The Mystery of Dr Martinu

The Mystery of Dr Martinu presents a cinematic portrait of the Czech composer Bohuslav Martinu through an unconventional, two act narrative. The first act unfolds as a looping dream that places the artist at the center of a shifting landscape of memory and music. The second act shifts gears into a Freudian style examination of that dream, inviting interpretation about creativity, identity, and the pressures of a life in art. Across these halves, Patrick Ryecart embodies Martinu while Shauna Baird portrays Charlotte Martinu and other supporting figures, grounding the dream fantasy in a personal biography. The film blends surreal imagery with biographical detail while avoiding spoilers about its revelations. The film uses dream imagery to mirror his music.

Directed by Ken Russell, this 1993 TV movie dramatizes the life of Bohuslav Martinu. Patrick Ryecart stars as Martinu, with Shauna Baird as Charlotte and Martin Friend as Professor Mirisch. The production mirrors Russell's penchant for mood and musical layering.

Critical response to the film was mixed, with praise for Russell's bold visual approach and the cast's restrained performance, while some viewers found the dream structure opaque. Thematically the film examines memory, artistic identity, and how biography is shaped by inner interpretation. Its themes linger as the credits roll on.