What Is Give the Devil His Due About?
The premise of Give the Devil His Due in 307 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a land where the ordinary rhythms of village life coexist with the shadowy machinations of the infernal realm, the atmosphere hums with a blend of rustic charm and unsettling otherworldliness. The world feels both grounded in earthy traditions—mills turning, families striving—and tinged with the flicker of unseen forces that shape destinies behind the veil of everyday chores. This uneasy coexistence creates a tone that is simultaneously gritty and subtly fantastical, inviting the audience to wonder what lurks just beyond the soot‑stained windows of the mill.
At the heart of the story is the relentless Dorota, a woman whose ambition eclipses any sense of mercy. Having seized control of a once‑family‑run mill, she drives a painful wedge between herself and her stepson, setting the stage for a clash of wills that reverberates through the community. Her presence is a catalyst, unsettling the fragile balance of the village and drawing the attention of forces far darker than any mortal authority.
Thrown into this maelstrom is the resilient Peter, a young man forced to navigate the fallout of Dorota’s ruthless pursuit of power. Gifted—or perhaps burdened—with a magical mantle, he becomes an unexpected focal point for both earthly and infernal interests. The mantle’s subtle shimmer hints at latent abilities that could tip the scales, making Peter a figure of both hope and peril as he grapples with his new role.
Hovering above the mortal struggle is the enigmatic Lucifer, who dispatches the inexperienced chort Janek to collect the wayward soul of Dorota. As Janek finds himself entangled with Peter and the mortal world, the uneasy partnership hints at a larger, chaotic ripple within Hell itself, now restless for order. The looming interest of the Prince of Hell adds an extra layer of intrigue, suggesting that the resolution of this mortal‑infernal tug‑of‑war may reshape the very fabric of both realms.
What Happens in Give the Devil His Due?
The complete story of Give the Devil His Due, from the first scene to the last, in 463 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Petr Máchal, Vladimír Dlouhý, finds his world tilting when his father marries Dorota, and Dorota dies soon after, leaving her scheming heart fixed on getting rid of him. She leverages her courtship to the Governor to have Petr arrested, setting a troubling chain of events in motion. In the midst of this turmoil, Petr crosses paths with the Count’s daughters, Angelína and Adélka, Dana Bartůňková and Monika Pelcová, and a hopeful yet complicated romance begins: Angelína is not drawn to a poor young man, while Adélka grows fond of Petr and becomes his steadfast ally. The contrast between social pressure and genuine affection threads through the story, giving Petr both desire and danger to navigate.
Petr’s fortunes take a harsher turn when he is conscripted into the army and subjected to bullying by the Corporal. Meanwhile, Janek, an inexperienced chort, is sent to guide Dorota to Hell but accidentally abducts Petr’s grandmother instead. Lucipher, angered by the error, orders Janek to fix the mistake. The mix-up deepens when Janek joins the army and loses his supernatural powers after soldiers burn his wolf’s tail. He befriends Petr, and the two form a bond that reshapes their fates. To restore his powers, Janek receives a new wolf’s tail, and together they escape the army, abduct Dorota, and haul her toward Hell.
In Hell, Petr works under Lucipher, who eventually decides to release him and grant three wishes. Petr’s desires are simple yet transformative: a magic coat that can conjure golden ducats, the freedom of his grandmother, and permission to take the Corporal to Hell. Lucipher agrees but also wants Janek to bring along the Governor. The coat alters Petr’s appearance and, with newfound generosity, he begins distributing money to those in need, drawing attention and sympathy from many. This act helps him lure the Governor and the Corporal to Janek, who escorts them to Hell.
Back on the earthly side, the Count also seeks relief for his broke principality and comes forward with his own plea for money. Petr agrees, but only on the condition that he may marry the Count’s daughter. The Count consents, yet Angelína is unhappy at first, feeling Petr looks like a beggar, while Adélka recognizes Petr’s true worth and happily agrees to the arrangement. Petr uses his wishes, retrieves as much ducats as he wants, and then discards the magical coat as the charm fades away. He travels to the Duke’s castle as an elegant suitor to request Adélka’s hand in marriage, but Angelína’s initial misgivings give way to a changed heart, and she expresses interest as well. Petr, however, clarifies that his chosen wife is Adélka, and the couple seals their union. In a fateful twist, Angelína’s own path intersects with Lucipher, and she ends up marrying him unknowingly.
Give the Devil His Due Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Petr's father marries Dorota; Dorota's plot begins” to “Petr asks for Adélka's hand; Angelína changes her mind; Petr marries Adélka”. 8 events name a place, across 6 locations.
- 1
Petr's father marries Dorota; Dorota's plot begins
Petr's father marries Dorota, and soon afterward dies, leaving Petr under Dorota's influence. Dorota immediately starts plotting to get rid of Petr and secure control over his future.
When:shortly after his father's death
- 2
Dorota manipulates the Governor to arrest Petr
Dorota leverages her courtship to the Governor to push for Petr's arrest. The scheme aims to remove Petr from Dorota's path and consolidate her power.
When:early aftermath Where:Governor's court
- 3
Petr escapes and meets Angelína and Adélka
Petr escapes the arrest attempt and crosses paths with the Count's daughters, Angelína and Adélka. Angelína wants nothing to do with a poor boy, while Adélka falls in love with him and vows to help.
When:immediately after escape
- 4
Petr is forced into the army; bullied by the Corporal
Petr is drafted into military service and quickly becomes the target of the Corporal's bullying. He struggles to survive, hoping for a chance to prove himself.
When:shortly after joining Where:Army barracks
- 5
Janek is sent to take Dorota to Hell; mistaking Petr's grandmother
An inexperienced chort named Janek is ordered to escort Dorota to Hell. In a mix-up, he accidentally takes Petr's grandmother instead.
When:around the Dorota assignment
- 6
Lucipher demands correction; Janek joins the army and loses his tail
Lucipher angrily orders Janek to fix the mistake. In the process, Janek inadvertently joins the army and loses his magical wolf's tail when soldiers burn it.
When:during the correction attempt Where:Army camp
- 7
Petr befriends Janek and plans to help restore his powers
Petr meets Janek and they become allies amid their troubles. He vows to help Janek regain his lost powers and freedom.
When:after Janek's recruitment
- 8
Petr and Janek escape and abduct Dorota to Hell
Petr and Janek escape from the army and abduct Dorota, dragging her toward Hell. The act marks a turning point toward the magical realm's influence on their fate.
When:after Janek's join
- 9
Petr works in Hell; Lucipher grants release after three wishes
Petr serves in Hell, performing tasks under Lucipher's watch. Lucipher agrees to release him only after Petr grants three wishes.
When:during confinement Where:Hell
- 10
Petr's three wishes: gold-ducat coat, grandmother's release, and taking the Corporal to Hell
Lucipher grants the three wishes: a magic coat that produces golden ducats, the release of Petr's grandmother, and permission to take the Corporal to Hell. The coat also changes Petr's appearance, drawing attention wherever he goes.
When:after release Where:Hell
Show the other 4 events of Give the Devil His Due Hide the last 4 events
- 11
The coat’s wealth enables Petr to lure the Governor and the Corporal
The coat's wealth and the aura of generosity let Petr distribute money to people in need. This ruse helps him draw the Governor and the Corporal toward Janek, who then escorts them to Hell.
When:following the wishes
- 12
The Count seeks money; Petr negotiates marriage to his daughter
The Count's principality is broke, so he asks Petr for money. Petr agrees to help only if the Count allows him to marry the Count's daughter.
When:after the money plan Where:Count's castle
- 13
Angelína's feelings change; Adélka's recognition solidifies the match
The arrangement creates tension: Angelína initially dislikes Petr, but Adélka recognizes him and happily accepts. The Count approves the match, though Angelína's feelings complicate the situation.
When:before engagements Where:Count's castle
- 14
Petr asks for Adélka's hand; Angelína changes her mind; Petr marries Adélka
Petr travels to the Duke's castle as an elegant gentleman to seek Adélka's hand, while Angelína initially seems set on him. He declines her bid to marry him and confirms Adélka's hand instead. Petr then marries Adélka, and Angelína unknowingly marries Lucipher.
When:final engagement and wedding Where:Duke's castle
Who Are the Main Characters in Give the Devil His Due?
8 characters, among them Petr Máchal, Dorota Máchalová and Angelína: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- PM
Petr Máchal
Played by Vladimír Dlouhý
A poor, ambitious young man who falls for noble daughters and navigates a web of schemes. He uses and ultimately questions the magic coat that brings wealth and social attention, while forming an unlikely alliance with Janek to reclaim his dignity. His choices drive the romance with Adéla and the plan to bring the Governor and the Corporal to Hell.
- 💰 Wealth
- ❤️ Love
- 🎭 Ambition
- DM
Dorota Máchalová
Played by Jaroslava Kretschmerová
Petr's stepmother who schemes to move the family up by courting the Governor and having Petr arrested. She embodies manipulation and a ruthless pursuit of power, pushing events toward chaos and the eventual abduction of Dorota to Hell.
- 🎭 Manipulation
- 💥 Scheming
- 🗡️ Power plays
- A
Angelína
Played by Dana Bartůňková
One of the Count's daughters who shows limited interest in Petr; her aloofness contrasts with Adéla's genuine affection. She remains part of the court intrigue and becomes involved in the final twists of Petr's fortune.
- ❤️ Love
- 👑 Court intrigue
- A
Adéla
Played by Monika Pelcová
Princess Adéla falls for Petr and ultimately becomes his wife, representing a more sincere path to love amid political machinations. She plays a crucial role in Petr's happiness and the story's romantic outcomes.
- ❤️ Love
- 🌹 Loyalty
- LX
Lucifer XIV
Played by Karel Heřmánek
Prince of Hell who manipulates events from the shadows, granting Petr three wishes and arranging for Janek to escort the Governor to Hell. His schemes culminate in a twist where identities and fates intersect at the gates of Hell.
- 🔥 Villainy
- 🪄 Magic
- J
Janek
Played by Ondřej Vetchý
An inexperienced chort assigned to escort Dorota to Hell. He loses his powers when his wolf's tail is burned by soldiers, befriends Petr, and helps in the plan to recover his magic.
- 🗝️ Transformation
- 🐺 Fantasy
- C
Corporal
Played by Petr Nárožný
The harsh army bully who mistreats Petr and embodies the brutal, coercive side of military life in this fairy-tale world.
- ⚔️ Military life
- 🪖 Bullying
- N
Narrator
Played by Luděk Munzar
The film's voice guide, providing exposition and commentary that frames the fantastical events.
- 🎤 Voiceover
- 🧭 Narrative
Where and When Is Give the Devil His Due Set?
Give the Devil His Due is set in Count's Principality, Duke's Castle, Hell and Military Camp (Medieval fantasy era). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Medieval fantasy era
The action sits in a timeless, fairy-tale past reminiscent of medieval kingdoms, with nobles, soldiers, and magical powers. Rulers, courtiers, and infernal beings populate the world, creating a mythic cadence rather than a precise historical date. The setting relies on archetypal chivalric and folk-tale elements, enabling magical reversals and dramatic turns. The time frame is flexible to serve a fairy-tale narrative rather than a specific century.
Where
Count's Principality, Duke's Castle, Hell, Military Camp
The film unfolds in a fictional medieval-inspired realm that blends royal courts with a supernatural underworld. The Count's principality and the Duke's castle provide opulent settings for political maneuvering and romantic intrigues, while a harsh military camp grounds Petr's early hardship. Hell serves as a surreal, otherworldly backdrop where Dorota's scheming and Janek's accidental missteps collide with Lucifer's schemes. The story moves between these high and low places, emphasizing class contrasts and fantastical consequences.
- 🏰 Fantasy realm
- 🔥 Hellish underworld
- 🗺️ Medieval setting
What Are the Themes of Give the Devil His Due?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Wealth & Status, Love & Loyalty and Power & Consequences.
-
01
Wealth & Status
Petr's fortunes shift dramatically when a magical coat conjures gold and attention from the nobility. Wealth becomes a means to bridge social gaps, but it also complicates relationships and identity, as Petr navigates courtship and public perception. The coat's glittery power enables him to maneuver the Count's world, only to reveal that true status is tied to character, not fabric or fortune. When the coat disappears, Petr must decide what kind of man he has become.
-
02
Love & Loyalty
The two daughters of the Count embody competing paths of affection: Angelína coldly resists Petr while Adélka falls for him and supports his arc. Love drives Petr to act, whether to win Adélka's hand or to protect those who helped him, even as social appearances threaten to derail their bonds. The relationships test loyalty, social class, and the consequences of desire in a fantastical setting. Ultimately, love guides Petr's choices and shapes the outcome of who marries whom.
-
03
Power & Consequences
The plot centers on the lure of power: magical wealth, social influence, and the supernatural bargains with Lucifer. Janek loses his powers when his wolf's tail is burned, illustrating how power can be fragile and costly. Petr's manipulation of fate—through the coat and the unfolding plan to send souls to Hell—poses ethical questions about ambition and control. The resolution hinges on whether power can be used responsibly or simply exploited for personal gain.
What Kind of Film Is Give the Devil His Due?
Whimsical in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Whimsical
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A whimsical and playful Czech fantasy that mixes a classic deal-with-the-devil story with a hopeful romance and mischievous supernatural antics, creating a charmingly light-hearted fairy tale atmosphere.
- whimsical
- playful
- hopeful
- fantastical
- mischievous
- romantic
- deal with the devil
- fairy tale
- stepfamily conflict
- social class
Content notes: murder, parental death.
Quiz
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