The Pied Piper & Jiri Barta Shorts Deluxe Limited Edition Blu-ray brings together Jiří Barta’s haunting stop-motion masterpiece alongside a collection of his most celebrated short films. Blending gothic design, surreal animation, and sharp social commentary, this set highlights one of the most distinctive voices in Czech animation.

Set in a dark, expressionist medieval world, The Pied Piper transforms the classic tale into a visually striking allegory of greed and control, populated by grotesque wooden figures and eerie, organic creatures. Complemented by a wide range of shorts spanning over a decade, this collection showcases Barta’s ability to merge artistry, satire, and atmosphere into unforgettable animated works.

Beautifully restored and presented across two discs, this deluxe edition offers a comprehensive look at Barta’s singular cinematic vision.

directed by: Jiří Barta
1982–1989 / Czech

The Pied Piper & Jiri Barta Shorts Deluxe Limited Edition [Blu-ray] — OOP

$64.99

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BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES

Disc One
• THE PIED PIPER feature, restored by Craig Rogers for Deaf Crocodile
• Jiří Barta’s short film THE VANISHED WORLD OF GLOVES, a marvelous tour through cinema history told through animated gloves (1982, 16 min.)
• CHRONICLE OF THE PIED PIPER, a behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of Barta’s masterpiece (1985, 13 min., dir. Miroslava Humplíková) – in Czech with English subtitles
• Video interview with director Jiří Barta, moderated by Dennis Bartok of Deaf Crocodile
• Audio commentary by Czech film expert Irena Kovarova of Comeback Company and film critic & historian Peter Hames

Disc Two

• Six Barta short films, newly restored by Deaf Crocodile:
• RIDDLES FOR A CANDY (1978, 8 min.)
• DISC JOCKEY (1980, 10 min.)
• THE DESIGN (1981, 6 min.)
• A BALLAD ABOUT GREEN WOOD (1983, 11 min.)
• THE LAST THEFT (1987, 21 min.)
• THE CLUB OF THE LAID OFF (1989, 25 min.)
• New video interview with director Jiří Barta about his short films, moderated by Dennis Bartok
• New visual essay narrated by Czech film expert Irena Kovarova of Comeback Company, film critic & historian Peter Hames and edited by Ryan Verrill of Someone’s Favorite Productions
• New artwork by Beth Morris
• Blu-ray authoring by David Mackenzie of Fidelity In Motion

DELUXE LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

• Slipcase featuring new artwork by Brian Level
• 60-page illustrated book
• New essay by film historian Jonathan Owen
• New essay by film critic and author Walter Chaw
• Essay on THE PIED PIPER by Czech film expert Irena Kovarova
• Limited Edition of only 2000 units
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