The series King of Sumava directed by David Ondříček promised an interesting look at the legendary smuggler Josef Hasil and the Sumava borderlands in the 1950s. Unfortunately, however, it failed to live up to the high expectations that the topic entailed. Although the visuals and atmosphere feel very authentic, the script and lead actor's performance fall far short.
First Episode: Promising Beginning, but Weak Main Character
The series first introduces us to the main character, a young border guard named Josef Hasil (Oskar Hes), who gradually makes his way to the other side of the barricade and begins helping emigrants cross the border into Germany. Story-wise, the opening episode is interesting, providing a solid foundation for the future plot and showing the beauty and harshness of the Sumava borderlands. David Ondříček's direction is hilarious in this regard, and visually the series has nothing to be ashamed of.
What unfortunately brings down the quality of the first episode considerably, however, is the main character as played by Oskar Hes. While the supporting roles are cast with more experienced actors who portray their characters convincingly, Hes comes across as uninteresting in the lead role and his performance fails to carry the series. The character of Josef Hasil should be charismatic and convincing, but unfortunately remains rather flat and bland. Instead of a hero, we watch a rather confused young man whose motivations are not very well drawn. The first episode is thus a decent start, but with significant flaws. Rating: 70 %
Second Episode: More Action, But Less Depth
The second episode brings the expected increase in tension and action - the first casualties, shootouts and dramatic scenes at the border appear. Here the series finally begins to pick up the pace and the plot gains momentum. Unfortunately, however, we still don't learn anything essential about the main characters. There is a lack of deeper psychological insight that would help the viewer better understand why each character makes the choices they do.
The main problem is that the series does not use its potential to really explore the historical context or the psychology of the main character. Instead, the plot is often reduced to a simple "run-hide-shoot" scheme, which feels somewhat repetitive. Still, the supporting actors (especially the border guards) do a better job than the protagonist. Oskar Hes tries his best, but his performance remains lackluster. Rating. This is somewhat disappointing as the series was presented as a closed story. Thus, the viewer is waiting for a denouement that will not come in the end.
The main storyline in the last episode focuses on Hasil's wedding, his other smuggling activities, and his conflict with the head of the Border Guard. Unfortunately, the series slips into oversimplification here - Hasil crosses the border without much trouble, his amorous escapades are presented somewhat superficially, and the dramatic moments don't feel as suspenseful as they should. In addition, the script contains several illogical simplifications that weaken the overall impression.
As a result, the show's conclusion feels awkward. Instead of a clear ending, we get an open ending that is not satisfying enough. If the creators had decided to treat the series as a two-hour film, the result could have been much better - the story would have been more compact and would have been rid of unnecessary scenes and plot digressions. Rating. But unfortunately it fails where it counts the most - in the main character and the script. The story of Josef Hasil had the potential to become a thrilling drama with historical overtones, but instead we get a rather mediocre action spectacle that unnecessarily stretches the plot and does not give the viewer enough information about the main character.
If you like historical dramas with visually appealing treatments, The King of Sumava may appeal to you. But if you're looking for a deep and sophisticated story, you'll probably be disappointed. Overall ratings range between 40-70 %, with each episode delivering a different quality of experience.
