Karel Zeman
Director · 1910–1989 · Ostromer u Nové Paky, Bohemia, Austria-Hungary [now Czech Republic]
IMDbBiography
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.
Directed 25
2010s
- 2015
La magie Karel Zeman
Director
1980s
- 1980
The Tale of John and Mary
Director
Karel Zeman for Children
Director
1970s
- 1978
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Director
- 1974
Tales of 1,001 Nights
Director
- 1970
On the Comet
Director
1960s
- 1967
The Stolen Airship
Director
- 1964
The Jester's Tale
Director
- 1962
The Fabulous Baron Munchausen
Director
- 1960
Laterna magika II
Director
1950s
- 1958
The Fabulous World of Jules Verne
Director
- 1955
Mr. Prokouk, The Animal Lover
Director
- 1953
- 1952
110 Years of the Pilsen Brewery
Director
- 1951
King Lavra
Director
1940s
- 1949
Inspiration
Director
Mr. Prokouk, The Inventor
Director
- 1948
Mr. Prokouk, The Filmmaker
Director
- 1947
Mr. Prokouk, The Volunteer
Director
Mr. Prokouk, The Office Clerk
Director
Mr. Prokouk in Temptation
Director
- 1946
The Hamster
Director
Mr. Prokouk: A Horseshoe for Luck
Director
- 1945
Wrote 22
2000s
- 2001
Sindbad
Scenario Writer
1980s
- 1980
The Tale of John and Mary
Writer
1970s
- 1978
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Screenplay
- 1974
Tales of 1,001 Nights
Screenplay
- 1970
On the Comet
Screenplay
1960s
- 1967
The Stolen Airship
Screenplay
- 1964
The Jester's Tale
Screenplay, Story
- 1962
The Fabulous Baron Munchausen
Story, Screenplay
- 1960
Laterna magika II
Writer
1950s
- 1959
Mr. Prokouk, The Acrobat
Writer
- 1958
The Fabulous World of Jules Verne
Screenplay, Screenstory
- 1955
Mr. Prokouk, The Animal Lover
Writer
- 1953
- 1951
King Lavra
Screenplay, Adaptation
1940s
- 1949
Inspiration
Writer
Mr. Prokouk, The Inventor
Screenplay, Story
- 1948
Mr. Prokouk, The Filmmaker
Screenplay, Story
- 1947
Mr. Prokouk, The Volunteer
Story, Screenplay
Mr. Prokouk, The Office Clerk
Screenplay
- 1946
The Hamster
Screenplay
Mr. Prokouk: A Horseshoe for Luck
Screenplay, Story
Art department 10
1980s
- 1980
The Tale of John and Mary
Art Direction
1970s
- 1978
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Art Direction
- 1974
Tales of 1,001 Nights
Art Direction
- 1970
On the Comet
Art Direction
1960s
- 1967
The Stolen Airship
Art Direction
- 1962
The Fabulous Baron Munchausen
Art Designer
1950s
- 1959
Mr. Prokouk, The Acrobat
Set Decoration
- 1958
The Fabulous World of Jules Verne
Production Design, Art Designer
- 1955
1940s
- 1945
Visual effects 5
1980s
- 1980
The Tale of John and Mary
Animation
1950s
- 1953
1940s
- 1947
Mr. Prokouk, The Volunteer
Animation
Mr. Prokouk, The Office Clerk
Animation
- 1945
Other crew 3
1950s
- 1958
The Fabulous World of Jules Verne
Special Effects
- 1955
Strakonický dudák
Special Effects
Camera 2
1950s
- 1952
110 Years of the Pilsen Brewery
Director of Photography
1940s
- 1946
Mr. Prokouk: A Horseshoe for Luck
Director of Photography
Acted in 1
1940s
- 1949
Inspiration
Glass Blower
Appearances2
1980s
- 1980
Karel Zeman for Children
Self