THE WHITE PLAGUE (BÍLÁ NEMOC) Czech Literature in Czech Film

The only thing stopping Marshal Zdenek Stepanek, dictator of a mythical country, from starting
his long-dreamed-of expansionist war is the deadly disease devastating the populace-but then
slum doctor Hugo Haas discovers the cure. One hitch: his price is peacel But there’s still a final,
ironic twist. The last Czech feature made before the German takeover, a tour-de-force for erstwhile
comedy star Haas (later a Hollywood character actor), and adapted from one of the final plays of
Karel Capek, author of the worldwide hit HUR., and inventor of the term “robot.”