Dařbuján a Pandrhola

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Dařbuján a Pandrhola is a 1960 Czech fairy-tale comedy directed by Martin Frič, based on a tale by Jan Drda rooted in Czech folklore.

Dařbuján searches for a godfather for his newborn who will be fair to everyone. He chooses Smrťák, the Grim Reaper, because death treats all people the same. Smrťák gives Dařbuján a magical gift: he can tell whether a sick person will die or be healed. Death is signaled by Smrťák standing by the bedridden person’s head; healing by his standing by the feet. With this power, Dařbuján becomes famous as a healer.

Dařbuján and his friend Pandrhola later trick Smrťák by turning the bed around and trapping him in a beer barrel. They must release him, though, because life without death would cause chaos—such as Pandrhola no longer being able to eat meat. In the end Smrťák kills Pandrhola and takes away Dařbuján’s gift.