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Kafka

  • 19911991
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
10K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Kafka (1991)
Theatrical Trailer from Miramax
Play trailer1:23
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Mystery
  • Sci-Fi
Kafka works during the day at an insurance company, where events lead him to discover a mysterious underground society with strange suppressive goals.Kafka works during the day at an insurance company, where events lead him to discover a mysterious underground society with strange suppressive goals.Kafka works during the day at an insurance company, where events lead him to discover a mysterious underground society with strange suppressive goals.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
10K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Steven Soderbergh
  • Writer
    • Lem Dobbs
  • Stars
    • Jeremy Irons
    • Theresa Russell
    • Joel Grey
Top credits
  • Director
    • Steven Soderbergh
  • Writer
    • Lem Dobbs
  • Stars
    • Jeremy Irons
    • Theresa Russell
    • Joel Grey
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 54User reviews
    • 34Critic reviews
    • 46Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 2 nominations

    Videos1

    Kafka
    Trailer 1:23
    Kafka

    Photos104

    Kafka (1991)
    Kafka (1991)
    Kafka (1991)
    Kafka (1991)
    Kafka (1991)
    Kafka (1991)
    Kafka (1991)
    Kafka (1991)
    Kafka (1991)
    Kafka (1991)
    Kafka (1991)
    Kafka (1991)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jeremy Irons
    Jeremy Irons
    • Franz Kafkaas Franz Kafka
    Theresa Russell
    Theresa Russell
    • Gabrielaas Gabriela
    Joel Grey
    Joel Grey
    • Burgelas Burgel
    Ian Holm
    Ian Holm
    • Doctor Murnauas Doctor Murnau
    Jeroen Krabbé
    Jeroen Krabbé
    • Bizzlebekas Bizzlebek
    Armin Mueller-Stahl
    Armin Mueller-Stahl
    • Grubachas Grubach
    Alec Guinness
    Alec Guinness
    • The Chief Clerkas The Chief Clerk
    Brian Glover
    Brian Glover
    • Castle Henchmanas Castle Henchman
    Keith Allen
    Keith Allen
    • Assistant Ludwigas Assistant Ludwig
    Simon McBurney
    Simon McBurney
    • Assistant Oscaras Assistant Oscar
    Robert Flemyng
    Robert Flemyng
    • The Keeper of the Filesas The Keeper of the Files
    Matyelok Gibbs
    • Conciergeas Concierge
    Ion Caramitru
    Ion Caramitru
    • Solemn Anarchistas Solemn Anarchist
    Hilde Van Mieghem
    Hilde Van Mieghem
    • Female Anarchistas Female Anarchist
    • (as Hilde Van Meighem)
    Jan Nemejovský
    Jan Nemejovský
    • Mustachioed Anarchistas Mustachioed Anarchist
    Toon Agterberg
    • Youthful Anarchistas Youthful Anarchist
    Maria Miles
    • Annaas Anna
    Vladimír Gut
    • Edwardas Edward
    • Director
      • Steven Soderbergh
    • Writer
      • Lem Dobbs
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Just before going to the Castle, Kafka (Jeremy Irons) ask Bizzlebek (Jeroen Krabbé) to burn his manuscripts if he never came back. Bizzlebek replies "such an extraordinary request". This is in reference of the real request Kafka asked his friend Max Brod before dying. Brod couldn't go with the request, and had Kafka's work published.
    • Quotes

      Doctor Murnau: A crowd is easier to control than an individual. A crowd has a common purpose. The purpose of the individual is always in question.

      Franz Kafka: That's what you're trying to eliminate, isn't it? Everything that makes one human being different from another. But you'll *never*, *never* reach a man's soul through a lens.

      Doctor Murnau: That rather depends on which end of the microscope you're on, doesn't it?

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Bugsy/Let Him Have It/At Play in the Fields of the Lord/Kafka (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      Eddie's Dead (Main Title)
      Composed by Cliff Martinez

      (p) & © 1992 Virgin Records America, Inc.

      distributed by WEA through arrangement with Atlantic Records.

    User reviews54

    Review
    Top review
    Too Depressing & Gloomy
    Despite the excellent black-and-white cinematography (which is seen for all but 15 minutes of this film), I canned this movie from my collection because the story was almost incomprehensible. It also was too depressing, too gloomy.

    This really is more of a horror film than anything else with a few uncomfortable scenes as people are being killed and/or used as guinea pigs in experiments. I would think this would not appeal to most people who aren't in some form of counseling or therapy (or should be!).

    Yet, that wonderful film-noir photography with great lights and shadows, made it intriguing to view.....once.
    helpful•13
    15
    • ccthemovieman-1
    • Jul 13, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 15, 1991 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 卡夫卡
    • Filming locations
      • Prague, Czech Republic
    • Production companies
      • Baltimore Pictures
      • Pricel
      • Renn Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $11,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,059,071
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $40,814
      • Dec 8, 1991
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,059,071
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 38 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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