The Portrait (1948): cast, story & where to watch
1948 · Film
Released in 1948, The Portrait is a fantasy film directed by Jiří Slavíček, running about 87 minutes.
What it’s about. 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.
Who’s in it. The Portrait stars Otomar Krejča as Simon Jordán / Stepán Jordán, Luba Skořepová as Martina Jordánová, Vladimír Šmeral as Painter Roman and Ladislav Kulhánek as Professor Mikulás, among others.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Portrait page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Portrait tend to enjoy The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Green Mile, Spirited Away and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Portrait (1948)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Portrait change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Who stars in The Portrait?
- The Portrait stars Otomar Krejča, Luba Skořepová, Vladimír Šmeral, Ladislav Kulhánek and Karel Dostal.
- When was The Portrait released?
- The Portrait was released in 1948, with a runtime of about 87 minutes.