Against All (1957) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Amid the Hussite conflict, political divisions and personal loyalties shape the defense of Tábor and Prague, while the radical schism ends in tragedy.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Flight and Faction

The Provost, sacristan, and Marta flee a Taborite mob and find refuge with Ctibor. Meanwhile, villagers join the Táborites, and Zdena becomes drawn to Bydlinsky.

Key Events

• Refugees Flee the Taborites — The Provost, sacristan, and novice Marta flee a looting mob and seek refuge. Characters: Provost, Ctibor of Hvozdna, Marta Location: Road near Louňovice
• Ctibor Shelters the Refugees — Ctibor protects the fleeing religious figures from their pursuers. Characters: Ctibor of Hvozdna, Provost, Marta Location: Ctibor's fortress at Hvozdno
• Refuge at Příběnice — The Provost and the others find shelter with Oldřich of Rožmberk. Characters: Provost, Marta Location: Příběnice Castle
• Hvozdno Joins the Táborites — Villagers and Ctibor's daughter Zdena join the Táborites passing through. Characters: Ctibor of Hvozdna, Zdena Location: Hvozdno
• Zdena Meets Bydlinsky — Zdena becomes enchanted by the Tábor priest Jan Bydlinsky. Characters: Zdena, Jan Bydlinsky Location: Tábor

A Kingdom Divided

The Provost persuades Rožmberk to support Sigismund, while the king rejects Prague's plea for negotiation. Tábor's leaders divide over whether to defend their city or march to Prague.

Key Events

• Rožmberk Chooses Sigismund — The Provost persuades Rožmberk to side with Sigismund and attack Tábor for a promised reward. Characters: Provost Location: Příběnice Castle
• The Provost Reaches Kutná Hora — The Provost reports Rožmberk's position to Sigismund and encounters Ctibor. Characters: Provost, Ctibor of Hvozdna, Sigismund of Luxembourg Location: Kutná Hora
• Hussites Cast into Mine Shafts — Germans throw Hussites into empty silver mine shafts. Characters: Provost, Sigismund of Luxembourg Location: Silver mines at Kutná Hora
• Sigismund Rejects Prague's Envoys — Sigismund refuses negotiations with a delegation from Prague. Characters: Sigismund of Luxembourg Location: Kutná Hora
• Tábor Debates Its Response — Tábor's priests debate defense of the city while Žižka urges aid for Prague. Characters: Jan Žižka, Petr Kanis, Jan Bydlinsky, Zdena Location: Tábor
• The Hussites March for Prague — Most Hussites prepare to aid Prague, and Ctibor and Ondrej depart. Characters: Jan Žižka, Ctibor of Hvozdna, Ondrej from Hvozdna Location: Road from Tábor to Prague

The Siege of Tábor

Rožmberk's army, supported by Austrian troops, besieges Tábor while Žižka sends cavalry from Prague. The Hussites break the siege, and Ondrej saves Marta as the captured Provost is executed.

Key Events

• Zdena Stays with the Radicals — Zdena remains in Tábor with Bydlinsky, Kanis, and their followers. Characters: Zdena, Jan Bydlinsky, Petr Kanis Location: Tábor
• Rožmberk Marches on Tábor — Rožmberk's army, supported by Albrecht's troops, advances with Marta and the Provost. Characters: Provost, Marta Location: Road to Tábor
• Tábor Under Siege — The besieged camp struggles to resist the attacking army. Characters: Petr Kanis, Jan Bydlinsky, Zdena Location: Tábor
• Žižka Sends Cavalry — Žižka sends cavalry from Prague to relieve the besieged Tábor. Characters: Jan Žižka Location: Road from Prague to Tábor
• The Siege Is Broken — A surprise Hussite attack defeats the besiegers and saves Tábor. Characters: Jan Žižka, Provost, Marta, Ondrej from Hvozdna Location: Tábor
• Ondrej Saves Marta — After the siege, Ondrej saves Marta and her maid from death. Characters: Ondrej from Hvozdna, Marta Location: Tábor
• The Provost Is Executed — The captured Provost and sacristan are executed by the Hussites. Characters: Provost Location: Tábor

The Příběnice Tragedy

The radical faction leaves Tábor, with Zdena and Bydlinsky joining Kanis at Příběnice. Kanis's followers burn the lovers alive, and Ctibor is unable to save his daughter.

Key Events

• Radicals Leave Tábor — After the danger passes, Kanis's radicals leave Tábor with Zdena and Bydlinsky. Characters: Petr Kanis, Zdena, Jan Bydlinsky Location: Road to Příběnice
• The Radicals Burn at Příběnice — Kanis's followers burn Zdena and Bydlinsky alive; Ctibor cannot save his daughter. Characters: Petr Kanis, Zdena, Jan Bydlinsky, Ctibor of Hvozdna Location: Příběnice Castle

The Defense of Vítkov

Prague prepares for a crusader assault, and Žižka fortifies the strategic route around Vítkov Hill with a small force. Prague's reinforcements help defeat the crusaders, bringing Sigismund's campaign to an end.

Key Events

• Prague Prepares for the Crusade — Hussites in Prague prepare as crusader forces besiege the capital from three sides. Characters: Jan Žižka, Sigismund of Luxembourg Location: Prague
• Žižka Fortifies Vítkov Hill — Žižka fortifies the route by Poříčská Gate with a small force. Characters: Jan Žižka Location: Vítkov Hill
• Crusaders Attack Vítkov — A vastly larger crusader army attacks Žižka's defenders on the hill. Characters: Jan Žižka, Sigismund of Luxembourg Location: Vítkov Hill
• Prague Reinforcements Win — Reinforcements from Prague defeat the crusaders and rout Sigismund's campaign. Characters: Jan Žižka, Sigismund of Luxembourg Location: Vítkov Hill
• Hussites Celebrate Victory — The Hussites celebrate their victory as the crusade falls apart. Characters: Jan Žižka Location: Prague

Story Breakdown

• Refugees and Shelter — The Provost and Marta flee violence and receive protection from Ctibor.
  • Flight from Louňovice — The Provost, sacristan, and Marta escape a looting Taborite mob.
  • Ctibor's Protection — Ctibor shelters the fugitives at his fortress.
• Zdena Joins Tábor — Villagers enter the Hussite movement, and Zdena becomes attached to Bydlinsky.
  • Village Defection — Many Hvozdno villagers join the Táborites passing through.
  • A New Attachment — Zdena is enchanted by the priest Jan Bydlinsky.
• Rožmberk's Alliance — The Provost secures Rožmberk's support for Sigismund and helps prepare an attack on Tábor.
  • Promised Reward — Rožmberk agrees to attack the weakened town for financial reward.
  • News at Kutná Hora — The Provost informs Sigismund about Rožmberk's position.
• Tábor's Strategic Divide — Tábor's priests and Žižka disagree about whether to defend the town or assist Prague.
  • Prague's Plea — Sigismund refuses to negotiate with Prague's delegation.
  • The March Begins — Most Hussites prepare to leave for Prague, while Zdena stays with the radicals.
• The Siege of Tábor — Rožmberk's army attacks the weakened town, but Žižka's relief force turns the battle.
  • Besieged Town — Tábor struggles against Rožmberk's army and Austrian support.
  • Hussite Relief — Cavalry sent by Žižka helps defeat the besiegers.
• Rescue and Retribution — The siege's aftermath brings a rescue and the execution of the captured Provost.
  • Marta Is Saved — Ondrej saves Marta and her maid from death.
  • The Provost Executed — The Hussites execute the captured Provost and sacristan.
• The Příběnice Tragedy — The radicals leave Tábor, and the lovers meet a fatal end at Příběnice.
  • Radicals Depart — Kanis, Zdena, and Bydlinsky leave Tábor for Příběnice.
  • A Fatal Burning — Kanis's followers burn Zdena and Bydlinsky alive despite Ctibor's inability to save her.
• Vítkov and Victory — Žižka defends Prague's vulnerable approach, and the crusader assault is defeated.
  • Hilltop Fortification — Žižka fortifies Vítkov Hill with a small force.
  • Crusade Defeated — Prague's reinforcements help defeat the attackers, and the Hussites celebrate.

Directed by

Otakar Vávra

Key Cast

• Zdeněk Štěpánek — Jan Žižka
• Gustav Hilmar — Ctibor of Hvozdna
• Vlasta Matulová — Zdena
• Bedřich Karen — Provost
• Jan Pivec — Sigismund of Luxembourg