Zoltan Kellner British director, screenwriter and producer Date of Birth: 03.06.1895 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Career
2. Filmmaking Beginnings
3. Adventure Films and Documentary Success
4. Hollywood and Later Career
5. Personal Life and Legacy

Early Life and Career

Zoltán Korda was born in Hungary into a Jewish family within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the younger brother of renowned filmmakers Alexander and Vincent Korda. He initially sought training under Alexander in the United Kingdom, where his brother operated his film production company.

Filmmaking Beginnings

Korda began his career as both a screenwriter and cinematographer. He directed two silent short films in Hungary in 1918 and 1920, and a silent feature film in Germany in 1927. In London, he made his sound film debut with the drama "Men of Tomorrow" (1932) and gained recognition with "Sanders of the River" (1935), starring Leslie Banks and Paul Robeson. The latter was a critical and commercial success, earning a Best Picture nomination at the Venice Film Festival.

Adventure Films and Documentary Success

As a former cavalry officer, Korda delved into the genre of adventure war films, often set in Africa or India. His films often explored the perspectives of indigenous populations within the British Empire. His directorial effort "The Four Feathers" (1939), starring Ralph Richardson, is considered one of his finest works. It was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 1939 Cannes Film Festival and was later restored and screened in 2002.

Hollywood and Later Career

In 1940, Korda joined his brother Alexander in Hollywood. Working through United Artists, he served as executive producer on the production of "The Thief of Bagdad." Korda spent the rest of his life in Southern California, directing seven more films, including the acclaimed World War II drama "Sahara" (1943), starring Humphrey Bogart, and "A Woman's Vengeance" (1947) with Charles Boyer and Jessica Tandy.

Personal Life and Legacy

From 1930 until his death, Korda was married to Joan Gardner, with whom he had a son named David. The colorful history of his family was chronicled in the book "Charmed Lives" by his nephew, Michael Korda. Korda struggled with tuberculosis and retired in 1955. He passed away in Hollywood in 1961 after a prolonged illness and was laid to rest at Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery. His great-great-grandson is Cosmo Korda-Dury, the son of musician Baxter Dury and grandson of Ian Dury.