Invention for Destruction (1958)

 Karel Zeman's "Invention for Destruction"


Karel Zeman's 1958 Czechoslovakian film "Invention for Destruction" is one of the most visually striking films I've ever seen. The uniqueness of its visual format stems from its intentional likeness to Victorian-era illustrations. The visual renderings combine live actors with various forms of animation and designed effects, even mimicking the Victoria-era line engravings. 

The reason for this exacting likeness is due to the story being based on the works of Jules Verne, particularly his 1896 novel, "Facing the Flag." The film focuses on a scientist's assistant who, along with the scientist, is captured by a gang of pirates working for the sinister Count Artigas. Artigas plans on using the scientist's works in order to make a futuristic weapon to enact world domination. 

The unique visual style is one of a kind, and is perhaps the most significant driving force in the film's execution. There is a certain Victorian gothic aesthetic mixed with a quant Wes Anderson-esque charm that elevates the story to something beyond its plot. Of course, the main thematic point of the story centers around the dangers in evolving technology and how certain individuals or organizations can use newfound technology to poach resources, create conflicts, and secure power. These themes fit neatly with its visual style, as many of these same themes can be found in works of Victorian-era novels, like Verne or Shelley. On top of this, these themes are ultimately timely for a global atmosphere emerging out of a post-war landscape with nuclear weapons becoming a primary concern. 

The only negative comments I have about the film is its pace. The story can seem to plod along at rather a dull pace. Its a relatively simple story made all the more engaging by its visual features, but even these features can't assist with the slow pacing. It starts to become predictable by the film's end. That being said, "Invention for Destruction" is still a work that should be seen by any film scholar or lover of visually creative cinema. 



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