Karel Zeman
- Known for
- Directing
- Born
- November 3, 1910
- Died
- April 5, 1989
- Birthplace
- Ostromer u Nové Paky, Bohemia, Austria-Hungary [now Czech Republic]
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.
Filmography
Film Adventurer Karel Zeman 2015
as Self (archive footage)
La magie Karel Zeman 2015
Director
Sindbad 2001
Scenario Writer
The Tale of John and Mary 1980
Director, Writer, Art Direction, Animation
Karel Zeman for Children 1980
as Self, Director
The Sorcerer's Apprentice 1978
Director, Screenplay, Art Direction
Tales of 1,001 Nights 1974
Director, Screenplay, Art Direction
On the Comet 1970
Director, Art Direction, Screenplay
The Stolen Airship 1967
Director, Art Direction, Screenplay
The Jester's Tale 1964
Director, Screenplay, Story
The Fabulous Baron Munchausen 1962
Director, Story, Screenplay, Art Designer
- The Magic World of Karel Zeman
The Magic World of Karel Zeman 1962
as Himself
Laterna magika II 1960
Director, Writer
Mr. Prokouk, The Acrobat 1959
Writer, Set Decoration
The Fabulous World of Jules Verne 1958
Director, Production Design, Special Effects, Screenplay, Screenstory, Art Designer
- Mr. Prokouk, Detective
Mr. Prokouk, Detective 1957
Screenplay, Animatronics Designer, Story
- Black diamond
Black diamond 1956
Story, Screenplay
Strakonický dudák 1955
Special Effects
Journey to the Beginning of Time 1955
Director, Screenplay, Story, Art Designer, Special Effects
Mr. Prokouk, The Animal Lover 1955
Director, Writer
The Treasure of Bird Island 1953
Animation, Director, Screenplay
- One Hundred and Ten Years of the Pilsen Brewery
One Hundred and Ten Years of the Pilsen Brewery 1952
Director
110 Years of the Pilsen Brewery 1952
Director, Director of Photography
King Lavra 1951
Director, Screenplay, Adaptation
Inspiration 1949
as Glass Blower, Director, Writer
Mr. Prokouk, The Inventor 1949
Screenplay, Story, Director
Mr. Prokouk, The Filmmaker 1948
Screenplay, Story, Director
Mr. Prokouk, The Volunteer 1947
Story, Screenplay, Director, Animation
Mr. Prokouk, The Office Clerk 1947
Director, Animation, Screenplay
Mr. Prokouk in Temptation 1947
Director
- Cukr
Cukr 1946
Special Effects
The Hamster 1946
Director, Screenplay
Mr. Prokouk: A Horseshoe for Luck 1946
Director, Screenplay, Story, Director of Photography
A Christmas Dream 1945
Director, Animation, Art Designer
Credits from TMDB.