Václav Vorlíček’s The Prince and the Evening Star (Czech: Princ a Večernice) is a movie from 1978, which is based on the fairytale O Měsíčníku, Slunečníku a Větrníku by Božena Němcová.The story follows prince Velen who has fallen in love with the Evening Star. But in order to marry her he has to overcome the evil wizard Makromor, as well as his own immaturity.
Tropes include
- Be Careful What You Wish For: Velen wishes to find a suitor for each off his sisters. He does, but quickly regrets that wish when his father starts berating him for marrying his sisters off to some weird men that they know nothing about.
- Damsel in Distress: The Evening Star after she gets kidnapped by Makromor.
- Double In-Law Marriage: Quadruple in-law marriage in fact.
- Distressed Dude: Velen often finds himself in this position, though his pride hinders him from admitting to it.
- Earn Your Happy Ending: After Velen spends the first half of the movie royally fucking things up, he has to work extra hard to get his happily ever after.
- Evil Sorcerer: Makromor.
- Happily Ever After: Velen and his brothers-in-law defeat Makromor, and Velen eventually gets to marry his beloved Evening Star.
- Love at First Sight: Between Velen and the Evening Star, and between the princesses and their suitors as well.
- Old Beggar Test: Part of the secret test of character that Velen’s brothers-in-law arrange for him, is that he has to help an old beggar.
- The Quest: Velen sets out on a quest to find his sisters, and later again to save the Evening Star.
- Rescue Romance: Although the romance between Velen and the Evening Star had begun before she needed saving, the rescue still plays a big part in establishing their relationship.
- Rule of Three: Three sisters and three brothers.
- Save the Princess: Or save the Evening Star rather. Turns out the actual princesses need very little saving.
- Secret Test of Character: Velen is confronted by quite a few of these.
