hpord1 I saw this movie, growing up in Chicago, IL on the Kukla, Fran and Ollie show. I fell in love with it then and it made an impression on me as well. Unfortunately, I was very young then, and I could not even remember what country it had come from! All, I knew is that in this version of Cinderella, there was on owl instead of a fairy God mother, and three magical hazel nuts. Over the years I tried to find it, but to no luck. None of my friends or family remembered seeing it aired on television here in the States. But thanks to the "determined" little child within me, and of course, the Internet, I finally found a copy! And even if the subtitles are not perfect, I don't care, its just as magical to me now as it was when I was 8!

jana-87 One of the most endearing movies - not just fairy-tales. Every time it is over I feel strangely empty and sad. The magic has been lifted and the world is again same old and cold. Possibly not a very healthy reaction, nevertheless - the movie is a gem. Being from Czechoslovakia, having watched this movie at least once a year since it came out when i was a little girl, I sure am biased. But it turns out people love Popelka pretty much world over. I'm very very happy to find out.Thank you for sharing all those nice comments, it was a joy to read. Even the one slightly cynical reviewer from Wisconsin admits there is something to this film, despite the "awesome" effects. And there are a few of those indeed, e.g. rock stiff dead fox - that is expected to pass as fresh kill in a hunt... oh well. I only know one person, a guy from Detroit who spent a few Christmas in Slovakia, who found this movie boring to death. But then, he hates Luis Armstrong's Wonderful World... And yes, Popelka is available on DVD, unfortunately with horrid English subtitles (as already mentioned by a reviewer from Great Britain). Whoever is responsible for that particular translation and editing should not be fired, but buried alive.

remerser This movie is simply a staggering classic which probably will live on forever. I remember seeing this movie as I child in Norwegian and the beautiful glimps of magic moments. As a Czechoslovakian myself I've see also seen the Czechoslovak version and honestly its really there were Cinderella blooms in all its greatness although I still recommend anyone to watch it. It is perhaps not a typical Czechoslovak movie, lacking the characteristic humour and comedy aspect but it is still a feel-good movie which will make a distinctive impression on you.PS: Here, in Norway, the movie is actually the only movie which people demand has to be sent on the state channel NRK1 on Christmas Eve - claiming that there will be no proper Christmas without it; And I think that summarizes pretty much what a classic is all about!

bettina84 In Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia and the Czech republic this movie is shown every Christmas eve, and for many people (myself included) it won't be Christmas without it. The channel tried to take the movie of the program one year because it's such an old film, but there was a massive upheaval and luckily it was stopped and Christmas was saved and it has been showed ever since. It is a sweet Cinderella story, told in a different way then the classical tale we're used to. The movie is extremely charming and beautifully made, although without any Hollywood style special effects. Unfortunately this movie has suffered the fate of most non-English movies in the US and have been more or less completely overlooked.