Karel Čapek

Writing

Karel Čapek

Born January 9, 1890 · Malé Svatoňovice, Bohemia, Austria-Hungary

Died December 25, 1938 · aged 48

Karel Čapek was a Czech writer of the early 20th century. He had multiple roles throughout his career, including playwright, dramatist, essayist, publisher, literary reviewer, photographer and art critic. Nonetheless, he is best known for his science fiction including his novel War with the Newts and the play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots), which introduced the word robot

Known For

Bílá nemocBílá nemoc · 2026
Bílá nemoc
2026
MovieDrama
The Newt CongressThe Newt Congress · 2022
The Newt Congress
★ 4.02022
MovieDramaFantasy
For years now, giant talking newts have been used both for their labor and as laboratory animals. The Newt Congress takes place at a conference building surrounded by nature where participants have come together to optimize the exploitation of the animals. The short film is a free adaptation of Karel Čapek‘s War with the Newts.
The Creation of the HumanoidsThe Creation of the Humanoids · 1962
The Creation of the Humanoids
★ 6.51962
MovieScience Fiction
Many years after a nuclear war, the human survivors have created a new society where much of the work is done by androids, referred to derisively by humans as "clickers". A police official who is concerned that his sister has become involved with an android is sent to investigate a larger rumor that the androids are developing reason and emotion.
KrakatitKrakatit · 1948
Krakatit
★ 6.51948
MovieScience FictionThriller
In early 20th century Czechoslovakia, a gravely ill chemist recalls his discovery of a powerful explosive and how it landed in the hands of anarchists.
R.U.R. GenesisR.U.R. Genesis · 2013
R.U.R. Genesis
2013
MovieScience FictionAction
A story of robots leading a revolution against their human creators. It explores dehumanization through technology and the failure of a technologically driven utopia.
Ruffiano and SweeteethRuffiano and Sweeteeth · 1997
Ruffiano and Sweeteeth
★ 7.11997
MovieFamilyFantasy
Famed outlaw Lotrando sends his son to a strict Catholic boarding school to learn manners, but the boy becomes too polite to lead the band. When they inadvertently arrive in a sultanate where the princess Zubeida lies gravely ill and are mistaken for physicians, father and son must overcome their inexperience and imposture to heal her and save the realm.
Of Things SupernaturalOf Things Supernatural · 1959
Of Things Supernatural
★ 5.51959
MovieMysteryFantasy
An anthology of three absurd, ironic tales inspired by Čapek’s “Tales from One Pocket” and “Fables and Side Stories,” each showing uncanny forces disrupting ordinary lives: in Krejčík’s “Glorie,” a gentle clerk is haunted by a sudden halo; the other two segments by Mach and Makovec similarly blend everyday routines with ironic, supernatural twists.
The White DiseaseThe White Disease · 1937
The White Disease
★ 6.91937
MovieDramaScience Fiction
In a country whose people have just been successfully persuaded of their superiority and the justification for military expansion by the fiery speeches of a dictator, the bacillus of a highly destructive form of leprosy has spread. It is called morbus Tshengi, or popularly „white disease“. The only one who has developed an effective cure for it is a physician of the poor named Galén. But he refuses to reveal the secret of his cure as long as the powerful destroy human lives through wars.

Filmography

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Janáček: The Makropulos AffairJanáček: The Makropulos Affair · 2011
Janáček: The Makropulos Affair
★ 10.02011
MovieMusic
Premiered in 1926, Leoš Janáček’s absorbing masterpiece Veˇc Makropulos reflects all the dominant musical styles of the early 20th century, from Bohemian tunefulness to big Straussian phrases, Berg-like jaggedness and primeval rhythms. With the “breathtakingly grandiose” (Salzburger Nachrichten) Angela Denoke in the lead role, this emotionallypowerful opera was given superior treatment at the hands of the Wiener Philharmoniker under Esa-Pekka Salonen. Recorded live at the Salzburger Festspiele on 8 & 30 August 2011. Angela Denoke stars as Emilia Marty, with Raymond Very as Albert Gregor, Peter Hoare as Vitek, Jurgita Adamonyté as Krista, and Johan Reuter as Jaroslav Prus. Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the Wiener Philharmoniker.

Author

Čintamani & podvodníkČintamani & podvodník · 1965
Čintamani & podvodník
★ 8.01965
MovieComedyCrime
Two short stories by Karel Čintamani a ptáci An avid collector of carpets, MUDr. Vitásek discovers a unique piece in Mrs. Severýnová's junk shop - a Persian carpet with a pattern of birds. As a connoisseur, he knows that there are only three of these carpets in existence and they are all owned by different monarchs. Severyn has no idea how rare it is, but the carpet is not for sale. It was saved by the wealthy widow Zanelli, who travels all over the world and rarely visits Prague. Vitásek confides in his lawyer friend Bimbal and with his help tries to retrieve the rare piece. Tales of a marriage fraudster The police headquarters is on high alert as marriage frauds proliferate. The hallmark of the culprit is violin playing and gold teeth. Inspector Pigeon of the train service eventually apprehends the fraudster, Vincent Plichta. The serious criminal doesn't resist arrest, he just bills the costs and goes to serve his sentence. After a while, marriage fraud is reported again.

Short Story