The Last Theft (1987) Review

After doing my review on Jan Svakmajer's short film last year, I felt compelled to talk about my other favorite Czech animator. Along with Jan Svankmajer, Jiri Barta is one of the best animators from former Czechoslovakia. Years ago I would check out Barta's Labyrinth of Darkness (1978) on Netflix whenever it was available. I was already obsessed with Svankmajer's The Ossuary and other Tales (1994) at the time. So, I figured Barta's work would impress me too. And it did!  Every time I come across one of their films I become more fascinated by their creativity and want to learn more about Czech animation and cinema.

Compared to Svankmajer's nightmarish worlds, Barta's narratives seem to deliberately give insight into human nature. No matter how absurd or frightening his films may look on the surface, like his 1989 short The Club of the Laid Off,  there is a message we can take from them.The Last Theft, his only live-action film, is one of those narratives and also one Barta's finest pieces.

The Last Theft starts off with a man breaking into an old, and seemingly empty mansion. He tries to get away with stealing fancy goods until he runs into some rather otherworldly occupants. Rather than kicking him out, they invite him to play a game of dice. During the game we see this man get overwhelmingly ecstatic at how much money he is winning. One of the family members offers him a drink to wind him down. They continue to attend to his needs throughout the night by feeding him food, giving him a clean shave and even a warm bath! The good times end when the man realizes that it is he who's, in fact, the real victim and not the other way around.

Jiri Barta’s use of color is incredibly clever. The film doesn't contain any dialogue. However, the colors act as the short's unique voice. They highlight various objects around the home and give life to the characters' skin according to their moods. In this manner, Barta challenges the viewer to pay close attention to his imagery. Despite some grey undertones, the bright colors help create a dreamlike effect within this Gothic setting. 

It's easier to see how Barta plays with bold colors during the gambling scene. When we first meet the residents they look like death, yet ethereal. Each time these occupants sees the ignorant thief embracing their hospitality, their skin gets brighter. It's as if these pops of color appear to act as a facade for our pale mansion dwellers. Meanwhile, the colors beaming on the thief's face never lie.There is no mistake in how he feels about money. It's the one thing that makes him come alive. It's also very clear about how he feels when he discovers his victims’ dark secret at the film’s climax. Which, by the way, I won't spoil.

Subtle amounts of tension keep you wanting to see how all this plays out. Tender classical music and loud sound effects make the climax all the more startling. When the thief receives his evening shave, the music cuts right when the little girl drops the watermelon. The thief's giggles, hiccups, and sighs soon turn into screams. Before the film's big reveal, the music ends with an absurd round of applause.

Jiri Barta's piece illustrates poetic justice done on to those who are blind by greed. Even after he gets caught trying to steal, the man continues to take advantage of the situation. In the end, his bad behavior catches up with him in the most bizarre, comical way.

By the time I finished watching this, it made me think about how God or the universe has a way of making sure you "reap what you sow", for better or for worse. What you do to others will always come back around.

While Jiri Barta is widely known for his animated creations, The Last Theft proves he's more than capable of creating a live-action film. It's reminiscent of the silent film era mixed with his dark surrealism style. By including animation techniques, Barta shows he remains devoted to the medium. There were a couple of times I had to remind myself that this is not a stop-motion film. I could only imagine what he would do with a live-action full-length film.

The Last Theft is an insanely witty, Gothic tale any horror fan can enjoy.