VYNALEZ ZKAZY

(vt The Diabolic Invention; vt The Deadly Invention; vt The Fabulous World of Jules Verne; vt Invention of Destruction; vt Weapons of Destruction)

   Film (1958).

   Kratky film Praha/Studio loutkovych filmu Gottwaldov. Dir Karel Zeman, starring Lubor Tokus, Arnost Navratil, Miroslav Holub, Jana Zatloukalova. Screenplay Zeman, Frantisek Hrubin, based primarily on Jules VERNE's Face au drapeau (1896; trans as For the Flag 1897), but also drawing on sections of his Vingt mille lieues sousles mers (1870; trans as Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Seas 1872), L'ile mysterieuse (1874-5; trans as The Mysterious Island 1875) and Roburle conquerant (1886; trans as The Clipper of the Clouds 1887). 83 mins. B/w.

   This Czech film is a charming blend of cartoon animation, puppet filmand live action, with the overall style patterned on 19th-century steel engravings. A monomaniacal scientist invents an incredibly powerful new explosive; he and his assistant are captured by a Captain Nemo-like character and his followers. There are various adventures with submarines, BALLOONS, a giant octopus and a vast cannon. At the end patriotismtriumphs over unscrupulous technology. Zeman directed a number of excellent films of this sort (CZECH AND SLOVAK SF).

   JB/PN