Cremator (1969)

Set in World War II, a demented cremator believes cremation relieves earthly suffering and sets out to save the world.

Director:

Juraj Herz

Writers:

Ladislav Fuks (novel), Ladislav Fuks (screenplay)

Stars:

Rudolf Hrusínský, Vlasta Chramostová, Jana Stehnová

3 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rudolf Hrusínský	...	Kopfrkingl
Vlasta Chramostová	...	Lakmé / Dagmar
Jana Stehnová	...	Zina
Milos Vognic	...	Mili
Zora Bozinová	...	Reinkeová
Ilja Prachar	...	Walter Reinke
Eduard Kohout	...	Bettleheim
Jirí Menzel	...	Dvorák
Míla Myslíková	...	Hloupá zena
Vladimír Mensík	...	Manzel hloupé zeny
Jirí Lír	...	Strauss
Václav Stekl	...	Hudebník / rozhodcí boxu / majitel panoptika
Helena Anýzová	...	Bledá dívka
Jindrich Narenta	...	Nacista ve smokingu
Marie Rosulková	...	Zena dozadující se rakvicky

Storyline

Kopfrkingl enjoys his job at a crematorium in Czechoslovakia in the late 1930s. He likes reading the Tibetan book of the dead, and espouses the view that cremation relieves earthly suffering. At a reception, he meets Reineke, with whom he fought for Austria in the first World War. Reineke convinces Kopfrkingl to emphasize his supposedly German heritage, including sending his timid son to the German school. Reineke then suggests that Kopfrkingl's half-Jewish wife is holding back his advancement in his job.

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Plot Keywords:

anti semitism | surrealism | black comedy | czech new wave | eulogy | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Horror | Thriller

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Details

Country:

Czechoslovakia

Language:

Czech

Release Date:

14 March 1969 (Czechoslovakia)

Also Known As:

The Cremator

Filming Locations:

Czech Republic

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmové studio Barrandov, Sebor

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The monologue that Kopfrkingl (Rudolf Hrusínský) delivers toward the end of the film, he is standing of the Right panel of Hieronymus Bosch's "Garden of Earthly Delights". There is also a montage of other Bosch paintings including; "Carrying of the Cross", "Ascent of the Blessed" & others.

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Goofs

Interiors, fashion and hairstyle are in some cases obviously from the sixties...

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Quotes

[first lines]
Kopfrkingl: My sweet. This is the blessed spot where we met 17 years ago. Only the leopard is new. Kind nature long ago relieved the other of his shackles. You see, dear, I keep talking of nature's benevolence, of merciful fate, of the kindness of God. We judge and criticize others, rebuke them. But what about ourselves? I always have the feeling that I do so little for you.

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Connections

Referenced in Vsechnopárty: Episode dated 24 September 2010 (2010)

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Soundtracks

New World Symphony Op. 95 - Largo
Composed by Antonín Dvorák

User Reviews

Simply horror

Really unbelievable this film is stated as horror/comedy here on IMDb. Braindead is horror/comedy. This is pure horror. If Kopfrkringl's sick mind doesn't scare you, nothing does. This is a holocaust movie. But unlike Pianist or Shindler's list this movie is about cremator. About man who finds idea of burning thousands of murdered people every day very attractive. Director Juraj Herz have done brilliant piece of work by creating atmosphere of fear and madness so deep and believable. Because in fact there had to be some Kopfrkringl who actually done these things during WW2. This movie flows like honey (or some Lynch's work) with no boring spots and no disturbances in its rhythm. One scene traverses into another almost seamlessly. And in the end you can see mass murderer who thinks he is dalailama and you'll believe it's possible. That's why Cremator is REAL horror.