The Associated Press

PRAGUE (AP) — Czech movie director Otakar Vavra, who made his movies through the turbulent times of the 20th century, has died. He was 100.

The Czech public radio says Vavra died in Thursday in Prague.

Vavra directed some 50 movies from the 1930s, including 12 during the country's Nazi occupation. He continued after the Communists took power in 1948, with "Romance for Bugle" and "Witchhammer" in 1960s considered his best artistic achievements. But his critics say some of his movies were too close to the Communist ideology.

Vavra helped established Prague's FAMU film school in 1950s. Famed Czech directors Milos Forman and Jiri Menzel were among his students.