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Section: Czechoslovakian Cinema: Films of My Childhood
The Emperor's Baker, the Baker's Emperor (1951)
Emperor Rudolf II is more interested in art, beautiful women, and alchemy than in ruling. Most of all, he wants to get the elixir of youth and find the legendary Golem. As he focuses on his hobbies, the supreme courtiers, led by chamberlain Lang, join Rudolph's brother Matyas, who seeks the throne. Due to a mistaken identity, the baker Matěj Kotrba becomes the ruler; he looks very similar to the emperor, just twenty-five years younger. He will deal with the prominent courtiers, issue useful orders, and use the Golem to benefit everyone.
| Country | Czechoslovakia |
|---|---|
| Year | 1951 |
| Duration | 144 min |
| Rating | 10 |
| Directed by | Martin Frič |
| Screenplay | Martin Frič, Jan Werich, Jiří Brdečka |
| Director of Photography | Jan Stallich |
| Music | Julius Kalaš, Zdeněk Petr |
| Edited by | Jan Kohout |
| Contact | Národní filmový archiv |
Biography
A film director and screenwriter. He studied at UMPRUM and focused on theater and cabaret. He debuted in silent film with Father Vojtěch (1928) and sound film with The Good Soldier Schweik (1931). He shot dozens of works, e.g. Workers, Let's Go (1934), Kristián (1939), The Wedding Ring (1944) and Life on Wheels (1966).