Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Karel Höger | ... | Prokop | |
Florence Marly | ... | Princess Wilhelmina Hagen | |
Eduard Linkers | ... | Carson | |
![]() |
Jirí Plachý | ... | D'Hemon (Daimon) |
![]() |
Natasa Tanská | ... | Anci Tomes |
Frantisek Smolík | ... | Dr. Tomes | |
Miroslav Homola | ... | Jiri Tomes | |
Vlasta Fabiánová | ... | The Veiled Woman / The Revolutionist Woman | |
![]() |
Jaroslav Prucha | ... | Old Mail Carrier |
Jirina Petrovická | ... | The Nurse (framing sequences) | |
![]() |
Jaroslav Zrotal | ... | The Doctor (framing sequences) |
Bedrich Vrbský | ... | Baron Rohn | |
![]() |
Bohus Hradil | ... | Holz (as B. Hradil) |
![]() |
Frantisek Vnoucek | ... | Agitational Orator [Script Name: Rosse] |
Karel Dostal | ... | Professor in Dream |
Based on a novel by Karel Capek, a prominent Czech writer of the early 20th century, who coined the word robot for his play R.U.R., the story revolves around a discovery of Krakatit-a powerful explosive by Prokop, the main character of the movie. After an accidental explosion in the lab, exhausted Prokop slips in and out of dream-like hallucinations. He later realizes that in his altered state of consciousness he had given the formula for making Krakatit to one of his colleagues, and he tries to stop its spread before it is too late. But there are too many dark, powerful forces interested in the ultimate explosive. Written by Anonymous
I saw this film once 46 years ago and it left an indelible impression on me.
It brings out a strange and beautiful romanticism from the Capek novel. It delves into the angst that Szilard, Fermi and Oppenheimer might have felt regarding the development of the A-Bomb.
It takes you on quite a journey.