The Cremator (1969)
Spalovac mrtvol (original title)Reference View | Change View
- Not Rated
- 1h 35min
- Comedy, Crime
- 14 Mar 1969 (Czechoslovakia)
- Movie
Set in Central Europe during World War II, a demented cremator believes cremation relieves earthly suffering and sets out to save the world.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- 3 wins.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Rudolf Hrusínský | ... |
Kopfrkingl
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| Vlasta Chramostová | ... |
Lakmé / Dagmar
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Jana Stehnová | ... |
Zina
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| Milos Vognic | ... |
Mili
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| Zora Bozinová | ... |
Reinkeová
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| Ilja Prachar | ... |
Walter Reinke
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| Eduard Kohout | ... |
Bettleheim
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| Jirí Menzel | ... |
Dvorák
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| Míla Myslíková | ... |
Hloupá zena
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| Vladimír Mensík | ... |
Manzel hloupé zeny
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| Jirí Lír | ... |
Strauss
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| Václav Stekl | ... |
Hudebník / rozhodcí boxu / majitel panoptika
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| Helena Anýzová | ... |
Bledá dívka
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| Jindrich Narenta | ... |
Nacista ve smokingu
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| Marie Rosulková | ... |
Zena dozadující se rakvicky
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| Natasa Gollová | ... |
Madam v masérském salonu
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| Jirí Hálek | ... |
Rámar Holý
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| Jana Sulcová | ... |
Ruzolící dívka
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Jan Rericha | ... |
Mládenec ruzolící dívky
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| Oldrich Vízner | ... |
Kája
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| Carmen Mayerová | ... |
Lisková
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Libuse Pesková | ... |
Podzimková
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| Václav Kotva | ... |
Josífek Zajíc
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| Dimitri Rafalsky | ... |
Fenek
(as Dimitri Rafalský)
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Jan Vlcek | ... |
Vrána
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Václav Halama | ... |
Pelikán
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Frantisek Kubicek | ... |
Beran
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| Vera Vlcková | ... |
Lehká holka
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Ruzena Vlcková | ... |
Anezka
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Eva Ulincová |
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Rudolf Iltis | ... |
Stein
(as Dr. Rudolf Iltis)
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| Jan Kraus | ... |
Vojtík Prachar
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Alfred Ruzicka | ... |
(as Dr. Alfred Ruzicka)
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Karel Fiala |
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Zuzana Rumlová |
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Jirina Bílá | ... |
Pracharová (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Juraj Herz | ||
Written by
| Ladislav Fuks | ... | (novel "Spalovac mrtvol") |
| Ladislav Fuks | ... | (screenplay) |
| Juraj Herz | ... | (screenplay) |
Music by
| Zdenek Liska | ||
Cinematography by
| Stanislav Milota | ||
Editing by
| Jaromír Janácek | ||
Production Design by
| Zbynek Hloch | ||
Set Decoration by
| Frantisek Straka | ||
Costume Design by
| Olga Dimitrovová | ||
Makeup Department
| Frantisek Cizek | ... | makeup artist |
Production Management
| Ladislav Hanus | ... | production manager |
| Radomir Hubácek | ... | unit manager |
| Jaromír Lukás | ... | unit manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Vladimír Blazek | ... | assistant director |
| Kveta Lehovcová | ... | assistant director |
Art Department
| Josef Kraus | ... | assistant production designer |
Sound Department
| Frantisek Cerný | ... | sound |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Bohumil Rath | ... | second camera operator |
| Karel Jesátko | ... | still photographer (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Miroslava Smidova | ... | costumer (as Miroslava Smídová) |
Music Department
| Frantisek Belfín | ... | conductor |
Script and Continuity Department
| Vera Kalábová | ... | script editor |
| Vera Vlácilová | ... | script supervisor |
Additional Crew
| Vladimír Bor | ... | production team |
| Jirí Sebor | ... | production team |
| Josef Kemr | ... | voice dubbing: Dimitri Rafalsky (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Ústrední Pujcovna Filmu (1969) (Czechoslovakia) (theatrical)
- Artkino Pictures (1971) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Contemporary Films (1971) (United Kingdom) (theatrical) (subtitled)
- Corona Cinematografica (1972) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Second Run (2006) (United Kingdom) (DVD) (subtitled)
- Dark Sky Films (2009) (United States) (DVD) (subtitled)
- Bildstörung (2014) (Germany) (DVD)
- The Criterion Collection (2020) (United States) (DVD) (subtitled)
- The Criterion Collection (2020) (United States) (Blu-ray) (subtitled)
- New Star (2022) (Greece) (theatrical)
Special Effects
Other Companies
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Czech Karel Kopfrkingl enjoys his job at a crematorium in the late 1930s. He likes reading the Tibetan book of the dead, and espouses the view that cremation relieves earthly suffering. At a reception, he meets Reineke, with whom he fought for Austria in the first World War. Reineke convinces Kopfrkingl to emphasize his supposedly German heritage, including sending his timid son to the German school. Reineke then suggests that Kopfrkingl's half-Jewish wife is holding back his advancement in his job. Written by Will Gilbert |
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| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | With a 90.2% score on the Czech and Slovak Movie Database as well as praise from movie critics, The Cremator is often considered to be one of the best movies ever made in Czechoslovakia. It has also gathered a prominent cult following. See more » |
| Goofs | Interiors, fashion and hairstyle are in some cases obviously from the sixties... See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into CzechMate: In Search of Jirí Menzel (2018). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Symphony No. 9 in E minor Op. 95 'From the New World' II. Largo See more » |
| Quotes |
[last lines]
Kopfrkingl: I'll save them all... the whole world. See more » |