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The Cremator

Play trailer Poster for The Cremator 1969 1h 40m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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88% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
In Prague, Kopfrkingl (Rudolf Hrusínský) enjoys his work at the crematorium perhaps a bit too much, having gained a perverse idea of reincarnation from his haphazard studies of Tibet. After World War II breaks out, there is a sudden need to be as Aryan as possible, and Kopfrkingl's old friend Reinke (Ilja Prachar) points out that Kopfrkingl has some German heritage. But his wife is Jewish, which makes his children Jewish, which makes the now-Nazi Kopfrkingl's blood boil.

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The Cremator

Critics Reviews

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Margaret Hinxman Daily Telegraph (UK) A valuable moral, but it is hard to care about the destiny of characters who are depicted as freaks from the beginning. Stunning Peter Lorre-ish performance from Rudolf Hrusinsky, however. Jun 8, 2020 Full Review Jonathan Romney Film Comment Magazine The Cremator is essential viewing if you're a lover of morbid black comedy, the kind of cinema that lies on the delicate border between horror and social satire. Aug 9, 2019 Full Review Anthony Lane The New Yorker Herz practiced a surrealism that is bare of whimsy and armed with aggression; one image splinters into the next, and, in the opening scene, full of caged beasts, you feel the prowling presence of Kafka. Jul 29, 2019 Full Review Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com While retrospect allows one to appreciate The Cremator's comically monstrous undertones, it's dismaying sense of dread has only become more potent over time. Rated: 4.5/5 Jul 30, 2020 Full Review Martin Unsworth Starburst Not only is it an immensely entertaining movie, it's a work of art that should be on the list of anyone looking to understand filmmaking and cinematography. Rated: 9/10 Dec 14, 2017 Full Review Pablo Villaça Cinema em Cena Assustador estudo sobre a moralidade humana, este clássico tcheco conta com uma montagem fascinante e com uma atuação impecavelmente sombria de Hrusinský. Rated: 5/5 Jun 21, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jens B a formal masterpiece very chilling how relevant this topic is almost 100 years later the cat knew what was going to happen I'll watch this again multiple times in the near future Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/04/23 Full Review Simon T Increasingly creepy Czech drama, subtly referencing the Jewish Holocaust and how easily appalling crimes can be whitewashed through hifalutin language and behaviour. The editing is notable: scenes dovetail, voices are never raised. The actor who plays the cremator is excellent - slimy, porcine, insidious, a greasy Peter Lorre clone. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/16/23 Full Review Tom K A slow build for the first 70 minutes but then takes off for a surprising ending. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/03/23 Full Review Audience Member Wow. The Cremator is the movie that I'm proud of. I am from Slovakia and this movie may easily represent our whole cinematography. The directing and editing are absolutely mind-blowing. I was pausing the movie at certain moments to be sure it was a clean cut. And it was and I was extremely surprised. The main actor, Rudolf Hrušínský, is absolutely incredible. His performance is just outstanding. Adore this movie. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Audience Member Great black and white super weird and creepy but if you like that kind of thing.as I did. Then add this to your Sunday at 420 list of awesomness... Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the best of the Czech New Wave. Creepy and wonderfully shot. From story to cinematography, this is a must-see. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Cremator

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Cast & Crew

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Juraj Herz

Director

Rudolf Hrusínský

Kopfrkingl

Vlasta Chramosotova

Lakmé

Jana Stehnova

Zina

Milos Vognic

Mili

Ilja Prachar

Walter Reinke

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The Cremator

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Movie Info

Synopsis In Prague, Kopfrkingl (Rudolf Hrusínský) enjoys his work at the crematorium perhaps a bit too much, having gained a perverse idea of reincarnation from his haphazard studies of Tibet. After World War II breaks out, there is a sudden need to be as Aryan as possible, and Kopfrkingl's old friend Reinke (Ilja Prachar) points out that Kopfrkingl has some German heritage. But his wife is Jewish, which makes his children Jewish, which makes the now-Nazi Kopfrkingl's blood boil.
Director
Juraj Herz
Screenwriter
Juraj Herz, Ladislav Fuks
Production Co
New World
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
Czech
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 9, 2020
Runtime
1h 40m
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