Karel Zeman

Karel Zeman

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.

  • Title: Karel Zeman
  • Popularity: 2.063
  • Known For: Directing
  • Birthday: 1910-11-03
  • Place of Birth: Ostromer u Nové Paky, Bohemia, Austria-Hungary [now Czech Republic]
  • Homepage:
  • Also Known As:
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Karel Zeman Movies

  • 1980
    imgMovies

    Karel Zeman for Children

    Karel Zeman for Children

    6.5 1980 HD

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  • 1949
    imgMovies

    Inspiration

    Inspiration

    6.8 1949 HD

    A glass blower imagines that his creations come to life. A story of love contained within a single drop of rain. A voyage into ethereal beauty.

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  • 2015
    imgMovies

    Film Adventurer Karel Zeman

    Film Adventurer Karel Zeman

    7.9 2015 HD

    A look at the life, work and importance of Czech filmmaker Karel Zeman (1910-89), a genius of world cinema, a wizard of special effects, revealing...

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  • 1953
    imgMovies

    The Treasure of Bird Island

    The Treasure of Bird Island

    6.8 1953 HD

    People living on an island finds a treasure, but it does not only do them good.

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  • 1959
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk, The Acrobat

    Mr. Prokouk, The Acrobat

    1 1959 HD

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  • 1959
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk, The Acrobat

    Mr. Prokouk, The Acrobat

    1 1959 HD

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  • 1978
    imgMovies

    Krabat: The Sorcerer's Apprentice

    Krabat: The Sorcerer's Apprentice

    7.3 1978 HD

    Krabat, a beggar boy, is lured to become an apprentice to an evil, one-eyed sorcerer. With a number of other boys, he works at the sorcerer's mill...

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  • 1978
    imgMovies

    Krabat: The Sorcerer's Apprentice

    Krabat: The Sorcerer's Apprentice

    7.3 1978 HD

    Krabat, a beggar boy, is lured to become an apprentice to an evil, one-eyed sorcerer. With a number of other boys, he works at the sorcerer's mill...

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  • 1955
    imgMovies

    Journey to the Beginning of Time

    Journey to the Beginning of Time

    7.3 1955 HD

    Four schoolboys go on an awe-inspiring expedition back through time, where they behold landscapes and creatures that have long since vanished from...

    img
  • 1955
    imgMovies

    Journey to the Beginning of Time

    Journey to the Beginning of Time

    7.3 1955 HD

    Four schoolboys go on an awe-inspiring expedition back through time, where they behold landscapes and creatures that have long since vanished from...

    img
  • 1949
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk, The Inventor

    Mr. Prokouk, The Inventor

    6 1949 HD

    After a hard day at work, Mr. Prokouk decides to invent a machine to ease his labor. But inventing is work too, and Mr. Prokouk spends more time...

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  • 1948
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk, The Filmmaker

    Mr. Prokouk, The Filmmaker

    5.4 1948 HD

    Shortfilm from the Mr. Prokouk series. Mr. Prokouk wants to be a filmmaker, but the making of a film has more complications than he expected.

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  • 1962
    imgMovies

    The Fabulous Baron Munchausen

    The Fabulous Baron Munchausen

    7.5 1962 HD

    A 20th century man lands on the Moon and discovers that Baron Munchausen has beaten him to it, accompanied by Cyrano de Bergerac and the characters...

    img
  • 1970
    imgMovies

    On the Comet

    On the Comet

    5.9 1970 HD

    When a comet passes the Earth very closely, it pulls a small part of North Africa, and a small swathe of humanity, along with it.

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  • 2001
    imgMovies

    Sindbad

    Sindbad

    1 2001 HD

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  • 1974
    imgMovies

    A Thousand and One Nights

    A Thousand and One Nights

    6.1 1974 HD

    Five different exploits of Sinbad the sailor where he gets mixed up with the pretty daughters of exotic potentates, with powerful monsters that...

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  • 1974
    imgMovies

    A Thousand and One Nights

    A Thousand and One Nights

    6.1 1974 HD

    Five different exploits of Sinbad the sailor where he gets mixed up with the pretty daughters of exotic potentates, with powerful monsters that...

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  • 1947
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk, The Volunteer

    Mr. Prokouk, The Volunteer

    1 1947 HD

    Mr. Prokouk postpones the filming and decides to leave for the agricultural brigade.

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  • 1947
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk, The Volunteer

    Mr. Prokouk, The Volunteer

    1 1947 HD

    Mr. Prokouk postpones the filming and decides to leave for the agricultural brigade.

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  • 1947
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk, The Volunteer

    Mr. Prokouk, The Volunteer

    1 1947 HD

    Mr. Prokouk postpones the filming and decides to leave for the agricultural brigade.

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  • 1947
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk, The Volunteer

    Mr. Prokouk, The Volunteer

    1 1947 HD

    Mr. Prokouk postpones the filming and decides to leave for the agricultural brigade.

    img
  • 1953
    imgMovies

    The Treasure of Bird Island

    The Treasure of Bird Island

    6.8 1953 HD

    People living on an island finds a treasure, but it does not only do them good.

    img
  • 1967
    imgMovies

    The Stolen Airship

    The Stolen Airship

    6.9 1967 HD

    The Stolen Airship (Czech: Ukradená vzducholod) is a 1967 live-action/animated film by Czech filmmaker Karel Zeman. The story is based loosely...

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  • 1958
    imgMovies

    The Fabulous World of Jules Verne

    The Fabulous World of Jules Verne

    7.1 1958 HD

    As the world progresses into the industrial age, a professor studying the "nature of pure matter" is spirited away by a would-be dictator and...

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  • 1980
    imgMovies

    The Tale of John and Mary

    The Tale of John and Mary

    7 1980 HD

    Young knight John travels the world in search of fame and fortune, but also to help others and prove himself. However, things go dire fast and he...

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  • 1980
    imgMovies

    The Tale of John and Mary

    The Tale of John and Mary

    7 1980 HD

    Young knight John travels the world in search of fame and fortune, but also to help others and prove himself. However, things go dire fast and he...

    img
  • 1948
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk, The Filmmaker

    Mr. Prokouk, The Filmmaker

    5.4 1948 HD

    Shortfilm from the Mr. Prokouk series. Mr. Prokouk wants to be a filmmaker, but the making of a film has more complications than he expected.

    img
  • 1964
    imgMovies

    The Jester's Tale

    The Jester's Tale

    7.5 1964 HD

    An anti-war black comedy set during the Thirty Years' War. It follows ploughman Petr, recruiter Matěj and country girl Lenka who get caught up in...

    img
  • 1964
    imgMovies

    The Jester's Tale

    The Jester's Tale

    7.5 1964 HD

    An anti-war black comedy set during the Thirty Years' War. It follows ploughman Petr, recruiter Matěj and country girl Lenka who get caught up in...

    img
  • 1949
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk, The Inventor

    Mr. Prokouk, The Inventor

    6 1949 HD

    After a hard day at work, Mr. Prokouk decides to invent a machine to ease his labor. But inventing is work too, and Mr. Prokouk spends more time...

    img
  • 1949
    imgMovies

    Inspiration

    Inspiration

    6.8 1949 HD

    A glass blower imagines that his creations come to life. A story of love contained within a single drop of rain. A voyage into ethereal beauty.

    img
  • 1967
    imgMovies

    The Stolen Airship

    The Stolen Airship

    6.9 1967 HD

    The Stolen Airship (Czech: Ukradená vzducholod) is a 1967 live-action/animated film by Czech filmmaker Karel Zeman. The story is based loosely...

    img
  • 1958
    imgMovies

    The Fabulous World of Jules Verne

    The Fabulous World of Jules Verne

    7.1 1958 HD

    As the world progresses into the industrial age, a professor studying the "nature of pure matter" is spirited away by a would-be dictator and...

    img
  • 1958
    imgMovies

    The Fabulous World of Jules Verne

    The Fabulous World of Jules Verne

    7.1 1958 HD

    As the world progresses into the industrial age, a professor studying the "nature of pure matter" is spirited away by a would-be dictator and...

    img
  • 1958
    imgMovies

    The Fabulous World of Jules Verne

    The Fabulous World of Jules Verne

    7.1 1958 HD

    As the world progresses into the industrial age, a professor studying the "nature of pure matter" is spirited away by a would-be dictator and...

    img
  • 1958
    imgMovies

    The Fabulous World of Jules Verne

    The Fabulous World of Jules Verne

    7.1 1958 HD

    As the world progresses into the industrial age, a professor studying the "nature of pure matter" is spirited away by a would-be dictator and...

    img
  • 1970
    imgMovies

    On the Comet

    On the Comet

    5.9 1970 HD

    When a comet passes the Earth very closely, it pulls a small part of North Africa, and a small swathe of humanity, along with it.

    img
  • 1946
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk: A Horseshoe for Luck

    Mr. Prokouk: A Horseshoe for Luck

    4.8 1946 HD

    Mr. Prokouk finds a horseshoe and thinks it's a good luck charm. So, he decides to take it with him home and find a suitable place for it. He soon...

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  • 2015
    imgMovies

    La magie Karel Zeman

    La magie Karel Zeman

    1 2015 HD

    French DVD compilation of five short films by Czech animator Karel Zeman.

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  • 1980
    imgMovies

    Karel Zeman for Children

    Karel Zeman for Children

    6.5 1980 HD

    img
  • 1947
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk, The Office Clerk

    Mr. Prokouk, The Office Clerk

    5.6 1947 HD

    Cobbler Mr. Prokouk starts working in an office where there is a lot of paperwork too big for him.

    img
  • 1960
    imgMovies

    Laterna magika II

    Laterna magika II

    1 1960 HD

    A film of the Czech multimedia theatre production, Magician's Lantern

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  • 1960
    imgMovies

    Laterna magika II

    Laterna magika II

    1 1960 HD

    A film of the Czech multimedia theatre production, Magician's Lantern

    img
  • 1945
    imgMovies

    A Christmas Dream

    A Christmas Dream

    5.4 1945 HD

    Christmas has arrived. As a little girl and her parents enter the room, the little girl finds all kinds of toys under the Christmas Tree. She...

    img
  • 1974
    imgMovies

    A Thousand and One Nights

    A Thousand and One Nights

    6.1 1974 HD

    Five different exploits of Sinbad the sailor where he gets mixed up with the pretty daughters of exotic potentates, with powerful monsters that...

    img
  • 1978
    imgMovies

    Krabat: The Sorcerer's Apprentice

    Krabat: The Sorcerer's Apprentice

    7.3 1978 HD

    Krabat, a beggar boy, is lured to become an apprentice to an evil, one-eyed sorcerer. With a number of other boys, he works at the sorcerer's mill...

    img
  • 1945
    imgMovies

    A Christmas Dream

    A Christmas Dream

    5.4 1945 HD

    Christmas has arrived. As a little girl and her parents enter the room, the little girl finds all kinds of toys under the Christmas Tree. She...

    img
  • 1948
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk, The Filmmaker

    Mr. Prokouk, The Filmmaker

    5.4 1948 HD

    Shortfilm from the Mr. Prokouk series. Mr. Prokouk wants to be a filmmaker, but the making of a film has more complications than he expected.

    img
  • 1947
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk in Temptation

    Mr. Prokouk in Temptation

    7 1947 HD

    While building a house, Mr. Prokouk is interrupted by a chap in a barrel with a seemingly endless supply of free liquor. This does not improve Mr....

    img
  • 1980
    imgMovies

    The Tale of John and Mary

    The Tale of John and Mary

    7 1980 HD

    Young knight John travels the world in search of fame and fortune, but also to help others and prove himself. However, things go dire fast and he...

    img
  • 1980
    imgMovies

    The Tale of John and Mary

    The Tale of John and Mary

    7 1980 HD

    Young knight John travels the world in search of fame and fortune, but also to help others and prove himself. However, things go dire fast and he...

    img
  • 1949
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk, The Inventor

    Mr. Prokouk, The Inventor

    6 1949 HD

    After a hard day at work, Mr. Prokouk decides to invent a machine to ease his labor. But inventing is work too, and Mr. Prokouk spends more time...

    img
  • 1949
    imgMovies

    Inspiration

    Inspiration

    6.8 1949 HD

    A glass blower imagines that his creations come to life. A story of love contained within a single drop of rain. A voyage into ethereal beauty.

    img
  • 1962
    imgMovies

    The Fabulous Baron Munchausen

    The Fabulous Baron Munchausen

    7.5 1962 HD

    A 20th century man lands on the Moon and discovers that Baron Munchausen has beaten him to it, accompanied by Cyrano de Bergerac and the characters...

    img
  • 1962
    imgMovies

    The Fabulous Baron Munchausen

    The Fabulous Baron Munchausen

    7.5 1962 HD

    A 20th century man lands on the Moon and discovers that Baron Munchausen has beaten him to it, accompanied by Cyrano de Bergerac and the characters...

    img
  • 1951
    imgMovies

    King Lavra

    King Lavra

    6 1951 HD

    A king hides an embarrassing secret - and it causes him to execute every barber who cuts his hair.

    img
  • 1951
    imgMovies

    King Lavra

    King Lavra

    6 1951 HD

    A king hides an embarrassing secret - and it causes him to execute every barber who cuts his hair.

    img
  • 1957
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk, Detective

    Mr. Prokouk, Detective

    5 1957 HD

    Story of Mr. Prokouk, who having read too many detective stories sees criminals everywhere.

    img
  • 1957
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk, Detective

    Mr. Prokouk, Detective

    5 1957 HD

    Story of Mr. Prokouk, who having read too many detective stories sees criminals everywhere.

    img
  • 1957
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk, Detective

    Mr. Prokouk, Detective

    5 1957 HD

    Story of Mr. Prokouk, who having read too many detective stories sees criminals everywhere.

    img
  • 1947
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk, The Office Clerk

    Mr. Prokouk, The Office Clerk

    5.6 1947 HD

    Cobbler Mr. Prokouk starts working in an office where there is a lot of paperwork too big for him.

    img
  • 1953
    imgMovies

    The Treasure of Bird Island

    The Treasure of Bird Island

    6.8 1953 HD

    People living on an island finds a treasure, but it does not only do them good.

    img
  • 1947
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk, The Office Clerk

    Mr. Prokouk, The Office Clerk

    5.6 1947 HD

    Cobbler Mr. Prokouk starts working in an office where there is a lot of paperwork too big for him.

    img
  • 1947
    imgMovies

    Cukr

    Cukr

    7 1947 HD

    img
  • 1945
    imgMovies

    A Christmas Dream

    A Christmas Dream

    5.4 1945 HD

    Christmas has arrived. As a little girl and her parents enter the room, the little girl finds all kinds of toys under the Christmas Tree. She...

    img
  • 1967
    imgMovies

    The Stolen Airship

    The Stolen Airship

    6.9 1967 HD

    The Stolen Airship (Czech: Ukradená vzducholod) is a 1967 live-action/animated film by Czech filmmaker Karel Zeman. The story is based loosely...

    img
  • 1970
    imgMovies

    On the Comet

    On the Comet

    5.9 1970 HD

    When a comet passes the Earth very closely, it pulls a small part of North Africa, and a small swathe of humanity, along with it.

    img
  • 1955
    imgMovies

    Strakonický dudák

    Strakonický dudák

    6.3 1955 HD

    img
  • 1956
    imgMovies

    Black diamond

    Black diamond

    1 1956 HD

    img
  • 1956
    imgMovies

    Black diamond

    Black diamond

    1 1956 HD

    img
  • 1951
    imgMovies

    King Lavra

    King Lavra

    6 1951 HD

    A king hides an embarrassing secret - and it causes him to execute every barber who cuts his hair.

    img
  • 1955
    imgMovies

    Journey to the Beginning of Time

    Journey to the Beginning of Time

    7.3 1955 HD

    Four schoolboys go on an awe-inspiring expedition back through time, where they behold landscapes and creatures that have long since vanished from...

    img
  • 1955
    imgMovies

    Journey to the Beginning of Time

    Journey to the Beginning of Time

    7.3 1955 HD

    Four schoolboys go on an awe-inspiring expedition back through time, where they behold landscapes and creatures that have long since vanished from...

    img
  • 1955
    imgMovies

    Journey to the Beginning of Time

    Journey to the Beginning of Time

    7.3 1955 HD

    Four schoolboys go on an awe-inspiring expedition back through time, where they behold landscapes and creatures that have long since vanished from...

    img
  • 1958
    imgMovies

    The Fabulous World of Jules Verne

    The Fabulous World of Jules Verne

    7.1 1958 HD

    As the world progresses into the industrial age, a professor studying the "nature of pure matter" is spirited away by a would-be dictator and...

    img
  • 1962
    imgMovies

    The Fabulous Baron Munchausen

    The Fabulous Baron Munchausen

    7.5 1962 HD

    A 20th century man lands on the Moon and discovers that Baron Munchausen has beaten him to it, accompanied by Cyrano de Bergerac and the characters...

    img
  • 1964
    imgMovies

    The Jester's Tale

    The Jester's Tale

    7.5 1964 HD

    An anti-war black comedy set during the Thirty Years' War. It follows ploughman Petr, recruiter Matěj and country girl Lenka who get caught up in...

    img
  • 1946
    imgMovies

    The Hamster

    The Hamster

    1 1946 HD

    Animals try to escape from a flood.

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  • 1955
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk, The Animal Lover

    Mr. Prokouk, The Animal Lover

    1 1955 HD

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  • 1955
    imgMovies

    Mr. Prokouk, The Animal Lover

    Mr. Prokouk, The Animal Lover

    1 1955 HD

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