The Valley of the Bees (1968): Cast & Plot
The Valley of the Bees is a 1968 historical drama directed by František Vláčil, starring Zdeněk Řehoř as Teutonic Knight by Ondřej's Cell (voice), Jan Kačer and Věra Galatíková. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 37m (97 min)
- Director
- František Vláčil
- Original language
-
Czech - Studio
- Filmové studio Barrandov
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Valley of the Bees About?
The premise of The Valley of the Bees without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Cast out by his father, young Ondrej joins the Teutonic Knights and is raised by the strict monk Armin. After years of hardship and a wrongful punishment, he flees the Order and returns home to find his father dead. Ondrej inherits the estates and, seeking security, plans to marry his former stepmother.
The Valley of the Bees Themes & Keywords
· 44 tags- male nudity
- nudity
- animal in title
- homoeroticism
- monastery
- gay subtext
- younger version of character
- girl
- male star appears shirtless
- central europe
- 12 year old boy
- boy
+32 more Show fewer
- class differences
- bare chested male
- identity crisis
- allegory
- homoerotic subtext
- knight as protagonist
- identity
- 12 year old
- phallic symbolism
- homoerotic
- medieval times
- 13th century
- horseback riding
- rural setting
- period drama
- costume drama
- psychological drama
- bat
- monk
- bee
- widow
- sword
- shepherd
- murder
- monasticism
- middle ages
- mercy
- knight
- forgiveness
- dog
- crusades
- castle
The Valley of the Bees Cast & Characters
Zdeněk Řehoř leads the cast as Teutonic Knight by Ondřej's Cell (voice), with Jan Kačer as Armin von Heide and Věra Galatíková as Lenora. Directed by František Vláčil; 32 actors are credited in all.
- Director František Vláčil
- Zdeněk Řehoř as Teutonic Knight by Ondřej's Cell (voice)
- Jan Kačer as Armin von Heide
- Věra Galatíková as Lenora
- Petr Čepek as Ondřej z Vlkova
Also Starring in The Valley of the Bees
· 28 more- Josef Somr Rotgier
- Pavel Landovský Young Hunter (voice)
- Václav Kotva Farmer
- Ladislav Gzela Jakub
- Karel Engel
- Miroslav Macháček Brown Friar
- Zdeněk Kryzánek pán z Vlkova
- Vlastimila Vlková
- František Kovářík Shepherd
- Vladimír Navrátil
- Ludvík Wolf Young Hunter
- Vlastimil Hašek Young Collier (voice)
- František Husák
- Josef Kotapiš Old Collier
- Petr Štěpánek Markvart
- Vilém Besser Old Hunter (voice)
Show all 32 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Antonín Pražák Old Hunter
- Vítězslav Vejražka Blasius (voice)
- Michal Kožuch Blasius
- Petr Sedlák Young Collier
- Miloš Willig
- Jana Hlaváčková Blind girl
- Zdeněk Sedláček
- Jan Kratochvíl Teutonic Knight by Ondřej's Cell
- Jiří Stivín
- Jana Hájková
- Zdeněk Chlum
- Václav Mach
More from František Vláčil
More films directed by František Vláčil: Magician, Shades of Fern, Albert and The Little Shepherd Boy from the Valley.
The Valley of the Bees Plot Summary
What happens in The Valley of the Bees from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film is set in the 13th century, where the lord of Vlkov marries a much younger Lenora. His son Ondřej presents Lenora with live bats as a wedding gift, a gesture that enrages his father and nearly costs him his life. He prays for his son’s survival and vows to God that he will surrender Ondřej to the Teutonic Order if he lives. Miraculously, Ondřej is healed and sent to the Baltic Sea, where he joins the order and begins a journey that will test his faith, loyalty, and humanity. He befriends Armin, a seasoned warrior who becomes his mentor and protector; Armin is depicted as a devout and fanatical crusader, deeply committed to God and the crusading cause.
Full summary
The whole story of The Valley of the Bees, scene by scene
The Valley of the Bees Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Valley of the Bees.
How Well Do You Know The Valley of the Bees?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What unusual wedding gift did Ondřej present to Lenora?
Seen The Valley of the Bees?
Movies Like The Valley of the Bees
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Wild Bees, The Valley and The Beekeeper.
The Valley of the Bees FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of The Valley of the Bees, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Valley of the Bees?
The Valley of the Bees runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).
When was The Valley of the Bees released?
The Valley of the Bees was released on May 17, 1968.
Who directed The Valley of the Bees?
The Valley of the Bees was directed by František Vláčil.
More films by František Vláčil Who is in the cast of The Valley of the Bees?
The Valley of the Bees stars Zdeněk Řehoř as Teutonic Knight by Ondřej's Cell (voice), Jan Kačer as Armin von Heide and Věra Galatíková as Lenora, among 32 credited actors.
Does The Valley of the Bees have a post-credit scene?
No. The Valley of the Bees has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Valley of the Bees in?
The original language of The Valley of the Bees is Czech.
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