Fun fact: Multiple sources suggest that Carola Braunbock, who played the wicked stepmother, lived in Germany but could in fact speak perfect Czech. This meant that she understood all the conversations and comments made on set – something the Czech members of the film crew only found out after they had finished filming. She didn’t let on that she could understand them.
An international hit thanks to dubbing
While they were filming, the actors mainly spoke in their own language or learned a few Czech sentences off by heart. Their dialogues were then dubbed for the particular country version. Even Pavel Trávníček, who played the prince, was dubbed for the Czech version because the director was not enamoured of his strong Moravian accent.
Incidentally, the original film title is “Tři oříšky pro Popelku” and it was filmed both in West and East Germany, as well as in what was then Czechoslovakia. Today, “Cinderella” does not just have a large fan base in Switzerland – the film is also highly regarded in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and Norway. There was even a remake of the film in Norway in 2021 (original title:
Tre nøtter til Askepott).
Cinderella is a pioneer
Regardless of the language and country and as antiquated as the story, or rather fairy tale, seems today in terms of its basic plot (a prince is looking for a wife, spurns all the ladies presented to him from noble families and then falls in love with Cinderella), the role of Cinderella was quite progressive for its time. The film classic, which is watched in many countries at Christmas, is based on a fairy tale written by Božena Němcová between 1842 and 1845. It is a modified version of “Cinderella” by the Brothers Grimm. The author was very progressive for the middle of the 19th century, something that can be seen in her fairy tale. Her Cinderella is wilful and confident. She fearlessly gives the prince and his hunting companions the runaround.
Music that gets under your skin
Part of the film’s magic is without doubt the music. The first notes alone give fans goosebumps and there are many people who would probably recognise lots of the pieces even if they don’t know where from. However, there is a difference between the film versions shown in the various countries. Rumour has it that the music as such was written in just a few hours by composer Karel Svoboda. But whereas famous singer Karel Gott sings in the Czech version, the German version only has instrumental music. This is because the German editor didn’t like the song lyrics.
A story that brings people together
Goosebump moments and Christmas spirit, letting yourself be whisked away to the time of the prince, the soon-to-be princess and the fantastic fairy tale castle… The magic of the film possibly arises not in spite of but precisely because of the different cultures, nations and languages, because of all the different people who came together to create “Three Wishes for Cinderella”. After all, the fascination has continued for more than 50 years (what is now a classic film was shown for the first time in 1973) and the film connects people across borders.
And maybe that is why Cinderella is such a good choice for the festive season. Perhaps it was a stroke of luck that the film studios were all booked up that summer and that “Three Wishes for Cinderella” ended up being filmed in winter (with artificial snow)? Possibly! Either way, we certainly hope you enjoy this film classic and its unifying and touching message which works whatever the language.
