Advent isn’t just about fairy lights, gifts, and Christmas cookies — it’s also the perfect time for magical stories and cinematic wonders that awaken our imagination.
And when it comes to fantasy that defies time and gravity, Karel Zeman is a true master. A legend of Czech cinema, often called “the Czech Méliès,” he created worlds where dreams and reality blend seamlessly into pure movie magic.
Now, one of his most enchanting works returns in breathtaking quality: the newly remastered edition of The Stolen Airship (Ukradená vzducholoď).
A Journey Across the Sky and the Imagination
Originally released in 1966, The Stolen Airship is a cinematic marvel inspired by Jules Verne’s novels Two Years’ Vacation and Robur the Conqueror.
Set during the 1891 Prague Jubilee Exhibition, the film follows five young boys who accidentally take off in an experimental airship.
What begins as a playful adventure quickly turns into a journey across Europe — and eventually, to a mysterious island filled with danger, wonder, and discovery. 
Karel Zeman’s visual storytelling is unlike anything else in cinema.
He masterfully combines live-action footage, hand-drawn animation, paper miniatures, and ingenious optical tricks, creating a dreamlike blend of science fiction and art.
Every frame feels like a living painting — whimsical, poetic, and endlessly inventive.
Even today, decades later, the film still captures the spirit of youthful curiosity and the courage to dream beyond the horizon. 🌍 
A True Treasure Restored for the Holidays
The new digitally remastered edition brings back Zeman’s world in stunning clarity — with sharp visuals, rich textures, and beautifully restored sound by composer Luboš Fišer.
But what truly makes this release special is its range of subtitles: Czech, English, French, and German.
In a time when many restorations omit subtitles, this edition stands out as a small Christmas miracle for film lovers worldwide. 
Karel Zeman – The Magician of Czech Cinema
From Journey to the Beginning of Time - Cesta do pravěku to The Fabulous World of Jules Verne - Vynález zkázy and Baron Munchausen - Baron Prášil , Zeman’s work remains a testament to the power of imagination.
His films remind us that fantasy has no limits, and that wonder belongs to all generations. 
That’s why The Stolen Airship fits perfectly into the Advent season — a story about courage, dreams, and the belief that magic still exists.
So this winter, as snow falls outside your window, step aboard Zeman’s fantastical airship and let it carry you to a world where anything is possible.
