Jiri Trnka: Puppet Master Limited Slipcase Edition

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Jiri Trnka: Puppet Master Limited Slipcase Edition

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Published 11 June 2026 • Start discussion

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Jiri Trnka: Puppet Master Limited Slipcase Edition is an upcoming Blu-ray release from Second Run, celebrating the enduring legacy of legendary Czech animator Jiri Trnka. Limited to just 2,000 copies, the two-disc edition brings together two of his most acclaimed feature-length works, Old Czech Legends (1953) and The Czech Year (1947), both presented from new 4K restorations by the Czech National Film Archive.

Features

Two-disc Limited Slipcase Edition of 2,000 copies
Old Czech Legends (Stare povesti ceske, 1953) and The Czech Year (Spalicek, 1947) presented from 4K restorations by the Czech National Film Archive
Michael Brooke on Jiri Trnka and Czech animation: A new and expansive video essay
Introductions to both films
The Puppets of Jiri Trnka documentary
Archival Czech newsreels on Trnka
The Hand (Ruka, 1965): Trnka’s renowned animated short film
Badly Painted Hen (Spatne namalovana slepice, 1963): the acclaimed animated short film by co-writer of Old Czech Legends and regular Trnka collaborator, Jirí Brdecka
Trailers
Booklet with writing by experts on Czechoslovak cinema Peter Hames and Jonathan Owen
New and improved English subtitle translations

Details

Studio: Second Run

Director: Jiri Trnka

Run Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes

Number of Discs: 2

Release Date: July 27, 2026

Where to buy

Bluray Jiri Trnka: Puppet Master Limited Slipcase Edition

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£29.99

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Official description

Czech artist Jiri Trnka (1912–1969) is the internationally revered master of puppet animation, often dubbed ‘the European Walt Disney’. Painter, illustrator, designer, and author of fantastic tales, Trnka came from a family of toymakers and the era of marionette theatre, and in his films created magical worlds with his sets, costumes and puppets. Often borrowing from Czechoslovak folklore while inventing novel techniques in stop-motion cinematography, many of his films use allegory to produce political satire, often evoking the ire of State censors.

This set brings together two of Trnka’s most beloved and intricate works – his breathtaking collection of Bohemian myths Old Czech Legends (1953) and his hymn to the Czech land, history, and people, The Czech Year (1947). These epic animation spectacles combine elaborate camera work, design, and puppetry with magical storytelling and casts of delightfully fanciful creations.