Murder in Polná
An exciting drama from a detective history. In 1899 a dead girl - seamstress Anežka Hrůzová - was found between the village of Věžnička and the town of Polná. She was 19 and she had a cutting wound on the throat. There was no sexual violence involved and since the local doctors thought that there was not enough blood on the crime scene, everyone jumped to the conclusion that Jews must have killed her and added her blood to their passover matzot. There was a potential murderer at hand too - a cheeky, not very bright young Jewish rover, Leopold Hilsner…
Insights
Plot Summary
This documentary delves into the infamous Polná ritual murder case of 1899, which led to the wrongful conviction of Leopold Hilsner. It meticulously reconstructs the events, the ensuing antisemitic hysteria, and the prolonged legal battle. The film examines how the case became a symbol of injustice and anti-Jewish prejudice in Bohemia.
Critical Reception
Murder in Polná was critically acclaimed for its thorough research and its powerful examination of historical injustice and antisemitism. Reviewers praised its ability to bring a complex historical event to life and its relevance to contemporary issues of prejudice and scapegoating.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its meticulous historical research and engaging narrative.
- Lauded for its examination of a significant miscarriage of justice and its historical context.
- Acknowledged for its relevance in discussing prejudice and scapegoating.
Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's profound impact and its detailed exploration of a disturbing historical event.
Awards & Accolades
Nominated for the Magnesia Litera award for Journalism.
Fun Fact
The case of Leopold Hilsner was so controversial that it even drew the attention of future president Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, who defended Hilsner and publicly questioned the verdict.
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