Talking to a fellow IMDber about the Czech New Wave (CNW) Sci-Fi flick Who Wants To Kill Jessie (1966-also reviewed),I found out about a Czech Sci-Fi Film Noir made decades before the CNW,which led to me deciding that it was time to burn the Krakatit.
View on the film:
Set alight the year The Communist People's Militias group grabbed control of the country in a coup d'état,co-writer/(along with bother Jaroslav) director Otakar Vávra bleeds blistering Sci-Fi,Film Noir paranoia from Karel Capek, (who was the first person to use the word "robot")over a chilling Cold War canvas.
Keeping the movie's feet on the ground by avoiding any flamboyant elements in the Sci-Fi machinery,the Vávra's smartly use the new technology to give Prokop a slippery menace,due to the satellite tracking and Prokop's own explosive creation being dangerous machines which everyone is out of their depth in using.
Striking a note of hope over the early Cold War tension not heating up,the Vávra's burn any sign of light to the ground. Pinning Prokop down in his bed,the Vávra's unmask a nightmare fever dream,where Prokop find every attempt he makes to keep the Krakatit out of reach to lead him down a rotting Film Noir path covered in sharp tooth Femme Fatale and backstabbing friends after his deadly creation.
Clouding Prokop's memories,director Otakar Vávra and cinematographer Václav Hanus soak the Sci-Fi in a wonderful uneasy mood,where ultra- stylised reflecting mirrors and fractured shadows make Prokop doubt the ground he walks on.
Striking Jirí Srnka's thunderous score over the credits, Vávra cuts into Prokop's Film Noir paranoia with a ruthless intensity,by crossing tightly coiled tracking shots of Prokop going down burnt-up Film Noir streets with fiery whip-pans that capture the murderous force of Prokop's powder.
Getting out of the submarine she was held in for Rene Clement's The Damned from the previous year (also reviewed),the gorgeous Florence Marly gives an incredible performance as Princess Wilhelmina Hagen. Initially looking regal,Marly rips the royal shine up to expose a viper Femme Fatle, who slithers in the shadows to kill every Film Noir loner in her sights.
Hit with a torn lip, Karel Höger gives an excellent Film Noir loner performance as Prokop,thanks to Höger displaying Prokop's desperation in making everyone aware of the danger,but being unable to stop the Krakatit from being lit.
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