Cesta do pravěku / Journey to the Beginning of Time ČR, 1955, 93min. režie: K.Zeman

Cesta do pravěku / Journey to the Beginning of Time

barevný / color 16:9 93min. + bonuses

režie / director: Karel Zeman

hudba / music: Zdeněk Liška

hrají / cast: Vladimír Bejval, Petr Herrman, Zdeněk Hustak, Josef Lukáš

In 1958, this film literally circled the globe, was showered in prizes and became one of the most significant films of the 20th century. Among its other awards, it won the Grand Prix at the World Exposition EXPO 58 in Brussels.

It is the first of several films shot by Karel Zeman inspired by Jules Verne. Here, the director tried to create a new artistic style to bring to life images from the black and white engravings made by the first illustrators of the Jules Verne books, édouard Riou and Leon Bennett. Later on Zeman further developed this new style, using it to create his visionary worlds.

Together, Verne's timeless story of an exploited inventor whose work falls into the hands of criminals threatening the entire world, along with the paper look of the scenery, and dramatic stylization throughout the film all contribute to the unique visual effect and atmosphere of this work of cinematic art.

Bonus materials:

Trailer

• Karel Zeman and the World

• On Film Restoration

• A Film About Film

• Interview with John Stevenson

• Karel Zeman Museum