This atmospheric period drama is a bitter 'romance' which centres on the tragic marriage between two cousins: Štěpa (the fabulous Iva Janžurová), a vivacious, modern-minded, wealthy young woman, but who is desperately seeking love and happiness; and Pavel (Petr Čepek), an arrogant, selfish, retired army officer weighed down by debt, cynicism, and syphilis.
Herz’s lavish Oil Lamps evokes a pungent atmosphere of decay and features superb performances by its two leads, gorgeous costume and set design, stunning cinematography, and a wonderful Luboš Fišer score.
Blu-ray special features:
• Oil Lamps (Petrolejove lampy, 1971) presented from a new 4K restoration by the Czech National Film Archive.
• A Projection Booth commentary with film historians Mike White, Kat Ellinger and Jonathan Owen.
• Conversation on a Train (Rozhovor ve vlaku, 1947): An early short Czech public information film on the perils of alcohol and STDs.
• Trailer.
• Booklet with new writing on the film by author and Czech cinema expert Peter Hames.
• New English subtitle translation.
• World premiere on Blu-ray.
• Region Free (A/B/C) Blu-ray.