Known For
Directing
Born
Nov 03, 1910
Died
Apr 05, 1989
Place of Birth
Ostromer u Nové Paky, Bohemia, Austria-Hungary [now Czech Republic]
Credits
34 titles
Karel Zeman
Biography
Karel Zeman was a brilliant pioneer of special effects in film. Despite his artistic talent, his parents insisted he study business. At the age of 17, he went to Aix-en-Provence in the south of France, where he studied advertising design. In 1943, the film director Elmar Klos offered him a job at the Bata Film Studios. Zeman often had to struggle against difficult conditions in the technically ill-equipped Kudlov Studios. Many of the workers with whom he started had no particular experience of filming. They, like Zeman himself, had to learn everything on the job. Journey to the Beginning of Time, released in 1955, became Zeman's breakthrough film, his first to combine live action, animation and puppetry. Four years later, Invention for Destruction saw him shoot to world-wide success. Zeman continued to develop his highly successful use of special effects in The Fabulous Baron Munchausen and the two Jules Verne adaptations that followed. In the 70's, Zeman returned to making strictly animated films. In the late 70's Zeman was threatened with the loss of his sight, but he overcame the disease and continued working. In the final stages of his life he suffered from heart problems.
Known For
Filmography
Film Adventurer Karel Zeman
Self (archive footage)
La magie Karel Zeman
Director
Sindbad
Scenario Writer
The Tale of John and Mary
Writer
Karel Zeman for Children
Self
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Director
Tales of 1,001 Nights
Director
On the Comet
Director
The Stolen Airship
Director
The Jester's Tale
Director
The Fabulous Baron Munchausen
Director
The Magic World of Karel Zeman
Himself
Laterna magika II
Writer
Mr. Prokouk, The Acrobat
Set Decoration
The Fabulous World of Jules Verne
Director
Mr. Prokouk, Detective
Screenplay
Black diamond
Screenplay
Strakonický dudák
Special Effects
Journey to the Beginning of Time
Screenplay
Mr. Prokouk, The Animal Lover
Director
The Treasure of Bird Island
Animation
110 Years of the Pilsen Brewery
Director
One Hundred and Ten Years of the Pilsen Brewery
Director
King Lavra
Director
Inspiration
Glass Blower
Mr. Prokouk, The Inventor
Screenplay
Mr. Prokouk, The Filmmaker
Screenplay
Mr. Prokouk, The Volunteer
Director
Mr. Prokouk, The Office Clerk
Director
Mr. Prokouk in Temptation
Director
Cukr
Special Effects
The Hamster
Director
Mr. Prokouk: A Horseshoe for Luck
Director
A Christmas Dream
Director