The Physician of a Dying Time (1984)
Series about the life of Renaissance anatomist, scholar and politic Johannes Jessenius. Already legendary series today, was produced by Czechoslovak Television Bratislava, directed by Slovak director Miroslav Luther in the first half of 80's in Barrandov Studios in Prague. The story and screenplay of the series wrote Czech writer Vladimír Körner. Five-episodes epic historical narration is a biographical story of distinguished Renaissance scholar, anatomist and politic of Slovak origin, Johannes Jessenius (Ján Jesenský, 1566–1621). It displays his life from the first studies and successes. In 1594 he became professor of surgery and anatomy on Wittenberg University, which he had attended years before. From that moment, his life went through social and personal wins and losses, to the sad end on the Prague Old Town Square gallows, among 27 noblemen, knights and burgenses, after lose Bohemian Revolt in 1621. His destiny was coupled with key events of Czech history in the break of 16th and 17th century, when Renaissance and European humanism slowly fade out.
Seasons & Episode
Young Johannes Jessenius started studies and met Johannes Kepler. As a field surgeon he took part in war with Turks. Afterwards, he became professor of surgery and anatomy on Vittemberg University, where he met his wife.
Jessenius came to Prague. He was granted an audience with king Rudolf II. He managed to make the first public autopsy in the town. A body for the autopsy had got from hesitating executioner Mydlář. Jessenius became resident in Prague, and thereafter his wife came also to Prague.
Jessenius became physician in Carolinian University and personal physician of king Rudolf II. The plague stroke the town Prague. His healthy wife had been murdered throughout this time. He treated ill king Rudolf, and after his death, he embalmed him.
Jessenius had been dismissed by the new king Matthias. He spent next winter with woman Flora. After her death, he took care of their common daughter. He became rector of the Carolinian University. After Prague defenestration and outbreak of the Bohemian revolt, he had been appointed as a delegate of revolting side and got into Hungary.
The Jessenius’ mission failed. As the next new king, Frederick V had been elected. After Battle of White Mountain, the Bohemian revolt had been defeated. Jessenius with other 26 noblemen, knights and burgenses was executed on the Old Town Square in Prague by his acquaintance executioner Mydlář. Thirty Years’ War had begun…
