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Karel ReiszBritish film director of Czechoslovak origin
Date of Birth: 21.07.1926
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Early Life and Escape from Nazi Persecution
- Education and Film Beginnings
- The British New Wave
- Critical Acclaim and Commercial Success
- Late Career and Theatre Work
- Personal Life
Early Life and Escape from Nazi Persecution
Karel Reisz, a British film director of Czechoslovakian descent, was born on July 21, 1926, in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia. He was one of 669 Jewish children saved from Nazi concentration camps by Sir Nicholas Winton.
At the age of twelve, Reisz was sent to England as part of Winton's Kindertransport. Settling in with foster parents, he witnessed the horrors of the Holocaust firsthand as his parents perished in Auschwitz.
Education and Film Beginnings
After attending Quaker school in Reading, Reisz served as a fighter pilot in the RAF during World War II. Post-war, he studied chemistry in Cambridge and film in London. His passion for filmmaking led him to write film criticism for magazines.
In 1952, he co-founded the film journal 'Sequence' and published 'The Technique of Film Editing.' Reisz became a key figure in the 'Free Cinema' movement, which sought to challenge conventional filmmaking.
The British New Wave
Reisz's early short documentaries, such as 'Momma Don't Allow' (1955), 'Every Day Except Christmas' (1957), and 'We Are the Lambeth Boys' (1959), showcased his social realism and innovative style.
In 1960, Reisz made his feature film debut with 'Saturday Night and Sunday Morning,' a groundbreaking depiction of working-class life in post-war Britain.
Critical Acclaim and Commercial Success
Reisz received critical acclaim for his psychological thriller 'Night Must Fall' (1964), starring Albert Finney. His greatest commercial success came with 'The French Lieutenant's Woman' (1981), an adaptation of John Fowles' novel starring Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons.
Late Career and Theatre Work
In his later years, Reisz transitioned to theatre, directing critically acclaimed productions of works by Ibsen, Rattigan, and Pinter. He remained active until his death in London on November 25, 2002, at the age of 76.
Personal Life
Reisz was married twice. His first marriage to Julia Coppard resulted in three sons. In 1963, he wed American actress Betsy Blair, who remained his wife until his passing.
