Cesta do pekla a zpátky

Even a small child knows that people go to hell for their bad deeds—especially if the devils are targeting evil, envious, exploitative, greedy, and lazy people... Of course, everyone thinks that this applies to everyone else, that they themselves are not really that bad, and, most importantly, that they have plenty of time to improve. Of course, the desire to improve is the first step in the right direction, but Vašek, the hero of our fairy tale, doesn't even have that desire. He quite likes his lazy nature. And why wouldn't he, when his parents, and even his sweetheart Andulka, can't do anything but complain and sigh and hope that maybe one day... The offer of help comes from a completely unexpected source—Beelzebub himself, the chief prince of all devils and she-devils, takes Vašek to hell for a year to re-educate him. Of course, this isn't for free, and there's a nasty trick hidden in it.

Directed by Olga Švarcová, Cesta do pekla a zpátky leans on a strong ensemble — Martin Sobotka, Andrea Elsnerová, Naďa Konvalinková — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about family titles of 1996.