The Emperor and the Golem
A two-part Czechoslovak fantasy comedy about a baker who becomes emperor.
The Emperor and the Golem (Czech: Císařův pekař a pekařův císař) is a 1951 Czechoslovak historical fantasy comedy film split into two parts. Shot in color—unusual for Czechoslovak films at the time, due to an international release—it is set in Late Renaissance (Mannerist) Prague during the reign of Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia (1583–1611). The film is among the most famous works of Jan Werich, who plays both Emperor Rudolf and the baker Matěj. It remains well-liked in Czech society for its memorable songs and its striking depiction of the Golem, a mythical clay creature said to have been made by Rabbi Loew.
In Part I, the aging, eccentric Emperor Rudolf, obsessed with finding the Golem, ignores ambassadors and has destructive outbursts. He welcomes Magister Edward Kelley to Prague Castle and shows him his alchemy lab, which is full of fools and charlatans. Rudolf pressures an alchemist named Scotta to create an elixir of youth and forces him to perform a nighttime magic ritual. During the ritual, they accidentally discover the Golem, but it cannot be awakened without a small ball called the shem. Meanwhile, assistant baker Matěj faces an angry mob demanding bread rolls normally baked only for the emperor. When the corrupt bakery head leaves, Matěj gives the emperor’s rolls to the poor and is imprisoned in the dungeons. Kelley reveals his homunculus Sirael, whom Rudolf wants taught about everything, including love; Rudolf does not know Sirael is actually a country girl named Kateřina, coerced by Kelley. Kateřina and Matěj fall in love by communicating through vents between Kelley’s room and the dungeons, though they never see each other. Scotta concocts an elixir for Rudolf made of strong alcohol and morphium, and Matěj escapes.
In Part II, Rudolf drinks the concoction and falls asleep. Matěj ends up in the emperor’s rooms. Servants find him hiding in the bath and, because he looks remarkably like a younger Rudolf, believe the rejuvenation worked and dress him as emperor. When Rudolf wakes, he sees Matěj and mistakes him for his younger self in a mirror. Delighted by his supposed new vigor, Rudolf and an old servant ride alone to the countryside to recall sins of their youth. The emperor’s mistress, Countess Strada, also believes the rejuvenation worked, drinks the leftover elixir, embarrasses Matěj with advances, then falls asleep. Con
- type
- Film
- country
- Czechoslovakia
- year
- 1951
- director
- Martin Frič (replaced Jiří Krejčík after disputes)
- lead_actor
- Jan Werich
- runtime
- 155 minutes (two-part); 112 minutes (international version)
- color
- Yes (Eastmancolor and Agfacolor)
Quick Facts
- Writer
- Jan Werich / Jiří Brdečka
- Starring
- Jan Werich / Nataša Gollová / František Černý
- Director
- Martin Frič
- Music
- Julius Kalaš
- Cinematography
- Jan Stallich
- Editing
- Jan Kohout
- Studio
- Československý státní film
- Distributor
- Rozdělovna filmů Československého státního filmu
- Released
- 1952 · 1 · 4 (Czechoslovakia)
- Runtime
- 80 minutes (Part I) / 64 minutes (Part II)
- Country
- Czechoslovakia
- Language
- Czech
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film is set during the reign of Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia (1583–1611), in Late Renaissance (Mannerist) Prague. The plot follows aging Emperor Rudolf II, obsessed with finding the Golem, and baker Matěj, who is imprisoned for distributing the emperor's bread rolls to the poor. After a series of mistaken identities, Matěj is dressed as the emperor and attempts to rule fairly while searching for Kateřina, a country girl coerced by alchemist Edward Kelley to pose as a homunculus named Sirael.
In the second part, Matěj's identity is revealed, and the Golem is awakened by the court astrologer. The Golem kills several conspirators before Matěj stops it by removing the shem. Rudolf is reinstated, and the Golem is installed in the bakery to make bread for everyone. The film was shot in color, which was not common for Czechoslovak films at the time, due to the international release.
Reader's Guide
The Emperor and the Golem is significant as a landmark Czechoslovak color film and a popular vehicle for Jan Werich's dual performance. It was the third Czechoslovak full-length color film, shot using Eastmancolor and Agfacolor material. The film's international version, cut to 112 minutes and stripped of most propaganda-related scenes and songs, was successfully distributed in many countries including Italy, West Germany, East Germany, Sweden, the USA, the UK, Finland, France, Belgium, and Argentina.
The film's enduring popularity in Czech society stems from its catchy songs and its impressive portrayal of the Golem, a mythical creature allegedly made from clay by Rabbi Loew. The production history includes earlier attempts by Werich and Jiří Voskovec to adapt their play Golem in the 1930s, which eventually became the horror film Le Golem directed by Julien Duvivier. The screenplay for this version was co-written by Werich and Jiří Brdečka, with costumes based on designs by Jiří Trnka.
Did You Know?
- The film was shot in color using Eastmancolor and Agfacolor material, which was not common for Czechoslovak films at the time.
- Jan Werich performed the dual roles of Emperor Rudolf II and baker Matěj Kotrba.
- The international version was cut to 112 minutes and had most propaganda-related scenes and songs removed.
- The film was originally directed by Jiří Krejčík, but he was replaced by Martin Frič after disputes with Werich.
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