26 mins | Short, Animated, Christmas, Family, Short | 1996
Wenceslas was indeed a good King, chosen by his people and famed for his kindness, particularly at Christmas. One Christmas night whilst out walking in the thick snow and delivering gifts, the King meets a poor man, but little does he know what lies in store...
Director: Keith Scoble
Writers: John Broadhead, Joyce McAleer, Chris Randall, Keith Scoble
Stars: Bing Crosby
Wenceslas was indeed a good King, chosen by his people and famed for his kindness, particularly at Christmas. One Christmas night whilst out walking in the thick snow and delivering gifts, the King meets a poor man, but little does he know what lies in store...
Director: Keith Scoble
Writers: John Broadhead, Joyce McAleer, Chris Randall, Keith Scoble
Stars: Bing Crosby
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen When the snow lay round about,
00:16deep and crisp and even Brightly shone the moon that night, though
00:23the frost was cruel, When a poor man came inside,
00:29Gathering winter fuel.
00:33Sir, he lives a goodly kins Underneath a mountain,
00:41Right against a forest fence By St. Agnes' fountain.
00:50Boxing Day in Bohemia, many, many years ago.
00:56A cold, harsh place to live in wintertime.
01:01Just look at that poor man.
01:02It's the Feast of Stephen, the palace is full of food and cheer, yet he has to scavenge
01:07in the snow.
01:08Who is he, Stephen?
01:11His name I know not, sir, but his home, such as it is, lies at the foot of the mountains.
01:19Tonight our hungry, cold friend shall eat and drink to his heart's content.
01:24Have my coach loaded with a cask of wine and a table full of gourmet food, we're off to
01:28the mountains.
01:29But, but, but, but, but, but your guests, sir.
01:32Oh, they can see me any time.
01:34But, but, but, but you've given the servants the night off, there's no driver for the coach.
01:40Oh, very well, we'll go on foot.
01:43But, but, but, but, but.
01:45Oh, do cheer up, Stephen, it's Christmas.
01:48Oh.
01:50King Wenceslas was as good as his word.
01:53Soon, he and his faithful page, Stephen, stole silently out of the palace.
01:59With respect, this really is too bad, sire.
02:05Imagine if your subjects were to see their monarch out on a delivery round.
02:11Oh, stuff and nonsense, who'd recognize me dressed like this?
02:14Hey, that's the king.
02:16Good evening, sire, and Merry Christmas.
02:19The king.
02:22Can't be.
02:23Carry him food and drink.
02:25Here, page, where are you going on a night like this?
02:29I am assisting the king in carrying sustenance to the old man at the foot of the mountain.
02:36What?
02:37What a king.
02:38Ha, ha, a fool more like.
02:41If he is a fool, he's a fool who cares too much.
02:44Bless him.
02:46Page and monarch forth they went, forth they went together,
02:52through the rude winds, wild lament, and the bitter weather.
03:01Wenceslas was a popular king.
03:05As a child, he was brought up by his devoted grandma, Ludmilla.
03:10For his mother, Drahomira, the queen of Bohemia, was a greedy, wasteful tyrant,
03:16and had little time for him.
03:18To her, he was just too, well, good.
03:26Bring the prisoner before me.
03:29So, this is the wretch who steals my animals, eh?
03:35The young peasant boy had been caught hunting in the royal forests.
03:39If you please, madam.
03:41My brothers and sisters, my mother and father are starving.
03:46Ha, hunting in my forests is for sport, not food.
03:52Perhaps we should roast you in the palace kitchen
03:55and send you home for your miserable family to eat.
04:00A punishment to fit the crime.
04:04Take him out, give him a head start, and then hunt him down like an animal.
04:10And, if you're lucky enough to escape, don't show your face in my kingdom again.
04:18But mother...
04:19Hold your tongue, fool, unless you care to join this oaf.
04:22Take him away.
04:24Mercy, mercy, no, please.
04:27Mercy.
04:35Who is it?
04:38Oh no, the axe man.
04:42They're going to chop off my head.
04:45Help!
04:47Shh, shh, shh.
04:55It's only me.
04:57No one should be hunted down like an animal.
05:00It's only me.
05:02No one should be hunted down like an animal.
05:05Now go, take care, and take this food.
05:10Bless you, sire.
05:19In the months that followed, the queen's behaviour grew worse,
05:24and the people of Bohemia became very restless.
05:28Cold, hungry, and penniless,
05:31they resented seeing their ruler wasting money on fine jewellery, new clothes, and extravagant banquets.
05:42Is it not a magnificent coat, Wenceslas?
05:46Yes, mother.
05:47But which colour?
05:49Maybe I should just take them all.
05:52It's about time you treated yourself to something new.
05:59Move past if you want to keep your head.
06:09Smart, eh, Gregor? What do you want?
06:12Your Majesty, I think you should know there's yet another angry mob at the gates.
06:18Is that all?
06:20You interrupt me at a time like this, talking peasants?
06:25Talking peasants?
06:27Don't even pack your bags. Get out of my palace, now!
06:33Of course, ma'am.
06:35But Gregor has been your loyal servant for over twenty years.
06:47What racket!
06:50Keep the noise down, or you'll have me to answer to!
06:54Mother, I think we're in serious trouble.
06:58How can we be? We're the royal family.
07:05A mob has just broken through the palace gates.
07:07Well, they'd better not come up here.
07:13Quacker.
07:20We speak for the people of Bohemia, and we can stand your tyrannical rule no longer.
07:26We are taking control of your kingdom.
07:29How dare you!
07:31I request you to surrender.
07:34This is treason! And what do you plan to do with us, exactly?
07:40That is for the people to decide.
07:42Of course.
07:44Now, will you gentlemen join me in a final drink before you take me away?
07:51No, thank you.
07:52Oh, come on.
07:56No!
08:13Poison!
08:15This way, Mother.
08:16Hey, you're spilling my drink!
08:22I'm impressed with you, Wenceslas. For the first time in my life.
08:27But where are we? How did you know about this place?
08:31Grandma Lord Miller showed it to me years ago.
08:33Oh, her.
08:36I wish I'd had time to bring Trudy with us.
08:38So, it was either me or the dog.
08:41Exactly, Mother.
08:47We'd better move. Faster.
08:49Oh, this dirty hole is playing havoc with my clothes.
08:56I'll need a new wardrobe when this is over.
08:59Hurry. The revolutionaries are coming.
09:02Do you know where we're going, Wenceslas?
09:04I think so. I used to play in here as a child.
09:07Oh, well, I wouldn't know anything about that.
09:12Here we are, Mother. It leads to the river. You go first.
09:16Give me a hand.
09:18Certainly.
09:23Are there spiders, Wenceslas?
09:28Are there spiders, Wenceslas?
09:32I hate them.
09:35Spiders are the least of our problems.
09:43Oh, it's getting wetter and wetter in here.
09:47Good. That means we're nearly there.
09:57I can't wait till I get my hands on those revolting peasants.
10:08No. But how?
10:12Gregor, you betrayed me?
10:18Of course, Mom.
10:22The Queen spent the next few days back in her palace,
10:26but now she remained firmly below stairs.
10:32Tea time, Your Highness.
10:34I don't eat slops. Bring me some real food.
10:40Someone's going to pay for this.
10:44Poor Wenceslas was a prisoner, too.
10:47But his sunny nature shone through, even in his desperate situation.
10:52There, my feathered friend. It's not much, but it's all I have for you.
10:58Food and drink for you, sire.
11:01Thank you, Eagle.
11:04I might have known.
11:07Where are you?
11:10We'll have a fine feast together.
11:13Tuck in.
11:15It saddened Eagle to see Wenceslas,
11:18a young man who had lost everything,
11:21yet found contentment in sharing his meagre rations
11:25with a humble prison rat.
11:30The next day, a people's meeting took place.
11:35The next day, a people's court was hastily set up,
11:39and Wenceslas and the Queen were brought before it.
11:43Order!
11:46Now we'll see.
11:48The good people of this court have carefully considered
11:51the Queen's behaviour towards her subjects
11:54and have judged that our royals are unfit to reign over us
11:58and are guilty as charged.
12:02Have you anything to say before I pronounce sentence upon you both?
12:09Well, I have plenty to say.
12:19Silence!
12:21You will return to your cells to await execution at dawn tomorrow.
12:27Eagle's heart sank.
12:30He knew the Queen deserved her sentence,
12:33but not the young prince.
12:35Long live the Republic!
12:37Long live the Republic!
12:39Long live the Republic!
12:41Long live the Republic!
12:43Long live the Republic!
12:56Shhh!
13:27What?
13:29Oh, Trudy!
13:31You found me.
13:33Good girl.
13:35Now, let's see if you're a clever girl.
13:38Look, Trudy.
13:40Keys.
13:42Fetch.
13:44Come on, girl. Fetch the keys.
13:51Oh.
13:57Keys, Trudy. Please.
14:05Good girl. Good girl.
14:08Careful now.
14:10Bring them to me, Trudy.
14:17Clever girl.
14:27Leave him, Wenceslas, you fool.
14:29Unlock my door.
14:31Wake up, Igor. Wake up.
14:33Idiot. Let him die.
14:38What happened?
14:42Sire?
14:44You were...
14:46You were...
14:48You were...
14:50You were...
14:52You were...
14:54Sire?
14:56You could have escaped,
14:58but you stayed to save me.
15:03Then allow me to help you in return.
15:10Now, with my old cloak,
15:12you'll have a sporting chance.
15:15Lock me in,
15:17and I'll give you five minutes before I raise the alarm.
15:20Good luck, sire.
15:23Oh, don't worry. I'll keep her safe.
15:26Bless you, Igor. All part of the service, sire.
15:32I'll never forget you, my friend.
15:36About time, too.
15:38Follow me, Mother.
15:39I just hope you know what you're doing.
15:44Taking the Queen for questioning.
15:46Prince Wenceslas?
15:50Don't you remember me?
15:52Of course.
15:54You're the lad caught hunting in my mother's forests.
15:56And you helped me escape.
15:58You did what, Wenceslas?
16:01So, now I can return your kindness.
16:05I won't raise the alarm.
16:07Good luck, sire.
16:09My mother and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
16:12Ha!
16:20Oh, dear.
16:22There's only one horse.
16:24So Wenceslas will have to find his own.
16:28Going somewhere, Your Highness?
16:31Don't you peasants ever sleep?
16:33Take her away.
16:50Here stands our ex-queen before you, guilty of tyranny as charged.
16:56And beside her, another guilty party.
17:00This man, having aided in her escape, is just as guilty.
17:06He's a traitor.
17:08He's a traitor.
17:10He's a traitor.
17:12He's a traitor.
17:14He's a traitor.
17:16This man, having aided in her escape, is just as evil as she is.
17:21No, he's not.
17:22What? Who said that?
17:24I did.
17:25It's Wenceslas.
17:27Yes, it's him you want, not me.
17:35You see before you a good man, a kind soul, a brave soul.
17:41My life may be over in Bohemia, but...
17:43No! No!
17:45I say Wenceslas should be our king.
17:50You can see he's a brave, kind and gentle fellow who has surrendered himself to save another.
17:58Is it any wonder that I had to let him escape?
18:02Choose him and you'll choose well.
18:06Wenceslas for king!
18:08Wenceslas for king!
18:10Wenceslas for king!
18:12Wenceslas for king!
18:14Wenceslas for king!
18:16Wenceslas for king!
18:18Will you do it?
18:20Well, yes, of course.
18:23Long live the king! Long live the king!
18:28Long live the king! Long live the king!
18:33Long live the king! Long live the king!
18:39Yes, my son and I will make a new start.
18:44There will be great celebrations everywhere.
18:47I'll need a whole new wardrobe of...
18:56You wretches!
18:58Well, aren't you going to punish them for me?
19:01No, Mother.
19:02You've done more than enough harm to our kingdom.
19:05You've done more than enough harm to our kingdom.
19:08The time has come for you to leave the people in peace.
19:11You're exiling me?
19:14Yes, if you want to put it that way, I am.
19:21Now, where's Igor?
19:36Wenceslas was duly crowned and ruled Bohemia in the way his people wanted.
19:42They couldn't have wished for a better king than good King Wenceslas.
19:48Long live the king! Long live the king!
19:53Long live the king! Long live the king!
19:58Long live the king! Long live the king!
20:04Long live the king!
20:35Not too far now, Stephan, hey?
20:39Thankfully not, sire.
20:49Begging your pardon, sire,
20:52perhaps you'd care to take a moment's respite with your load?
20:57Oh, I really am sorry.
21:02Oh, a rest you mean?
21:05Yes, Stephan, I could do with a break.
21:24Time to push on.
21:27Oh, yes, sire, but it won't be easy.
21:32The snow is getting deeper.
21:35Oh, don't worry, Stephan.
21:37I shall go first, making big footprints with my boots.
21:40You step in them. It'll be just like walking on hard ground.
21:44Oh, thank you, sire.
21:47In his master's steps he trod
21:50Where the snow lay dented
21:53It was in the very sod
21:56Which the saint had printed
22:00Therefore, Christian men, be sure
22:03Wealth or rank possessing
22:06Ye who will now bless the poor
22:10Shall yourselves find blessing
22:23Oh, I say, the old man's cottage at last.
22:31Oh, come in.
22:34Good evening.
22:35Good evening, and welcome to my humble home.
22:41Oh, you look half starved.
22:45Warm yourselves by the fire.
22:48It's a raw night to be travelling, friends.
22:52My table is meagre, but you're more than welcome to share what little there is.
22:58But...
22:59Now, now, I insist.
23:02Tuck in, lads.
23:04No need to feel guilty about eating.
23:11A merry Christmas to all of us.
23:16My good man, we really shouldn't be taking your food, you see.
23:21Nonsense, young fellow.
23:24And you're both welcome to shelter here overnight, if you wish.
23:29If you want to repay me,
23:32the big fellow here can chop up some logs for me.
23:36I'm getting a little too old, I'm afraid.
23:40But him?
23:43Chop logs?
23:46Do you know who he is?
23:49No, I'm afraid I don't.
23:53Although...
23:55Oh, yes.
24:02It is you.
24:04Thank you so much for the food and drink.
24:09All part of the service, sire.
24:15Igor!
24:18After all these years!
24:21It was truly a night of celebration.
24:24Even Stephen the Page made merry.
24:27Igor was invited to live at the palace.
24:30And, of course, he wanted for nothing for the rest of his life.
24:37Good King Wenceslas looked out
24:41On the feast of Stephen
24:44When the snow lay round about
24:47Deep and crisp and even
24:50Brightly shone the moon that night
24:54Though the frost was cruel
24:57When a poor man came inside
25:00Gathering with his friends
25:04In his master's steps he trod
25:07Where the snow lay dented
25:10It was in the very sod
25:14Which the saint had printed
25:17Therefore, Christian men, be sure
25:20While for rank possessing
25:23Ye who will now bless the Lord
25:27And the Lord be with you
25:31Ye who will now bless the poor
25:34Shall yourselves find blessing