Karel Zeman and his Prague museum: where film magic was handmade

The fantasy blockbuster has a handmade ancestor, and it lives in a small museum a short stroll from the Charles Bridge. It is dedicated to Karel Zeman, a film-maker barely known outside cinema circles whose influence is out of all proportion to his name.

In communist Czechoslovakia he made films where actors wandered through painted worlds, ships sailed on drawn seas and everything looked like a nineteenth-century book illustration that had decided to move. His tools were glass, paper, cut-outs, puppets and a lot of cunning.

Who he was

Zeman lived from 1910 to 1989. He began in advertising and animation and, after the Second World War, worked at the film studios in Zlín (then called Gottwaldov), a hub of Czech animation. There he created the puppet character Mr Prokouk before turning to feature films that blended techniques.

The titles to know: Journey to the Beginning of Time (Cesta do pravěku, 1955), The Fabulous World of Jules Verne (Vynález zkázy, 1958), Baron Munchausen (Baron Prášil, 1961) and The Stolen Airship (Ukradená vzducholoď, 1967). For where they sit in the bigger picture, see Czech cinema from the New Wave to now.

The look

Zeman modelled his films on the engraved illustrations of adventure novels, Jules Verne above all. Backgrounds were painted or drawn, actors were filmed in front of them and animated bits slotted in. The result is flat, textured and surreal, and nothing else looks like it.

That was no accident of a small budget. It was a style, and it still looks fresh. Later directors in several countries have named him as an influence.

The museum

The Karel Zeman Museum is on Saská street in Malá Strana, close to the bridge. It is hands-on: displays show how his effects were made, and you can try some, such as stepping into a painted scene. Families like it. So does anyone who prefers to see how the trick works.

Hours, tickets and events are on the museum's own site, and I haven't printed prices or times because the museum sets them.

Why he matters

Zeman proved that film magic needs an idea and patience more than a budget. In an age of computer-made worlds, his handmade ones have a charm that's hard to fake. He is also a good door into Czech animation and puppetry; see the Czech puppet tradition and Barrandov Studios. The story of another Czech film-maker who left a mark abroad is in Miloš Forman, the Czech director.

Where to start with the films

Begin with The Fabulous World of Jules Verne, the clearest example of the style. Follow with Baron Munchausen, which plays more openly for laughs, then The Stolen Airship, an adventure about boys and a flying machine. Journey to the Beginning of Time is gentler, a prehistoric voyage seen through four boys. Streaming rights come and go, so check what's on offer. Festivals sometimes screen restored prints; our guide to film festivals in Prague is a good place to look.

Round it off with a walk

Malá Strana is one of the most atmospheric corners of Prague. The Charles Bridge is minutes away, Kampa island and its park are close and the John Lennon Wall sits nearby. To dodge the crowds on the bridge, read our Charles Bridge guide.

What the visit teaches

Every effect has a trick, and the trick is often simple. A model ship and a painted sea, shot at the right angle, become a voyage. Someone standing on a marked spot looks tiny beside a painted giant. The museum lets you try, which is the quickest way to see how Zeman's mind worked. Younger children enjoy it more with an adult joining in.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Karel Zeman?

A Czech film-maker and animator (1910 to 1989) known for fantasy films that mixed live action, animation and painted backdrops.

Where is the Karel Zeman Museum?

On Saská street in Malá Strana, near the Charles Bridge.

Which film should I watch first?

The Fabulous World of Jules Verne is the most celebrated. Journey to the Beginning of Time is a gentler alternative.

Is the museum suitable for children?

It is hands-on and popular with families. Check the museum's website for current details.