The Cremator
1969 · Movie · 96 min · ★ 7.8 · 83% critics
Set in 1930s Prague, a Czech cremator who believes cremation frees people from suffering becomes increasingly drawn to Nazism. As Nazi influence creeps closer, his convictions collide with his ordinary life, reshaping how he sees family, duty, and belonging.
Based on The Cremator
Where to watch
Streaming on The Criterion Channel and Kanopy — or rent from $3.99.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Original title
- Spalovač mrtvol
- Years
- 1969
- Release date
- 1969-03-14
- Language
- CS
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Critic score
- 83/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.8/10 (264 votes)
About
If you want a dark, surreal, fear-soaked satire about how ideology can take hold, The Cremator may land for you; Not for you if you’re sensitive to unsettling themes or dislike slow stretches, especially if you prefer something like Eyes Without a Face or An American Werewolf in London.
Pros: hypnotic lead performance; satirical descent; unsettling atmosphere | Cons: dark, disturbing subject; divisive style; slow stretches
Themes
- based on novel or book
- insanity
- child murder
- zoo
- dark comedy
- crematorium
- exterminator
- funeral director
- nazi collaborationism
- czech new wave
- family killed
- czech resistance
- +1 more
Awards & recognition
- Sitges Film Festival Best Feature-Length Film award · 1972
- International Submission to the Academy Awards · 1970 · nominated
Cast & crew
Rudolf Hrušínský
as Karel Kopfrkingl
Vlasta Chramostová
as Lakmé / Dagmar
- JS
Jana Stehnová
as Zina
- MV
Miloš Vognič
as Mili
Ilja Prachař
as Walter Reinke
Zora Božinová
as Reinkeová
Eduard Kohout
as Bettleheim
Jiří Lír
as Strauss
Dimitri Rafalsky
as Fenek
- JV
Jan Vlček
as Vrána
Directed by Juraj Herz