Spalovac Mrtvol – THE CREMATOR – The Dungeon Review!

This 1969 black and white Czech shocker is a surreal journey through one man’s descent into madness. It is a horror film with the most subtle of intentions. It doesn’t really become violent until well towards the end, but there is something sinister lurking underneath that definitely gets under your skin. ‘The Cremator’ is truly one of the most unique films I have ever seen!

Karel Kopfrkingl is a crematorium operator working in Czechoslovakia. He is obsessed with his work and believes cremation purifies the soul. He carries about a book on Tibetan Spiritualism and embraces the idea of reincarnation. He is visited by a friend whom he fought alongside during World War I. His respected friend is a member of the Nazi party and is doing his best to enlist Karel. With membership comes privilege, but will Karel give up his comfortable existence and the wonderful family he loves?

The minute the film begins we are treated to weird camera shots as we follow the family around the zoo. Afterwards, they visit a fair, stopping to watch the happy people riding the merry-go-round. Karel has no interest in seeing happy people, and instead brings the family to a chamber of horrors exhibit. As his family looks on aghast, Karel smiles contently. This opening scene suggests that Karel, if nothing else, is an unusual character.

Karel Kopfrkingl, certainly doesn’t believe he is going mad. He seemingly has a reason for everything he does, and is always happy to offer you an explanation for it. He is a man of conviction who abstains from liquor and tobacco. He regularly has his blood checked to be sure he has not acquired some manner of infliction from his corpses. He speaks longingly of the Dalai Lama’s palace at Lhasa. He embraces Tibetan spirituality and talks often of reincarnation. But of course, his true passion is really the art of cremation. His family is little more than furnishing in this film, and barely utters a word. Rudolf Hrusínský plays Karel brilliantly. Although Karel is a businessman, father, and husband there is much about his character that is distressing. There is almost a naivety there that adds an even more warped angle to the proceedings. As the film roles out, we find that Karel does indeed give in to temptations. He is rather easily led down a very dark path, where true to his character, he finds a way for the end to justify the means.

There are numerous close up shots of Karel throughout. I was haunted by his round white face floating in my dreams. He is constantly combing his thinning, greasy hair with the very same comb he uses on his corpses. There are countless scenes I could note, but I would prefer letting you experience this one for yourself. The look and feel of this film is perfection. It is absolutely seamless with one scene pouring into another. The steady and unwavering pace makes you feel like you are travelling with Karel on his journey into madness. The surreal imagery causes an almost hallucinatory state. Sometimes it is difficult to tell where Karel’s visions end, and reality begins. The black and white photography adds a great deal to the mood of the film. Although ‘The Cremator’ is deeply disturbing, there is a dark humour that lies just underneath. There are comments made by Karel that will make you smirk, but on closer inspection add an ominous irony when the credits role. Although ‘The Cremator’ would certainly qualify as expressionism it is not clouded with senseless images and dialog that leave you wondering what it was all about.

As poignant today as when it was made. ‘The Cremator’ got under my skin. What makes it so horrifying is that the world is full of Karel Kopfrkingl’s. It is a wonderfully engaging, disturbing and completely surreal trip that will stay with you. I cannot wait to check out more films from director Juraj Herz! Highest of recommendations!

Dungeon Rating: 5/5

Directed By: Juraj Herz

Starring: Rudolf Hrusínský, Vlasta Chramostová, Jana Stehnová, Milos Vognic, Zora Bozinová, Ilja Prachar, Eduard Kohout, Jirí Menzel