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Zelary

Play trailer Poster for Zelary R 2004 2h 30m Drama Romance War Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
74% Tomatometer 50 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Two lovers -- a nurse named Eliska (Anna Geislerová) and a surgeon, Richard (Ivan Trojan) -- join the resistance in Czechoslovakia during World War II. When they are discovered, the couple must separate and hide. Joza (György Cserhalmi), one of Eliska's patients, agrees to take her to an isolated cabin in the small mountain village of Zelary until she can reunite with Richard. But Eliska and Joza end up living together for two years and take on the persona of husband and wife.
Zelary

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Zelary is a satisfyingly old-fashioned romance with an epic sweep.

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Critics Reviews

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Carrie Rickey Philadelphia Inquirer 12/02/2004
3/4
The story is as basic as a peasant meal -- and just as hearty. Go to Full Review Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle 11/07/2004
3.5/5
By the time it's over you find yourself wondering why more films don't have the chutzpah to delve deeper into the battle-weary heart. Go to Full Review Janice Page Boston Globe 10/29/2004
2.5/4
Humble, heartwarming storytelling with good acting and lush visuals. Go to Full Review Philip Martin Arkansas Democrat-Gazette 01/08/2005
B+
...may seem long and solemn to those used to the pacy rhythms of Hollywood films, but the sense of ennui it occasionally evokes strengthens its grip Go to Full Review Jeff Vice Deseret News (Salt Lake City) 12/10/2004
3.5/4
Here's a film that manages to tell its tale without pandering, without cheap melodrama, without gimmicks and without big-name stars. Instead, it simply develops its characters and lets the drama unfold naturally. Go to Full Review Sean P. Means Salt Lake Tribune 12/10/2004
2.5/4
When it should be building toward something stirring, Zelary instead meanders like the sheep grazing on the nearby hillsides. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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01/26/2014 basic story in this period war drama See more 12/29/2013 One of the best movies I've seen. Ever. See more 01/02/2013 Epic, epic movie of war, redemption, and love. It is like nothing I have ever seen before. Beautiful in every way. See more 12/18/2012 Messy, disjointed, yet still compelling at times. It's a real shame that this film cannot decide what it wants to achieve and execute it well. See more William K 06/08/2012 Beautiful cinematography, good acting, and a very good screenplay. The disparate entry of several sub-texts here and there are confusing at times. Worth watching. See more 11/19/2011 A pleasant and elegant production with some earnest performances (especially Anna Geislerová's and György Cserhalmi) and an interesting premise. The problem is that the film is two hours and a half long, and ultimately it doesn't offer anything new or truly engaging. The parts are better than the sum of them. See more Read all reviews
Zelary

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Cast & Crew

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Ondrej Trojan

Director

Anna Geislerová

Eliska

György Cserhalmi

Joza

Jaroslava Adamová

Lucka

Miroslav Donutil

Priest

Jaroslav Dusek

Teacher Tkác

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Zelary

A scene from the film ZELARY, directed by Ondifej Trojan. A scene from the film ZELARY, directed by Ondifej Trojan. A scene from the film ZELARY, directed by Ondifej Trojan. A scene from the film ZELARY, directed by Ondifej Trojan. A scene from the film ZELARY, directed by Ondifej Trojan. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Two lovers -- a nurse named Eliska (Anna Geislerová) and a surgeon, Richard (Ivan Trojan) -- join the resistance in Czechoslovakia during World War II. When they are discovered, the couple must separate and hide. Joza (György Cserhalmi), one of Eliska's patients, agrees to take her to an isolated cabin in the small mountain village of Zelary until she can reunite with Richard. But Eliska and Joza end up living together for two years and take on the persona of husband and wife.
Director
Ondrej Trojan
Producer
Ondrej Trojan
Screenwriter
Kveta Legátová, Petr Jarchovský
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Czech TV, ALEF Film & Media Group, Barrandov Studio
Rating
R (Some Sexual Content|Violence)
Genre
Drama, Romance, War
Original Language
Czech
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 4, 2004, Wide
Release Date (DVD)
Feb 8, 2005
Box Office (Gross USA)
$329.7K
Runtime
2h 30m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)