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Give the Devil His Due

Name: Give the Devil His Due
Director: Hynek Bočan
Released: 1985
Duration: 95 min

Representation Score

4.8/10

Fair

1985

Director

Hynek Bočan

Runtime

95 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Hynek Bočan’s fantasy uses folklore to explore the tension between individual ability to act and institutional authority. The film employs traditional archetypes, limiting its modern inclusivity but allowing for profound moral inquiry. While it lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or diverse racial backgrounds, the film excels in its cultural critique. It moves away from a rigid moral code to emphasize a more nuanced, character-driven ethics. Set in an 18th-century European context, the film focuses on the demographic realities of the time, using supernatural elements to question the Church's and military's absolute moral compass.

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Category Breakdown

Does Give the Devil His Due have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film adheres to traditional folklore and straight-centered family structures. It does not depict any non-cisgender identities or same-sex relationships.

How does Give the Devil His Due portray gender?

Fair

Dorota is a strong, though evil, antagonist who drives the plot through her defiance of domestic tranquility. She avoids fitting the passive character stereotype.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Give the Devil His Due?

Limited

The cast is uniform, reflecting the 18th-century European context. The production does not attempt to diversify casting or include characters from different racial backgrounds.

How does Give the Devil His Due represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative critiques religious dogma by contrasting superstition with personal choice. It portrays morality as subjective rather than dictated by institutions.

Does Give the Devil His Due include disability representation?

Fair

The film examines themes of possession and the tension between medical science and religious practices. This suggests a historical perspective on neurodivergence or mental instability.

Present on Screen

Offers a sophisticated critique of religious dogma and institutional authority.
Includes a proactive female antagonist who drives the central conflict.
Explores complex moral themes that go beyond simple religious binaries.

Limited or Absent

Does not represent LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender characters.
Maintains a homogeneous cast reflective of 18th-century European demographics.
Relies heavily on traditional, often formulaic, gender archetypes.

Official Synopsis

Dorota, a bad woman married the miller, out of sheer greed drives him to death. She then took the mill away from his son Peter and threw him out of the hime. Lucifer, who is known to rule in hell, sends out the devil Janek. He is supposed to fetch Dorota because the measure of her earthly sins is overflowing. But the devil himself can not handle this evil woman and flees to the military. There he meets Peter. By joining forces, they finally succeed in transporting the wicked Dorota to hell. Since then hell is hell. But for Peter, who is suddenly in possession of a magic mantle, begins a nice time, because strangely, the prince shows great interest in him.

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