Born in the year 1924, Dirk De Villiers, a South African filmmaker, boasts an impressive professional career spanning many decades, making him the South African filmmaker with the longest professional career.
He began his career primarily as an actor, starring in notable productions such as Ivan Hall's Kruger Millions. In this film, he played the role of a traitorous member of the Cavalier suicide commando, who attempts to thwart the plans to mint gold coins by disposing of them in the Blyde River Canyon.
His first feature film as a director was the light comedy Jy Is My Liefling, which starred Franz Marx and Min Shaw. Additionally, he played the role of Franz Marx's boss in the film. Following this, he went on to direct one of his finest films, Die Geheim Van Nantes, an adaptation of the famous Springbok Radio serial. The film featured the entire voice cast, including Pieter Hauptfleisch, Francois Du Bruyn, Dawid Swart, and Raedawn Stevens.
Among his notable films are the 1972 thriller My Broer Se Bril, the adoption drama Met Liefde Van Adele (1974),the adventure film The Virgin Goddess (1974),and the euthanasia-oriented drama Decision To Die (1978). He also achieved international success with films such as Glenda (1976) and The Diamond Hunters (1976),based on the book by Wilbur Smith, starring David McCallum and Hayley Mills.
Dirk De Villiers was honored at the 2008 Klein Karoo Arts Festival for his significant contribution to the South African film industry.
