Sir Alexander Korda, a prominent figure in the British film industry, was one of a large group of Hungarian refugees who found refuge in England during the 1930s. He was the first British film producer to receive a knighthood, and his impact on the industry was significant, lasting until his death in 1956.
Born and raised in Hungary, Korda learned his craft by working in studios in Austria, Germany, and America, developing his skills as a crafty and flamboyant businessman. In 1933, he founded his production company, London Films, which would go on to produce some of Britain's finest films.
One of London Films' earliest and most notable productions was The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933),which received an Oscar nomination for Best Picture and won the Best Actor Oscar for its star, Charles Laughton. Korda's willingness to experiment and take risks allowed the flowering of talents such as Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, and gave early breaks to notable directors like Laurence Olivier, David Lean, and Carol Reed.
Korda's company, London Films, was also known for its collaborations with his brothers, Zoltan Korda (director) and Leila Rubin (art director),as well as other expatriate Hungarians. Despite not all of their films being commercial successes, London Films produced a number of critically acclaimed films that are still remembered and celebrated today.
In the 1950s, Korda sold his library to television, allowing the iconic London Films logo of Big Ben to become familiar to a new generation of film enthusiasts. Throughout his career, Korda was a guiding force behind the British film industry, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to be felt in the world of cinema.
