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The Secret Life of Nikola Tesla

Original title: Tajna Nikole Tesle
  • 1980
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
Petar Bozovic in The Secret Life of Nikola Tesla (1980)
BiographyDrama

Life and times of Nikola Tesla, famous scientist whose inventions were stolen, but whose greatest contribution to mankind remain a mystery to this day.Life and times of Nikola Tesla, famous scientist whose inventions were stolen, but whose greatest contribution to mankind remain a mystery to this day.Life and times of Nikola Tesla, famous scientist whose inventions were stolen, but whose greatest contribution to mankind remain a mystery to this day.

  • Director
    • Krsto Papic
  • Writers
    • Ivo Bresan
    • Ivan Kusan
    • Krsto Papic
  • Stars
    • Petar Bozovic
    • Orson Welles
    • Oja Kodar
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    1.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Krsto Papic
    • Writers
      • Ivo Bresan
      • Ivan Kusan
      • Krsto Papic
    • Stars
      • Petar Bozovic
      • Orson Welles
      • Oja Kodar
    • 19User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos57

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    Top cast29

    Edit
    Petar Bozovic
    • Nikola Tesla
    Orson Welles
    Orson Welles
    • J.P. Morgan
    Oja Kodar
    Oja Kodar
    • Catherine Johnson
    Strother Martin
    Strother Martin
    • George Westinghouse
    Dennis Patrick
    Dennis Patrick
    • Thomas Alva Edison
    Charles Millot
    Charles Millot
    • Adams
    Boris Buzancic
    • Robert Johnson
    Ana Karic
    • Djuka Mandic
    Edo Perocevic
    Edo Perocevic
    • Kolman Czito
    Zvonko Strmac
    Lojze Rozman
    Igor Galo
    • Guglielmo Marconi
    Vanja Drach
    • Mark Twain
    Marijan Lovric
    • Milutin Tesla
    • (as Marjan Lovric)
    Petar Dobric
    Zvonimir Torjanac
      Branko Spoljar
      Zorko Rajcic
      • Director
        • Krsto Papic
      • Writers
        • Ivo Bresan
        • Ivan Kusan
        • Krsto Papic
      • All cast & crew
      • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

      User reviews19

      7.21.5K
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      Featured reviews

      rhenz

      Mark Twain tries Tesla's "Electrotherapeutic Device"

      Tesla also applied his resonance engines in bizarre forms of physical therapy. He created machines that flooded the human body with electrical currents and strong vibrations, intended to soothe aches and promote healing. And Tesla wasn't just the inventor of the "electrotherapeutic" device -- he was also a client. He reportedly became somewhat addicted to administering the treatment to himself, insisting that a session with the machine rejuvenated him on his long stretches of work without food or sleep. Tesla once let his friend Samuel Clemens try out the healing machine. The author is said to have enjoyed the experience tremendously -- until the vibrations brought him a case of spontaneous diarrhea. Tesla marketed this invention, and the Tesla Electrotherapeutic Company was one of the few commercial enterprises of his old age that was marginally successful.
      7plissken-11

      Must see for Tesla fans

      I was suprised they had made a Tesla movie. The beginning is interesting because it is like a documentary of what different people think of Tesla now. Then the movie starts and it is pretty good. It drags a bit though. The actor who plays Tesla does well. I don't recommend it to people who don't know anything about Tesla, but I think people that know about Tesla and his work will like this
      7jch_031241

      Fascinating film despite lousy editing

      This could have been a 10 rating if it were not for the amateurish production quality.

      Tesla's genius is the stuff of science fiction where a being of superior intelligence finds its way to earth. But it isn't fiction at all. It is a story based on highly documented work and interviews with people who knew Tesla personally and observed, first hand, demonstrations of his concepts put to work.

      I would recommend this movie to those who have a natural curiosity about technology as well as to those interested in human behavior and the potential for new ideas to be thwarted by vested financial interests.

      One cannot see this film without thinking about the multi-billion dollar coal and oil businesses that would be impacted by the development of clean and cheap alternative energy sources.

      Given the fact that government is in the pocket of big money, the chances of another Tesla revolutionizing the energy industry must now be near zero!
      7tom834

      A unique genius as the dawn of the scientific revolution

      The movie's English title, "The Secret of Nikola Tesla" alludes to goofy claims made by Tesla in his declining years. In his 80s, Telsa made claims that scientists now doubt were valid. For example, Tesla claimed to have solved the unified field theory of gravity, but never published it. Other claims, like a death ray that could bring down enemy airplanes hundreds of miles away, gave Tesla the reputation of being a mad scientist.

      But Tesla should not be remembered for the eccentricities of his later years. As a young man, Tesla was indeed an amazing genius of electricity and magnetism who was eventually honored on the cover of Time Magazine. He designed in his brain a thing that every person reading these words has used every day of their lives, the electric AC motor. (Until this, alternating current couldn't run a motor!) Before the year 1900, he had invented the first radio transmitter, invented the spark plug, designed a radio controlled torpedo, created several kinds of fluorescent tube lights, designed generators for Edison, and created images of the bones of his hand prior to Röntgen's discovery of x-rays.

      I would encourage readers to see this movie about a very unique scientist. Particularly since every other comment here ignores the movie to make partisan political claims. Apparently this is why Yugoslavia was plunged in a bloody civil war.

      The Movie's English title "The Secret of Nikola Tesla" is misleading, but the amazing accomplishments of Tesla himself make this movie worth seeing.
      8medichrvat

      It's a Pretty Good Movie

      I have to say I don't agree with those who think the movie drags. I enjoyed it very much. There were a few points that were sort of background information that may or may not have fit in and perhaps could have been better supported and explained within the movie if they did fit. I don't want to say anything too specific to avoid spoilers.

      I think this was a good movie and would recommend it. I think the actors involved all did a very good job and I do not agree that it was a bad script. Sure, there is always room for improvement especially with older movies and perhaps to the viewpoint of someone who is from a different country than where a movie was created. I am very impressed with the overall presentation of this movie.

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      Related interests

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      Biography
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      Drama

      Storyline

      Edit

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        Penultimate film of Strother Martin.
      • Goofs
        Although set generally around 1900 (give or take several years), all the American flags have 50 stars. America didn't get its 50th state until 1959.
      • Quotes

        Nikola Tesla: Using direct current, you'd need over a hundred power stations to light up the city of New York, and even then, the outskirts are left in darkness because direct current cannot reach that far. But with my system, I guarantee that with just one power station can light the whole city, and the whole state as well. We are throwing the power given to us by Nature to the winds. Electric power, in its present form, is not only imperfect, it's unnatural. As I know you will agree, Mr. Edison, we are out of step with Nature's harmony. With alternating current, we are talking about energy in an undreamt of degree. We will build new power stations and demolish old ones. It's a giant step forward, it will transform the whole world!

      • Connections
        Featured in Phenomenon: The Lost Archives: Lost Lightning: The Missing Secrets of Nicola Tesla (1998)

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      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • February 19, 1980 (Yugoslavia)
      • Country of origin
        • Yugoslavia
      • Languages
        • English
        • Serbo-Croatian
      • Also known as
        • The Secret of Nikola Tesla
      • Production company
        • Zagreb Film
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Tech specs

      Edit
      • Runtime
        • 1h 55m(115 min)
      • Sound mix
        • Mono

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