The Devil and Kate (1990)

A country inn

The scene opens on a holiday weekend in a village inn where peasants have gathered to celebrate. The action takes place in Mokra Lhota in Bohemia on the feudal estate of a Princess. The estate is controlled by an unseen and malevolent Steward. The young men are teasing the shepherd, Jirka, since he is the only one who has to work today. He decides to hire a small band of musicians to accompany him back to work, an action which he knows will annoy the Steward. As they are about to leave, Kate and her mother arrive. There is general mirth at Kate’s unprepossessing appearance. She wants to dance, but no one will ask her. Marbuel, the Devil, appears disguised as a strange hunter. He has come to find out if the Princess and the Steward have been wicked enough to deserve being sent to Hell. He ends up dancing and drinking with Kate. Jirka returns and announces that he has been fired by the Steward. Kate, meanwhile, is coaxed by Marbuel to leave her village and go to live in scarlet splendor with him. Marbuel escapes with Kate; Jirka proclaims that he will save her since “the Steward told me to go to Hell!”

In Hell

The devils are gathered, praising the glory of gold. Lucifer appears and chides them for making such a racket. Marbuel staggers in, with Kate on his back. She is furious since she was promised a palace, but refuses to leave until she has taught Marbuel a lesson. The devils are overjoyed when Jirka appears to take Kate home. Meanwhile, Marbuel reports on the state of affairs in Mokra Lhota, and Lucifer commands him to bring the Princess to Hell and get rid of Kate. Marbuel enlists Jirka’s help in removing Kate from Hell; in exchange he promises to threaten the Steward’s life and let Jirka appear to stop him and thereby regain the Steward’s favor. They organize a banquet with orgiastic dancing for Kate. Marbuel’s plan succeeds: the music, food and drink send Kate dancing out of Hell.

A hall in the Princess’s castle

The Princess reflects on the sadness pervading the castle: strange omens have terrified her and all her court has fled. A chambermaid comforts the Princess, pointing out that Jirka saved the Steward from Hell and now could save her. The Princess sends for Jirka to stave off the Devil. Although the Princess is contrite, Jirka explains that he cannot intervene because it would cost him his life. He says he would make the sacrifice if she would free the peasants. Jirka arranges for Kate to have her revenge on Marbuel, who arrives from Hell to claim the Princess only to be told by Jirka that Kate is chasing him. Kate appears, and Marbuel flees forever. The Princess rewards Kate, and places Jirka in charge of all her affairs of state. The peasants rejoice in having a fair leader — and their freedom.