Krakatit

National Film Archive presents

A Film by

Based on the Novel by Karel Čapek

Screen Adaptation Screenplay

Music — Film Symphony Orchestra Conducted by

Director of Photography Camera Assistants

Art Director Art Director's Assistant

Director's Assistant Set Designer's Assistant

Recording Secretary

Costume Advisor Make-Up Artists

Film Editor Sound Editor

Produced by Production Assistants

Made by the Group

Starring

Featuring

Directed by

THE STORY TAKES PLACE IN THE MIDST OF A FEVERISH DREAM.

You can come now, Doctor.

- What's his temperature? - 40.2 degrees.

His pulse is only sixty.

Well, well. He doesn't want to lie on his back.

Meningitis. Tetanus.

Get him ready for a lumbar puncture and hold him tight, nurse.

- Who's he? - We don't know.

He was found unconscious on the embankment.

With nothing on him at all. Not even an ID.

That's a fine thing indeed. A man in delirium.

Perhaps we'll never even find out his name.

His hands are a real mess, burnt-up.

He could be a chemist.

We'll see what the test will show.

He's having trouble breathing. Give him oxygen, nurse.

Long wandering…

Long… wandering.

Excuse me.

Excuse me, aren't you Mr. Prokop, the engineer?

Are you Prokop?

- I wasn't there. - Where?

There. What do you want from me?

Don't you recognise me? It's me, Tomesh.

- From the university, remember? - Tomesh?

Of course, Tomesh.

- What do you want from me? - You'd better sit down first.

- Understand? - Yes.

I'm not feeling well, you see?

I'm injured, you see?

- Damn it! - We studied chemistry together.

Do you remember? Tomesh.

Tomesh, that rascal. What about him?

He's fine. He's talking to you.

Listen, you have a fever. You should be in bed. Understand?

- Where do you live? - There.

Near Hybsmonka.

I don't want to go there.

Don't go there. There's…

- There's… - There's what?

- Krakatit. - What's that?

Krakatoa, the volcano.

A volcano, you see?

- It's a horrible thing. - What?

Kraka…

Krakatit.

- Who's that? Who are you? - I'm your colleague, Tomesh. — Tomesh.

That scamp! He borrowed my lecture notes.

He never returned one of my chemistry exercise-books.

Wait, let me tell you something.

When the rest blows up, it'll be hell.

The whole city will be swept. Blown away.

Wait, that's not possible.

- It's nonsense. - What? — Why…

Why didn't the container explode?

When the powder on the table… All by itself…

Wait! Be quiet.

- What's the matter with you? - Krakatit.

Rest, it's just a nervous fever, you'll feel better in the morning.

I've discovered methods. Destructive chemistry.

Matter is terribly powerful.

It holds together with great strain, but it disintegrates upon tampering.

Everything explodes.

Every idea is a crack in your brain, you see?

My head is abuzz. Like a machine gun.

- Swallow this aspirin, will you? - Yes.

Explosive aspirin. Perchlorated acetylsalicylic acid.

Any substance is in fact an explosive.

Water is an explosive too.

I've discovered atomic explosions.

I've carried out alpha explosions.

If only I had the proper instruments.

But all I've got are eyes and hands.

- Aren't you sleepy? - I am.

But what have you been up to all this time?

Nothing. Just life.

Life is an explosive, you know?

Boom! A man is born and instantly disintegrates.

While to us it seems like ages, doesn't it?

You're right. Maybe I'll go BOOM tomorrow.

I'll have run out of money by then.

Mr Prokop shall take his colloquium.

Tell us what you know about explosives.

- What are alpha explosions? - Alpha explosions.

An explosion is the result of atomic disintegration.

- Atomic particles disperse… - Nonsense! There are no atoms!

And you dare take your colloquium?

What do you know about Krakatit?

Krakatit is…

It is a new explosive, so far not…

What ignites it? What causes it to explode?

- Hertz waves. - How do you know that?

- Because it exploded unexpectedly and because… — Well?

I've achieved its synthesis under high-frequency oscillation.

I believe these were some kind of electromagnetic waves.

You must prove that! What's the formula for Krakatit?

Pb-Ar4.

What? What did you say?

- Pb-Ar4. - Pb tetra-argon? How many?

- Two. — How's it made? What's the process?

The procedure! How's Krakatit made?

- Why do you want to know? - Never mind.

You've had a nightmare. Rest, my friend.

Who's there?

OFF TO SEE MY FATHER. UNLESS I GET THE MONEY, I'M NOT COMING BACK. J.

- Does Mr Tomesh live here? - Come in.

- Mr Tomesh isn't in? - He left.

- Last night, Miss. - Where did he go?

- He went to see his father. - Will he return?

Do you think he'll do it?

It's so dreadful!

He doesn't know that someone…

He doesn't have to do it, you see?

If someone goes to him today.

I've got to give him something. A letter from someone.

So that… I can't tell you.

There's no need. I'll go to him and give it to him.

We're old friends, you know?

Is it raining?

I trust you.

You'll save him, won't you?

I'd be pleased to do it.

I, Miss… It's not worth mentioning.

Thank you very much.

The letter.

- But you're injured! Let me see. - It's nothing serious.

Just a small cut that got inflamed, you see?

But you can't go anywhere like this.

Let me go. Why I'm…

I'm doing it for you.

I'm so grateful to you.

Goodbye.

- Should I give him your regards? - No. Goodbye.

My diagnosis was correct. It's meningitis.

We'll give him 4,000 units of penicillin.

And the oxygen so that he doesn't stop breathing.

It's such a pity we don't know who he is.

The poor man doesn't even have a name.

Take me to Tynice, please.

- I can't. - Why?

The car's full.

But…

But I've got to see Doctor Tomesh.

- Are you his patient? - I'm sick.

Sit over here then.

Gee!

This is where Doctor Tomesh lives.

Be quiet, Jack!

- Is the doctor in? - Come in.

- What seems to be the trouble, young man? — I…

The thing is… Is your son home?

He isn't. What's the matter with you?

Jiri…

I'm his friend, bringing him…

I'm to give him… It's very important.

Jiri's in Prague. You'd better sit down, man.

Jiri isn't home?

But he said he was coming here.

I've got to give him…

Bring a chair, Annie!

Long wandering.

Long wandering.

Come now! You've had enough sleep, don't you think?

Wake up, that's enough!

Or you'll wake up in the other world.

What do you want and who are you?

You haven't taken cognizance of me, have you?

- I'm Doctor Tomesh. - I'm Prokop.

I thought you were Sleeping Beauty. Besides, how did you get here?

- Where here? - Here in Tynice.

You came here in a delirium and then you passed out.

Where did you come from, man?

I don't know. From Prague, I suppose.

With meningitis and pneumonia on top.

And what about your hand? Fine blood poisoning indeed!

You shouldn't be going on trips like this.

As soon as you get better, I'll tell you that you were an ass.

Forgive me, I almost said something much worse.

How are you feeling?

A bit stupefied, eh? No memory?

It'll take some time. You mustn't rack your brain.

Understand? It'll come back. Little by little.

Stay awake, damn it! Fetch some wine, Annie.

Hey, wake up, mister! You could fall asleep for good, you hear me?