THREE WISHES FOR CINDERELLA
This is the &lt;i&gt;definitive&lt;/i&gt; version of Cinderella
The title of this version actually translates as &lt;i&gt;Three Chestnuts for Cinderella&lt;/i&gt;, a reference to the three magic chestnuts that bring her three magical gifts, including the dress for the ball where the prince first notices her beauty.<br />In this version, Cinderella is no singing wallflower. Here, she's played more age-appropriate for the setting -- whereas the Disney version would have you see her as being in perhaps her early twenties, here we see Cinderella as a precocious teenager who hasn't outgrown a tomboyish streak.  She is a fireplug, full of guile and wit, who shows that she is quite capable of making a fool of the young prince, who in turn is portrayed as a typical teenager who would rather go hunting with his friends than attend to his lessons or host a ball.<br />The film stars Libuse Safrankova, who was absolutely lovely as Cinderella. If you are a fan of Czech films, you might remember a more grown up Safrankova in the Jiri Menzel film, &lt;i&gt;My Sweet Little Village&lt;/i&gt;, or as Zdenek Sverak's girlfriend in &lt;i&gt;Kolya&lt;/i&gt;. She is a fine actress, but I think that everyone who is familiar with her role as Cinderella has a special affection for her.<br />One of the other appealing aspects of this film is the music from Czech tenor Karel Gott. The music borders on the kitschy, but it never goes so far overboard as to leave a bad taste in your mouth. <br />I highly recommend it.