I found this movie had allot of realism when it comes to life in that time period. This is how they traveled and lived. I found the script needed work in some areas, yet is one of my favorites. It was refreshing to see that it showed the true ideas of what Prince Wencelaus life was like and based on some real history. I would like to see this re released in DVD formate. This is one of the last movies Joan Fontaine was in and it was nice to see her with all her grace and glory. I was always sorry to hear that Jonathon Brandis will never be able to make another movie. Great for the whole family to share. If anyone can find it let me know.
9 Reviews
Jonathan Brandis is great!!!
vinnienh19 December 2000
Since I saw this tv-movie I am a great admirer of the terribly goodlooking Jonathan Brandis. The interesting aspect about this film is that it features Joan Fontaine, star of the forties. It's a shame that she has such a small part.
Fun and entertaining.
rdanieltho11 March 2009
Warning: Spoilers
To me the most note worthy item in this film is that it's the final screen appearance of great Oscar winning actress Joan Fontaine. Her roll fleeting as it is creates a moral foundation for the honest and upright King Winceslas. Joan Fontaine offers one of the only emotional scenes in this film building to her fateful murder towards the ending.
Jonathan Brandis creates an emotional King Winceslas who must save his people from a treacherous and evil conniving Queen played by Stephanie Powers.
The film has both good moments and bad moments but over all it's a fine traditional piece for the holidays.
Jonathan Brandis creates an emotional King Winceslas who must save his people from a treacherous and evil conniving Queen played by Stephanie Powers.
The film has both good moments and bad moments but over all it's a fine traditional piece for the holidays.
A very good TV movie
HobbitHole26 June 2007
Warning: Spoilers
If you have been to Prague and come to the main train station, you are very close to the Wenceslas Square, named for the character in this story.
Very likely, like most movie versions of stories about historical characters, there are bound to be variations of the story and not everything in the tale may be true.
However, it is not as bad as the fellow wrote about being a cross between a Hallmark movie and a Disney cartoon. It is what it is: a TV (television) movie. It's not a big budget, Eragon type fantasy adventure.
Besides, if he's truly from Czech, he should know about cheesy TV legends as Czech TV's airwaves are full of them just about any holiday.
Jonathan Brandis (formerly in Neverending Story 2) does a good job of playing a young ruler whom his wicked stepmother (Stefanie Powers) doesn't want to rule...because she has a son of her own that she hopes to take the throne.
It is a very helpful film for those who would like to learn something of Czech history. For learning of the accuracy of the history, there are books that can be purchased to check, I won't bore you with details, but check your favorite bookseller or importer.
Very likely, like most movie versions of stories about historical characters, there are bound to be variations of the story and not everything in the tale may be true.
However, it is not as bad as the fellow wrote about being a cross between a Hallmark movie and a Disney cartoon. It is what it is: a TV (television) movie. It's not a big budget, Eragon type fantasy adventure.
Besides, if he's truly from Czech, he should know about cheesy TV legends as Czech TV's airwaves are full of them just about any holiday.
Jonathan Brandis (formerly in Neverending Story 2) does a good job of playing a young ruler whom his wicked stepmother (Stefanie Powers) doesn't want to rule...because she has a son of her own that she hopes to take the throne.
It is a very helpful film for those who would like to learn something of Czech history. For learning of the accuracy of the history, there are books that can be purchased to check, I won't bore you with details, but check your favorite bookseller or importer.
Great Movie
combat_cleric19 March 2002
I saw this movie back in 1994 when it aired on TV, and loved it. Unfortunately, I only was able to watch it the once or twice, as I never could find it on tv again. Maybe I just missed it when it was on again, but I wish it would be aired again soon, or released on video. It is great movie that adults, family, and slightly older kids would enjoy - I was only 12 when I saw it and loved it! I hope it will be aired or released on video so that those who missed it will be able to watch it! On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best, I rate this movie a 15!!
Good King Wencelas was good indeed
palcat90310 October 2014
I loved this movie, and have not been able to find a copy after it aired on TV. I love that it was shot on location in the Czech Republic. It was shot during the winter, and was very stark and realistic. This movie introduced me to Enya and the song "Marble Halls", which was the opening song. I bought Enya's CD after seeing this movie. There were some big names in the cast like Stephanie Powers and Joan Fontaine. I only saw it aired a few times on TV in the mid-90s and thought it deserved more attention. My criticisms: I thought the lead actor seemed too young and small to portray the lead character but liked the movie nonetheless. There was not much of a budget for wardrobes, but the fact that the movie was shot on location more than balanced that out.
An incredible movie!!!
Sindaannuniel20 September 2003
When I saw Good King Wenceslas for the first time at least 8 years ago, I fell head over heels in love with it! The acting and scenery are great. Stephanie Powers was a complete success and Jonathon Brandis was incredible! The sword play is a bit weak, but I love how Wenceslas never kills anyone and how God is clearly on his side. I just wish there was a place to buy the film in the US for I would love to own it!
a truly based and fantastic film!!
eleanorsoul8 August 2004
I saw this film a few weeks ago when it showed on CCTV China.I'm so into it and Jon Brandis(and it was the first time I knew about him)--he was soooo great in the movie!! And I was shocked when I knew he's on the heaven.I went to a wet that's set to memorize him and found out how he died. I began to consider about this luxurious-and-full-of-dreams-looking show-biz group. It isn't that good all the time, right?
Back to this movie, the shootings are beautiful, the acting and songs are brilliant.I bet there'd be people from all ages like it,including my mom and I(I'm 18 years old).
I rate this movie 9.5 plus a special 10 for Jon Brandis.We like you and forever.
Back to this movie, the shootings are beautiful, the acting and songs are brilliant.I bet there'd be people from all ages like it,including my mom and I(I'm 18 years old).
I rate this movie 9.5 plus a special 10 for Jon Brandis.We like you and forever.
Fictional but enjoyable telling of a legend
wrxsti548 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The tale of King Wenceslas has become the stuff of such legend that an iconic Christmas carol attempts to outline his life of alleged piety and virtue. Based on the life of 10th century Bohemian Duke Wenceslaus and the intrigue surrounding claims on his title by his step brother, this 1994 TV Movie tells a fictional story of the teenage Prince and heir to the Bohemian throne.
The made up story is that Wenceslas' father the king dies leaving his wife and mother Regent until Wenceslas comes of age. She plots with her other son to marry off Wenceslas once 18 to the daughter of a neighboring Duke to acquire his considerable dowry and adjacent lands only to have her loyal barons kill Wenceslas' beloved grandmother and Wenceslas once he is crowned king but before he could squire an heir to install the wicked and conniving Queen to rule in cahoots with her more corrupt son. Taxes are raised, priests killed and a church burned all supposedly in the name of Prince Wenceslas to gin up peasant opposition so that his death would be welcomed.
At first Wenceslas resists the arranged marriage as does the betrothed Princess Johanna but they fall in love and, with the help of loyal knights and peasants who know the Prince to be kind and noble, they kill the evil plotting barons and exile the queen and his treasonous brother.
Despite the fictional story line, this production strives for considerable accuracy being filmed in winter in the Czech Republic in genuine medieval castles with excellent costumes. A well known cast of English (or Shakespearean trained) actors give the film some acting gravitas: Duke Phillip (Leo McKenna), the Queen (Stephanie Powers) and grandmother Queen Ludmilla (Joan Fontaine) and Roger Hammond, Donald Pickering and John Hallam as noblemen at court.
Princess Johanna is well played by Charlotte Chatton and Stephanie Powers is wonderfully sinister as queen. Of note is the warm and touching performance of Joan Fontaine which was her last appearance on screen. The casting of still very youthful 17 year old Jonathan Brandis as a Prince and royal heir was interesting as by now he had become one of the top teen heartthrobs in Hollywood as the star of SeaQuest QSV. Many put Brandis' rise to fame down to his photogenic handsome blond/blue eyed looks but he proved to be a compelling and even charismatic actor through his teens and acquits himself well in this more serious role complete with doing his own sword fighting stunts.
It is an intriguing and well made take on a great and enduring legend.
The made up story is that Wenceslas' father the king dies leaving his wife and mother Regent until Wenceslas comes of age. She plots with her other son to marry off Wenceslas once 18 to the daughter of a neighboring Duke to acquire his considerable dowry and adjacent lands only to have her loyal barons kill Wenceslas' beloved grandmother and Wenceslas once he is crowned king but before he could squire an heir to install the wicked and conniving Queen to rule in cahoots with her more corrupt son. Taxes are raised, priests killed and a church burned all supposedly in the name of Prince Wenceslas to gin up peasant opposition so that his death would be welcomed.
At first Wenceslas resists the arranged marriage as does the betrothed Princess Johanna but they fall in love and, with the help of loyal knights and peasants who know the Prince to be kind and noble, they kill the evil plotting barons and exile the queen and his treasonous brother.
Despite the fictional story line, this production strives for considerable accuracy being filmed in winter in the Czech Republic in genuine medieval castles with excellent costumes. A well known cast of English (or Shakespearean trained) actors give the film some acting gravitas: Duke Phillip (Leo McKenna), the Queen (Stephanie Powers) and grandmother Queen Ludmilla (Joan Fontaine) and Roger Hammond, Donald Pickering and John Hallam as noblemen at court.
Princess Johanna is well played by Charlotte Chatton and Stephanie Powers is wonderfully sinister as queen. Of note is the warm and touching performance of Joan Fontaine which was her last appearance on screen. The casting of still very youthful 17 year old Jonathan Brandis as a Prince and royal heir was interesting as by now he had become one of the top teen heartthrobs in Hollywood as the star of SeaQuest QSV. Many put Brandis' rise to fame down to his photogenic handsome blond/blue eyed looks but he proved to be a compelling and even charismatic actor through his teens and acquits himself well in this more serious role complete with doing his own sword fighting stunts.
It is an intriguing and well made take on a great and enduring legend.
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