# Alexander Korda

> British film director (1893–1956)

**Wikidata**: [Q55221](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q55221)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Korda)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alexander-korda

## Summary
Alexander Korda was a British film director (1893–1956) who worked in both Hungary and the United Kingdom, contributing to cinema as a director, producer, and screenwriter. He was knighted for his services to film and is remembered for his work in Hollywood and European cinema.

## Biography
- Born: September 16, 1893, in Budapest, Hungary
- Nationality: Hungarian (by birth), British (by later citizenship)
- Education: Attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London
- Known for: Directing influential films in Hollywood and Europe, including adaptations of classic literature
- Employer(s): Korda Studios (Hungary), British film industry
- Field(s): Film direction, film production, screenwriting

## Contributions
- Directed over 100 films, including adaptations of works by Jane Austen, Leo Tolstoy, and Charles Dickens.
- Produced and directed *The Private Life of Henry VIII* (1933), a landmark film in British cinema.
- Founded Korda Studios in Hungary, which became a major film production hub.
- Worked on films such as *The Hound of the Baskervilles* (1939) and *The Thief of Bagdad* (1940), contributing to Hollywood’s Golden Age.
- Adapted *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* (1939) and *The Count of Monte Cristo* (1943), bringing classic literature to the screen.

## FAQs
**What was Alexander Korda's nationality?**
Alexander Korda was born in Hungary but later became a British citizen, working extensively in the British film industry.

**Where did Alexander Korda work?**
He worked at Korda Studios in Hungary and in the British film industry, directing and producing films for both domestic and international audiences.

**What films is Alexander Korda known for?**
He is known for directing adaptations of classic literature, including *The Private Life of Henry VIII*, *The Hound of the Baskervilles*, and *The Thief of Bagdad*.

**What awards did Alexander Korda receive?**
He was knighted for his services to film, receiving the title of Knight Bachelor in 1936.

**What was Korda Studios?**
Korda Studios was a film studio complex in Hungary that Alexander Korda founded, serving as a major production hub for European cinema.

## Why They Matter
Alexander Korda played a pivotal role in both Hungarian and British cinema, bridging the gap between European and Hollywood filmmaking. His adaptations of classic literature brought new audiences to these works, and his contributions to Korda Studios helped establish Hungary as a significant player in the film industry. His influence extended beyond his directorial work, shaping the careers of many actors and filmmakers. Without his innovations in film production and direction, the landscape of cinema in the mid-20th century would have been significantly different.

## Notable For
- Knighted for services to film (1936)
- Founder of Korda Studios, a major film production hub in Hungary
- Director of over 100 films, including adaptations of classic literature
- Worked in both Hungary and the United Kingdom, contributing to both European and Hollywood cinema
- Produced *The Private Life of Henry VIII*, a landmark film in British cinema

## Body
### Early Life and Career Beginnings
Alexander Korda was born on September 16, 1893, in Budapest, Hungary. He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, where he honed his skills in acting and directing. His early career began in Hungary, where he worked as a director and producer, establishing himself in the film industry.

### Founding Korda Studios
In 1914, Korda founded Korda Studios in Hungary, which became a major production hub for European cinema. The studio produced numerous films, including adaptations of classic literature, and contributed significantly to the film industry in Central Europe.

### Work in the British Film Industry
Korda later moved to the United Kingdom, where he continued his work as a director and producer. He became a British citizen and worked extensively in the British film industry, directing and producing films that gained international acclaim.

### Notable Film Directorial Work
Korda directed over 100 films, including adaptations of classic literature. Some of his most notable works include:
- *The Private Life of Henry VIII* (1933), a landmark film in British cinema.
- *The Hound of the Baskervilles* (1939), based on Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel.
- *The Thief of Bagdad* (1940), a fantasy adventure film.
- *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* (1939), an adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel.
- *The Count of Monte Cristo* (1943), based on Alexandre Dumas’ novel.

### Awards and Recognition
Korda was knighted for his services to film in 1936, receiving the title of Knight Bachelor. His contributions to cinema were widely recognized, and he is remembered as one of the most influential filmmakers of his time.

### Legacy and Influence
Alexander Korda’s work had a lasting impact on cinema, both in Hungary and the United Kingdom. His adaptations of classic literature brought new audiences to these works, and his contributions to Korda Studios helped establish Hungary as a significant player in the film industry. His influence extended beyond his directorial work, shaping the careers of many actors and filmmakers. Without his innovations in film production and direction, the landscape of cinema in the mid-20th century would have been significantly different.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. BnF authorities
3. Integrated Authority File
4. NNDB
5. [HOLLIS](https://id.lib.harvard.edu/alma/99156707908203941/catalog)
6. [HOLLIS](https://id.lib.harvard.edu/alma/99156570869703941/catalog)
7. www.acmi.net.au
8. International Standard Name Identifier
9. filmportal.de
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. CiNii Research
12. SNAC
13. The Black Book
14. Find a Grave
15. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
16. GeneaStar
17. Munzinger Personen
18. The Peerage
19. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
20. Autoritats UB
21. BBC Things
22. [Source](http://opac-nevter.pim.hu)
23. LIBRIS. 2013
24. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data
25. [Source](https://www.filmfestival.nl/persoon/alexander-korda)