The world premiere of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Cinematic Cut, a feature film version of the smash hit Czech video game released earlier this year, will take place at the 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival next month. Directed by Warhorse Studios’ creative director Daniel Vávra and head of film production Petr Pekař, the film compiles cinematic scenes from the recently released sequel to Kingdom Come: Deliverance.
The move marks a rare crossover between the gaming and film worlds on the prestigious stage of a major film festival. For director Vávra and the team behind the Warhorse franchise, the film offers a new way to tell the story of Henry, a blacksmith’s son swept up in the turmoil of 15th-century Bohemia.
From Bohemian battlegrounds to KVIFF
Set in the Kingdom of Bohemia in 1403, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II follows Henry of Skalitz, the son of a blacksmith whose peaceful life is shattered when invading forces murder his family. The game traces Henry’s journey from grief to heroism as he becomes entangled in political intrigue, warfare, and loyalty tests. His evolving bond with Sir Hans Capon, whom he escorts on a dangerous diplomatic mission, forms the emotional spine of the narrative.
The new cinematic version draws exclusively from in-game footage and story sequences of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, a title praised for its narrative depth and historical authenticity. Rather than traditional adaptation, the Cinematic Cut serves as a curated film edit, offering a linear and immersive version of the game’s plot intended to function as a standalone viewing experience.
“Seeing Kingdom Come on the big screen has long been a dream of mine,” says Martin Frývaldský, CEO of Warhorse Studios. “We’re proud to present a story we’ve spent years developing in such a prestigious setting.”
The team believes the game’s grounded storytelling—focused on personal conflict and medieval realism—can stand alongside international film productions in quality and emotional impact. The film is not a Hollywood production, but the project’s ambition is evident.
Frývaldský noted that the budget for the game itself rivaled that of a mid-tier studio film or even a full Netflix series. Karlovy Vary artistic director Karel Och praised the cinematic experiment, calling it an extraordinarily original contribution to the festival’s programming.
“We are honored to be working together with world leaders in their field on this unique project, which represents an exceptionally original contribution to our long-standing goal of presenting powerful and gripping stories captured in a unique manner,” says Och.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Cinematic Cut is co-directed by Daniel Vávra and Petr Pekař, two Czech creatives who have worked extensively in both video games and cinematic storytelling. Vávra, a veteran of the gaming industry and co-founder of Warhorse Studios, gained early acclaim as the writer and director of Mafia.
Pekař, originally trained in film, transitioned into the gaming world as a director of narrative cutscenes. His experience includes work on Mafia III and the first Kingdom Come game. Since 2018, he has led Warhorse’s film department, where he oversaw the creation of more than five hours of cinematic content for Deliverance II.
This year’s Karlovy Vary International Film Festival runs from July 4 to 12 and remains one of Central Europe’s premier showcases for international and regional cinema. Other special events at this year’s fest include a 50th anniversary screening of a new restored edition of Miloš Forman‘s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, which will be personally introduced by Oscar-winning producer and actor Michael Douglas.
Festival audiences will have an opportunity to meet Kingdom Come: Deliverance II‘s creators during a KVIFF Talk on July 9 at 3:30 p.m. The world premiere of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Cinematic Cut follows the same day at 7 p.m.
Documenting the game’s journey from code to screen
Alongside the premiere in Karlovy Vary, a new behind-the-scenes documentary titled The Final Countdown is also being released. Directed by Polish gaming journalist Michał Mańka and produced with GameStar, the film chronicles the final days leading up to the release of Deliverance II.
With unprecedented access to Warhorse Studios’ Prague headquarters, the documentary captures raw reactions from developers and actors, including moments after the game’s launch and candid discussions on its development challenges.
“We filmed over seven hours of interviews and dozens of hours of supporting footage,” Mańka told CzechCrunch. “The result is over two hours of content that will appeal not only to fans, but to anyone interested in the production side of game development.”
The documentary includes interviews with lead developers as well as actors Tom McKay and Luke Dale, who portray the game’s protagonists. Warhorse’s communications director Tobias Stolz-Zwilling emphasized the emotional depth of the footage. “You see real people reacting to years of work coming to life,” he said. “We even included cut scenes that never made it into the final version of the game.”
A companion documentary from Czech gaming outlet Vortex is also in the works, continuing the outlet’s long-running coverage of the Kingdom Come franchise. The original game, released in 2018, garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, with the sequel reportedly surpassing 4 million copies sold in just four months since its launch.
