The Cabinet of Jan Švankmajer

1984 0h 14m EN

👍

6.9

SOLID

★6.9TMDB · 44

Animation

Synopsis

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In Prague, a professorial puppet, with metal pincers for hands and an open book for a hat, takes a boy as a pupil. First, the professor empties fluff and toys from the child's head, leaving him without the top of his head for most of the film. The professor then teaches the lad about illusions and perspectives, the pursuit of an object through exploring a bank of drawers, divining an object, and the migration of forms. The child then brings out a box with a tarantula in it: the professor puts his "hands" into the box and describes what he feels. The boy receives a final lesson about animation and film making; then the professor gives him a brain and his own open-book hat.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Keith Griffiths
Languages: No Language
Countries: United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

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Fun facts 🍿

1 / 6

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 14-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 6

ERA

Did you know

42 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 6

RUNTIME

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 6

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Keith Griffiths, shot by Stephen Quay. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 6

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0087016 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 6

WILD

Did you know

Only 44 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Keith Griffiths directs. Stephen Quay behind the camera. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United Kingdom. Dialogue in No Language.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 14-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
242 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
4Directed by Keith Griffiths, shot by Stephen Quay. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5IMDB entry: tt0087016 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
6Only 44 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.