Karel Zeman Collection: The Best of Karel Zeman (1955-1961)

Often described as the Czech Méliès , visionary filmmaker Karel Zeman has been a profound influence on whole generations of film artists from Jan Svankmajer to Tim Burton, the Quay Brothers to Terry Gilliam, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Wes Anderson. His ground-breaking innovations in the use of live-action and animation mark him as one of the great masters of 20th Century fantasy cinema, ranking alongside … mehrhis more celebrated Western counterparts Willis O Brien, George Pal and Ray Harryhausen.

Journey to the Beginning of Time (1955):

The story of four boys who set out on a wooden boat back up the river of time into the prehistory of the planet Earth. The Fabulous World of Jules Verne - Verne's timeless story of an exploited inventor whose work falls into the hands of criminals threatening the entire world, along with the paper look of the scenery, and dramatic stylization throughout the film all contribute to the unique visual effect and atmosphere of this work of cinematic art. The Fabulous Baron Munchausen - Munchausen's humorous narrative contrasts with the romantic tale of a modern fantasist Tony, who becomes the good Baron's rival in love.

The Fabulous Baron Munchausen (1961):

In 1961, Karel Zeman made the finest film adaptation of the outlandish tales of Baron Munchausen, made famous in the 1786 book by Gottfried August Bürger. The incredible adventures of the bragging Baron come to life in a film celebrating the courange and imagination of dreamers and poets. Zeman took inspiration from the engravings in the 1862 edition, the work of one of the greatest illustrators of the 19th century Gustav Doré. In the movie, Munchausen's humorous narrative contrasts with the romantic tale of a modern fantasist Tony, who becomes the good Baron's rival in love.

Invention for Destruction (1958):

Still the most commercially lucrative Czech film ever produced - released internationally to huge success in 1960 as 'The Fabulous World of Jules Verne' - Invention for Destruction is also Zeman's most beloved work.
Wildly inventive, and breaking new ground in its combination of live action, animation and design, creating a 'steampunk' aesthetic decades ahead of its time. Zeman's film is both a heartfelt homage and love letter to Jules Verne's wonderful tales of science and adventure, and a valiant cry against man's predisposition to self-destruction. weniger