Invention for Destruction

Vynález zkázy

L

Genre

Adventure

Director

Karel Zeman

Run time

1h 24min

Cast

Lubor Tokoš, Arnošt Navrátil, František Šlégr, Miloslav Holub, Jana Zatloukalová

The most successful Czechoslovakian film in history, which became a global phenomenon in 1958. In New York alone it was screened simultaneously in 96 cinemas. This fantasy adventure won a number of prestigious awards, including the Grand Prix at EXPO 58 in Brussels.

This is the first of Zeman's films to be inspired by Jules Verne, in which the director tries out a new style of art direction, which he was later to develop even further. The story-book sets, striking design and innovative music of Zdenek Liška – all contribute to the unique appearance of this thrilling story with its anti-war subtext. The black and white narrative is deeply influenced by the classic engravings of Édouard Riou and Léon Bennett – the original illustrators of Verne's novels.

The digital restoration of the film "Invention for Destruction" is a part of "Restoring the World of Fantasy", a joint project of The Czech Film Foundation, Karel Zeman Museum and Czech Television. The aim of the project is, within three years, to digitally restore selected films by Karel Zeman to the finest quality, to screen them in cinemas and bring them to life again. The aim of the project is also to inform the public about the importance of digital restoration.

Czechoslovakia 1958

Genre

Adventure

Director

Karel Zeman

Run time

1h 24min

Cast

Lubor Tokoš, Arnošt Navrátil, František Šlégr, Miloslav Holub, Jana Zatloukalová

The most successful Czechoslovakian film in history, which became a global phenomenon in 1958. In New York alone it was screened simultaneously in 96 cinemas. This fantasy adventure won a number of prestigious awards, including the Grand Prix at EXPO 58 in Brussels.

This is the first of Zeman's films to be inspired by Jules Verne, in which the director tries out a new style of art direction, which he was later to develop even further. The story-book sets, striking design and innovative music of Zdenek Liška – all contribute to the unique appearance of this thrilling story with its anti-war subtext. The black and white narrative is deeply influenced by the classic engravings of Édouard Riou and Léon Bennett – the original illustrators of Verne's novels.

The digital restoration of the film "Invention for Destruction" is a part of "Restoring the World of Fantasy", a joint project of The Czech Film Foundation, Karel Zeman Museum and Czech Television. The aim of the project is, within three years, to digitally restore selected films by Karel Zeman to the finest quality, to screen them in cinemas and bring them to life again. The aim of the project is also to inform the public about the importance of digital restoration.

Czechoslovakia 1958

Info

Rating

For All Audiences

Production year

1958

Global distributor

-

Local distributor

Pimedate Ööde Filmifestival MTÜ

In cinema

11/6/2015