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Poster for The Portrait

The Portrait (1948)

★ 7.7/10 87 min Fantasy, Horror Czechoslovakia Czech
Screenplay by: František Vlček
Creative Producer: Martin Frič
Short Story: Nikolai Gogol
Streaming: Not available

Description

People are afraid of the usurer Chazaj and are convinced that he is the bearer of evil. One day Chazaj pays a visit to the poor artist Simon Jordán and asks him to paint his portrait. Simon agrees but as he progresses with the work his mind conjures up terrible thoughts and in the end he commits suicide. The portrait looks lifelike and Chazaj is content with the results. After Chazaj's death the picture changes hands and brings misfortune to all who own it. The last victim is the young painter Roman who buys Chazaj's portrait in a bazaar. He finds a treasure in the frame and begins to live well off it. The comfortable life suits him so well that he rejects his original artistic aims and becomes a painter of fashionable kitsch.

Top Cast

Otomar Krejča
Otomar Krejča Simon Jordán / Stepán Jordán
Luba Skořepová
Luba Skořepová Martina Jordánová
Vladimír Šmeral
Vladimír Šmeral Painter Roman
Ladislav Kulhánek Professor Mikulás
Karel Dostal
Karel Dostal Extortioner Chazaj
Rudolf Deyl
Rudolf Deyl Jáchym
Felix le Breux
Felix le Breux Marcel Bernard
Růžena Šlemrová
Růžena Šlemrová Mrs. Viktorová

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