What Is Krakatit About?
The premise of Krakatit in 311 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the twilight of an empire, early‑20th‑century Czechoslovakia teeters between hopeful modernity and the lingering shadows of conflict. Snow‑covered villages give way to bustling factories, and the air hums with the promise of scientific progress while whispers of unrest drift through cafés and lecture halls. The film’s visual language blends stark realism with a dream‑like haze, creating a world that feels both grounded and unsettlingly schematic, as if every street corner might conceal a secret formula.
Prokop, a brilliant but gravely ill chemist, lies drifting between consciousness and fevered recollection. He is haunted by the memory of a breakthrough—an explosive of astonishing power he has named krakatit, after the volcanic cataclysm that once reshaped the planet. As he pieces together the fragments of his discovery, he is visited by figures from his past: an old university classmate, Jiří, who bears the weight of forgotten promises, and a mysterious veiled woman whose brief encounter leaves an indelible impression. Their conversations swirl with cryptic hints, scientific curiosity, and an undercurrent of moral ambiguity.
The atmosphere is thick with the tension between creation and destruction. Krakatit, as a concept, embodies both the awe of human ingenuity and the dread of its potential misuse. The narrative hints at how such a potent invention might slip from the hands of its creator into the grasp of those who would wield it for chaos, echoing the era’s anxieties about technological warfare and anarchist fervor. Yet the story never rushes to judgment; instead, it lingers on the internal struggle of a scientist who must confront the consequences of his own brilliance.
Through Prokop’s fevered visions and the subtle pull of the strangers who surround him, the film invites viewers to contemplate the fragile line between genius and ruin, the allure of power, and the lingering question of whether a single invention can reshape the fate of a continent.
What Happens in Krakatit?
The complete story of Krakatit, from the first scene to the last, in 595 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
A barely conscious, unidentified man is brought into intensive care, where a doctor and a nurse tend to severe burns on his hands and decide to administer oxygen. The scene quickly shifts to a delirious street episode, where the man encounters an old classmate named Jiří Tomeš. The man, who is revealed to be Karel Höger as Prokop, speaks incoherently about a blast and something he calls krakatit.
In a dreamlike sequence, a university professor questions Prokop about krakatit. He explains that it is a powerful explosive named after Krakatoa and even recites a rough formula, a detail that Jiří secretly notes down. When Prokop wakes, he finds his door answered by a veiled woman who asks him to carry a letter to Jiří. We soon follow Prokop as he travels to visit Jiří’s countryside doctor father, aided briefly by an old mail carrier who helps him through the snow. Prokop’s strength falters, and he collapses, leaving him to be cared for by the doctor and his daughter, Anči. During his slow recovery, Prokop cannot recall what happened, and the memory remains shrouded until he reads a newspaper story about krakatit being marketed by a mysterious figure named Carson.
Eduard Linkers as Carson explains that Jiří had sold Prokop’s krakatit stock and the accompanying formula to Balttin Works, a distant weapons company. Their experiments reveal that krakatit can be detonated remotely via high-frequency signals, but they lack the practical production method. They press Prokop to work with them, offering employment to continue the research. When Prokop refuses, Balttin forces him to the royal Balttin palace to work in a chemical laboratory.
At the palace, Prokop enters a burgeoning romance with a princess, commonly referred to as Wilhelmina Hagen, a relationship that becomes entwined with his obsession. Yet his heart also yearns for the veiled woman he met earlier, whom he cannot forget. The Balttin executives propose a dangerous bargain: Prokop would be granted a marriage arrangement with the princess if he surrenders krakatit. Enraged, Prokop destroys the laboratory where he has been held, and with his coat loaded with explosives, he confronts the princess—whose face dissolves in the chaos. He manages to escape the palace with assistance from an ambassador, Jiří Plachý, who portrays the d’Hémon figure.
On the run, they encounter a secret circle of former world leaders and profiteers who worship war and hail Prokop as “Comrade Krakatit.” As the crowd scrambles for the krakatit powder, Prokop and d’Hémon slip away and briefly cross paths with the veiled woman once more. They ascend to the top of a hill made of magnetite, where Prokop’s old laboratory has been relocated to a hidden radio station. There, d’Hémon persuades Prokop to press a button, unleashing stockpiles of krakatit to explode across European capitals. The explosions are so powerful that they seem to foreshadow a controllable war, a plan that shatters Prokop’s trust as d’Hémon vanishes.
Alone, Prokop finds himself in a bleak, concrete landscape and eventually reaches an enclosed factory. He asks to see Jiří Tomeš and is refused, but he does meet a lab assistant, to whom he hands the letter from the veiled woman. He then walks away as the factory explodes in the distance. An old mail carrier appears again, offering a lift and urging Prokop to invent something that makes people’s lives easier instead of killing them. Back at the hospital, the doctor reports that Prokop’s breathing has returned to normal and that the oxygen mask can be removed, signaling a rare moment of peace after a harrowing chain of choices.
Krakatit Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Emergency care and oxygen” to “Return toward civilization and a cautious hope”. 15 events name a place, across 12 locations.
- 1
Emergency care and oxygen
A barely conscious man is placed under intensive care by a doctor and a nurse. His hands show severe burns and cuts, and the doctor orders oxygen to stabilize him. This opening establishes Prokop's frail condition as the mystery begins.
When:immediately after admission Where:Hospital
- 2
Delirious street walk and a greeting
The delirious man wanders along a city street, muttering and disoriented. An old classmate, Jiří Tomeš, greets him and they confirm the man's name is Prokop. He babbles about an explosion and something he calls krakatit.
When:shortly after Where:City street
- 3
Jiří brings Prokop home
Jiří escorts Prokop to his apartment and puts him to bed. Recovery is slow and Prokop's memory remains hazy, with the earlier clues about krakatit still unclear. The scene deepens the mystery of what happened to him.
When:same day Where:Jiří's apartment
- 4
Dream about krakatit and its formula
In a dream, a university professor questions Prokop about krakatit and its significance. He explains that it is a powerful explosive and sketches a formula. When he awakens, Jiří has written down the formula.
When:during dream Where:Prokop's dream
- 5
A note and a veiled visitor
Prokop wakes alone in Jiří's apartment to a note saying Jiří has gone to see his father. A veiled woman rings the bell, begging him to deliver a letter to Jiří. Still unsettled, Prokop decides to visit Jiří's father.
When:after waking Where:Jiří's apartment
- 6
Lift to the countryside and a revelation
An old mail carrier offers Prokop a lift to the countryside to visit Jiří's father. On the way, he learns that Jiří has not visited his father in a long time. Upon arriving, Prokop collapses.
When:that day Where:Countryside
- 7
Slow recovery and memory gaps
Prokop slowly recovers under the care of the countryside doctor and his daughter Anči, but his memory remains fragmented. He still cannot recall the events that led to his illness, leaving krakatit's origin unresolved.
When:weeks later Where:Countryside clinic
- 8
Newspaper memory and the name Carson
A newspaper story about krakatit—promoted by a man named Carson from Balttin Works—reawakens Prokop's memory. He remembers the laboratory explosion and hurries to confront those involved. The trail ties Jiří to the broader krakatit conspiracy.
When:later Where:City/Prokop's location
- 9
Carson's offer and forced relocation
Carson explains Balttin's interest: they have Prokop's stock of krakatit and the formula but lack the production method. They offer him employment to aid their research, and Prokop declines, but they forcibly bring him to the Balttin palace to work in a chemical laboratory.
When:present Where:Balttin palace
- 10
Romance and a dangerous attraction
In the palace, Prokop begins a romance with Princess Wilhelmina Hagen. He also realizes his true attraction to the veiled woman from Jiří's apartment, complicating his loyalties and emotions within captivity.
When:during stay Where:Balttin palace
Show the other 5 events of Krakatit Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Threats, explosions, and a startling confrontation
The Balttin executive offers to arrange Prokop's marriage to the princess if he provides krakatit. In anger, Prokop detonates the laboratory and, with his coat loaded with explosives, confronts the princess, whose face dissolves in the blast. He escapes amidst chaos.
When:immediately after Where:Balttin palace laboratory
- 12
Escape to a war-worshiping enclave
Prokop escapes with help from an ambassador named d'Hémon and visits a secret society of former world leaders and weapon dealers who worship war. They hail Prokop as Comrade Krakatit. As turmoil erupts, a can of krakatit spills and members scramble to seize the powder for themselves.
When:after escape Where:Secret society hall
- 13
Radio station atop magnetite and global detonations
D'Hémon leads Prokop to the top of a hill of magnetite, where Prokop's old laboratory has become a secret radio station. Prokop is forced to push a button, triggering stockpiles of krakatit to explode across European capitals. D'Hémon explains that the explosions are meant to spark a controllable war.
When:climax Where:Hill of magnetite / radio station
- 14
Desolate pursuit and a distant laboratory
Prokop finds himself in a desolate, concrete landscape and seeks Jiří Tomeš at a relocated laboratory. He is refused entry but is allowed to meet a lab assistant to whom he gives the veiled woman's letter. The factory back at the distance explodes, signaling widespread devastation.
When:after detonations Where:Desolate landscape / Jiří's distant laboratory
- 15
Return toward civilization and a cautious hope
An old mail carrier reappears and gives Prokop a lift back toward civilization. The driver suggests he should invent something that makes people's lives easier instead of killing them. Back at the hospital, the doctor notes that the patient is breathing normally and the oxygen mask can be removed.
When:ending Where:Hospital
Who Are the Main Characters in Krakatit?
9 characters, among them Prokop — Karel Höger, Jiří Tomeš — Miroslav Homola and Anna Tomeš — Nataša Tanská: who each one is and the part they play in the story. 8 of them link to the actor’s page.
- P—
Prokop — Karel Höger
Played by Karel Höger
A brilliant chemist whose body bears the trauma of an explosion, Prokop becomes the central figure around which Krakatit's fate revolves. His delirious recall and dream-filled insights into the explosive formula reveal a mind deeply entangled with his invention. Torn between love for the veiled woman and the lure of power offered by Balttin, he grapples with ethical responsibility. When pressed by those who would weaponize his creation, he embodies both potential savior and dangerous catalyst.
- 🧪 Scientist
- 💥 Destructive power
- ❤️ Love
- 🧭 Ethical conflict
- JT
Jiří Tomeš — Miroslav Homola
Played by Miroslav Homola
Prokop's old classmate who anchors him in a familiar world and helps him navigate memory and danger. He is the conduit through which Prokop's past and the krakatit formula surface, eventually recording the essence of the discovery. His care and assistance bridge personal loyalty with the broader consequences of invention. His actions connect the protagonist to both ordinary life and extraordinary risk.
- 🎓 Friend
- 🧭 Memory
- 🧪 Curiosity
- AT
Anna Tomeš — Nataša Tanská
Played by Nataša Tanská
The doctor's daughter Anči, who tends Prokop alongside her father. She embodies compassion and steadiness, providing a humane counterpoint to the escalating threat of Krakatit. Her presence anchors Prokop to ordinary human connections and reminds him of the value of care amid chaos. She becomes a symbol of resilience in a world on the edge of war.
- 👩⚕️ Caregiver
- 🏥 Support
- ❤️ Love
- TD
The Doctor — Jaroslav Zrotal
Played by Jaroslav Zrotal
A countryside physician who treats Prokop and helps him regain memory. He provides practical care and moral grounding, representing the humane impulse amid scientific and political turmoil. The doctor is a steady, compassionate presence that keeps Prokop connected to life beyond invention. His role emphasizes the cost of science on human lives.
- 👨⚕️ Doctor
- 🩺 Healer
- TN
The Nurse — Jiřina Petrovická
Played by Jiřina Petrovická
A nurse who attends Prokop during his hospital recovery, aiding his return to normalcy. She embodies routine care and the quiet dignity of medical support in a time of upheaval. Her presence reinforces the theme that human touch and kindness persist even as powerful forces seek to harness dangerous knowledge.
- 👩⚕️ Nurse
- 🏥 Care
- C—
Carson — Eduard Linkers
Played by Eduard Linkers
A representative of Balttin Works who explains the corporate interest in Krakatit and offers Prokop a path into their research. He embodies corporate opportunism, emphasizing profit over ethical considerations. Carson's persistence highlights how industry can instrumentalize scientific genius for strategic advantage and exploitation.
- 💼 Corporate
- 🧪 Science
- 🗡 Exploitation
- D—
D'Hémon — Jiří Plachý
Played by Jiří Plachý
Ambassador D'Hémon helps Prokop escape and guides him into a wider, clandestine world that worships war. He represents political maneuvering and the allure of power on an international stage. His actions push Prokop toward existential choices about control, responsibility, and the future of Krakatit.
- 🕊️ Diplomacy
- 🌐 Global
- PW
Princess Wilhelmina Hagen — Florence Marly
Played by Florence Marly
A royal figure who becomes romantically involved with Prokop during his stay at the Balttin palace. Her relationship with Prokop adds a personal dimension to the power dynamics surrounding Krakatit. Her presence punctuates the tension between personal desire and political scheming in a world on the brink of conflict.
- 👑 Royalty
- ❤️ Love
- 🕊️ Romance
- VW
Veiled Woman
A mysterious, unnamed figure who rings Prokop's doorbell and becomes the object of his affection. Her identity remains shrouded, suggesting a deeper influence on Prokop beyond appearances. She epitomizes the unknown forces steering the protagonist toward choices with far-reaching consequences.
- 💘 Mystery
- 🕵️♀️ Enigma
Where and When Is Krakatit Set?
Krakatit is set in Jiří's apartment, Balttin Palace, Balttin laboratory, countryside doctor's… (Early 20th century). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Early 20th century
The film is set in a rapidly modernizing Europe, where scientific breakthroughs coexist with political intrigue. It highlights the emergence of weaponized research and the influence of industrial power on society. The aura of the era foreshadows a shift toward large-scale conflict driven by technological advancement.
Where
Jiří's apartment, Balttin Palace, Balttin laboratory, countryside doctor's village, hospital, magnetite hill secret radio station
Locations shift from the intimate space of Jiří's apartment to the grandeur of Balttin Palace, illustrating the contrast between personal life and political power. Prokop's recovery unfolds in the countryside doctor's village and hospital, grounding the drama in human care. A Balttin laboratory and a secret radio station atop a magnetite hill become focal points where science and geopolitics intersect. The settings collectively reveal a world where invention, power, and secrecy shape destiny.
- 🏰 Palaces
- 🏥 Hospitals
- 🏞 Rural settings
- 🧪 Laboratories
What Are the Themes of Krakatit?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Power, Ethics and Fate.
-
01
Power
Krakatit's potential to wreak mass destruction becomes a mirror for human ambition. Prokop's invention attracts Balttin's greed, exposing how knowledge can be commodified by those who do not bear its burden. The secret society's worship of war reveals a societal addiction to conflict that profits from fear. The story questions whether technology should be allowed to shape destiny, or if humanity should resist it.
-
02
Ethics
Prokop's dilemma pits personal freedom against potential annihilation. The exploitation by corporate interests shows the moral cost of scientific breakthroughs. The attractions and betrayals around the weapon's development highlight the risk of dehumanizing power. The ending implies a tension between constructive invention and destructive exploitation.
-
03
Fate
Prokop's fate seems to be manipulated by hidden forces—the weapon dealers and a network of elites who profit from war. The title Krakatit and the secret society suggest a destiny dictated by those who wield power, rather than by the individual inventor alone. The detonations across Europe create a sense of inexorable consequence that haunts the characters.
What Kind of Film Is Krakatit?
Dark in tone, with variable pacing and a very complex story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Variable
- Story
- Very complex
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A feverish and paranoid descent into delirium, this film follows a scientist haunted by his horrific explosive invention through a shifting landscape of conspiracy and moral decay, creating a dark and oppressive psychological thriller.
- feverish
- dreamlike
- paranoid
- oppressive
- delirious
- anxious
- scientific hubris
- weapons of mass destruction
- conspiracy
- responsibility
Content notes: explosions, severe burns, psychological manipulation, weapons proliferation, mass destruction.
Quiz
How well do you remember Krakatit? Test yourself on the story.
