Alexander Korda’s Talented Team

The basis of Korda’s success was the professional finish of his films and his talented film team.

In this team he included his brothers, Zoltan Korda(1895 –1961) and Vincent Korda(1897 –1979). The three Korda brothers in fact constituted a colourful, though sometimes volatile squad. Zoltan, for instance, had left-wing views that made him differ from his older brother Alexander with his pro-imperialist and jingoistic inclinations. Despite this, Zoltan directed Elephant Boy (1937) and many other films for Alexander; and Vincent, a trained painter and art director, was Production Designer for The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933) and other films.

To infuse freshness, Alexander also scouted for new talent. Among those he spotted and inducted into his team were two fellow Hungarians – story and screenplay writer Lajos Biros and the talented and experienced music composer Miklos Rozsa. Some other professionals with conspicuous ability he worked with were: French cinematographer Georges Perinal, pioneering documentary film-maker Robert Flaherty, Canadian cameraman Osmond Borradaile and British cinematographer Jack Cardiff.

His team also enabled him to try out new actors and actresses in his films.

The above findings are part of the research which ensued in the project – A Hidden Heritage: Indo-British Film Collaboration (1930-1951)