlastimil Brodský as "The Great Teacher". For all the awe about what the future will bring, Brodský's character unforgettably shows that it all comes down to hands-on skills and common sense eventually. Vladimír Meník is admirable as the local police chief, and Dagmar Vekrnová (later wife of Václav Havel) as Adam's mother. An actor whose delivery is as funny as Bláha's is the legendary stand-up comedian Jiří Císler in a supporting role as the hotel manager -- whenever he says something in _The Visitors_, it's all you can do to avoid exploding with laughter. And there's a classic 5-minute cameo by the famously corpulent Helena Růičková.
The direction by the grandmaster of Czech fantasy Jindřich Polák is flawless, and the screenplay by his long-time partner Ota Hofman is astonishing in how smart and super-funny it is; jokes abound in every installment, and you have hardly time enough to finish laughing, before another joke comes at you. _The Visitors_, although ostensibly a work of fantasy, are, in fact, perhaps an even better comedy -- one of the finest Czech comedies ever made. The soundtrack was composed by the giant of Czech electronic music, Karel Svoboda; the theme melodies (both opening and closing credits) are extremely memorable. The king of Czech animation, Jan vankmajer, contributed many examples of his craft for _The Vistors_ -- such as the preparation of "amarouny", the only food people in 2484 ever eat. The inventive costuming is the work of Theodor Pitěk, Oscar winner with Milo Forman's _Amadeus_.
_The Visitors_ are exciting, wise, funny, tender and poetic -- all at the same time. The final, nostalgic scene with the duo of ultra-young "Romeo and Juliet" disappearing in a woodland scenery, encapsulates it all. _The Visitors_ are for the kids, and they're for adults -- or are you saying you wouldn't enjoy "humidating" ("humidovat")? "Humidation" is a favorite activity of people in 2484; but the film-makers purposely decline to specify what that activity actually is. Yes: a fantasy/comic TV series from Communist Czechoslovakia of 1983 dared to be *that* smart.
_The Visitors_ bring a new twist: their charm lies in *combining* the present-day reality with imagined life on Earth 500 years later -- in 2484. It's a time-travel story about 4 people from 2484 visiting the typical Czechoslovak small-town of Kamenice in 1984.
For those of us who remember those years and who watch (and endlessly rewatch, because it's *that* enjoyable) the series today, _The Visitors_ possess a double-charm -- something the original audience couldn't have appreciated. You get to see the life of a typical 1980s Czech/Slovak small-town; you see how people used to live, think, and talk. As in all pseudo-Communist, ex-Soviet block societies, *theft* mentality was rampant everywhere, and is even captured in a purely entertainment series like _The Visitors_. There's a wonderful aura of *nostalgia* pervading the series: you see the grocery stores of those days, with old-fashioned cash registers (no electronics yet); you see people waiting in lines to cash in on empty beer bottles; you see people eating and drinking products popular back then.
There is something about many Czech TV series ostensibly "made for kids" that very much distinguishes them from, say, American made-for-kids series -- it's how purposefully smart they are: in a way that, in fact, makes them as enjoyable for *adults* as for kids. There's no shying away here from displaying scenes and themes that would likely have been dismissed as unthinkable by American movie/TV producers, ostensibly creating their works in a "free" society. So here's the monumental irony: it's as if the creators of _The Visitors_ were given more freedom to show whatever (unrelated to politics) they wished to show, than the "freedom" they would likely have been given by an American studio.
There's a pervasive, underlying theme of eroticism throughout _The Visitors_ -- and in relation to various age groups, too. A couple of very young kids in leading roles are "in love"; some of what they say to each other would be unthinkable in an American series, I'm afraid. And there's the main "vamp" of _The Visitors_: Dagmar Patrasová; she's downright *meant* to be the erotic attraction of _The Visitors_, and she definitely is (though not, personally, quite my style). She engages in multiple, passionate French kisses with her suitor. Czech/Slovak parents in 1984 would simply shrug that off as "a bit of adult stuff in a kids series -- why not?"
_The Visitors_ are exquisite on every level; it's as if everyone who was anything in Czech movie-making in the early 1980s, contributed in some way to _The Visitors_. Let's start with the array of legendary Czech actors, all at their best here. Possibly the chief attraction is the supremely ridiculous Josef Bláha as the boss of the expedition from the future; Bláha is so consistently funny throughout the 7.5 hours of _The Visitors_' runtime, that he made me want to roll on the floor laughing at him at least a few dozen times. It's not so much *what* Bláha says or does that's funny (although it's comical enough) -- but it's especially his masterful delivery of the pompous/silly lines that makes you want to scream with laughter. His funny manner of enunciation can probably only be fully appreciated by a Czech or Slovak viewer, because this is *not* the standard way of speaking Czech.
A similar master of funny enunciation is Even Jegorov, playing Adam's father. A fabulous, multi-layered (simultaneously comical/serious/poignant) performance is given by Vlastimil Brodský as "The Great Teacher". For all the awe about what the future will bring, Brodský's character unforgettably shows that it all comes down to hands-on skills and common sense eventually. Vladimír Meník is admirable as the local police chief, and Dagmar Vekrnová (later wife of Václav Havel) as Adam's mother. An actor whose delivery is as funny as Bláha's is the legendary stand-up comedian Jiří Císler in a supporting role as the hotel manager -- whenever he says something in _The Visitors_, it's all you can do to avoid exploding with laughter. And there's a classic 5-minute cameo by the famously corpulent Helena Růičková.
The direction by the grandmaster of Czech fantasy Jindřich Polák is flawless, and the screenplay by his long-time partner Ota Hofman is astonishing in how smart and super-funny it is; jokes abound in every installment, and you have hardly time enough to finish laughing, before another joke comes at you. _The Visitors_, although ostensibly a work of fantasy, are, in fact, perhaps an even better comedy -- one of the finest Czech comedies ever made. The soundtrack was composed by the giant of Czech electronic music, Karel Svoboda; the theme melodies (both opening and closing credits) are extremely memorable. The king of Czech animation, Jan vankmajer, contributed many examples of his craft for _The Vistors_ -- such as the preparation of "amarouny", the only food people in 2484 ever eat. The inventive costuming is the work of Theodor Pitěk, Oscar winner with Milo Forman's _Amadeus_.
_The Visitors_ are exciting, wise, funny, tender and poetic -- all at the same time. The final, nostalgic scene with the duo of ultra-young "Romeo and Juliet" disappearing in a woodland scenery, encapsulates it all. _The Visitors_ are for the kids, and they're for adults -- or are you saying you wouldn't enjoy "humidating" ("humidovat")? "Humidation" is a favorite activity of people in 2484; but the film-makers purposely decline to specify what that activity actually is. Yes: a fantasy/comic TV series from Communist Czechoslovakia of 1983 dared to be *that* smart.
The best series which was ever made in Czechoslovakia
info-873830 November 2007
Hi, this series is the best what have been created in Czechoslovakia/Czech republic... Story, actors, music, atmosphere, humor... the best... There wasn't any better series than Navstevnici. The best actors, nice music (soundtrack). Todays series can't compare with this series. Hi, this series is the best what have been created in Czechoslovakia/Czech republic... Story, actors, music, atmosphere, humor... the best... There wasn't any better series than Navstevnici. The best actors, nice music (soundtrack). Todays series can't compare with this series. Hi, this series is the best what have been created in Czechoslovakia/Czech republic... Story, actors, music, atmosphere, humor... the best... There wasn't any better series than Navstevnici. The best actors, nice music (soundtrack). Todays series can't compare with this series.
Best children entertainment
Rabbi-420 June 1999
This series is one of the best examples of the very good Czech children entertainment tradition. Humorous, intelligent, exciting and imaginative.
It is a pity, that this tradition got lost in late 80ies, and I hope it will grow up again someday - our children deserve better films than stupid violent "good-bad"-stories like "Sailormoon" or crap like that!
It is a pity, that this tradition got lost in late 80ies, and I hope it will grow up again someday - our children deserve better films than stupid violent "good-bad"-stories like "Sailormoon" or crap like that!
THE TV series for kids. And not only kids...
mirceaar2 December 2001
This series, together with the Arabella, made by the same crew, are the most entertaining, funny, witty, you name it. Unfortunately, I haven't seen since anything that would equal these, not to say top them. Now, that I have access to all kinds of TV stations, all I can see are some absolutely dumb (mainly) american series. Stuff that I wouldn't let my kids watch for anything in the world. Maybe there are some worth watching, but I haven't seen or heard of them yet.
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