Internationally recognized as superior filmmakers, the Korda brothers – Alexander, Zoltán and Vincent – made an indelible mark on the film industries in their native Hungary, as well as in Austria, Germany, the U.S., France and, especially, Great Britain.

Alexander (1893-1956), the oldest and best-known of the siblings, set a new standard for excellence in English films by producing and directing such classics as the lavish biographical dramas The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933) and Rembrandt (1936), both starring Charles Laughton. He was knighted in 1942 for his distinguished service to British cinema.

Zoltán (1895-1961), a screenwriter/producer/director, reached the peak of his accomplishments with his direction of The Four Feathers (1939), produced by Alexander and considered by many the ultimate British-made Empire adventure. Vincent (1897-1979) served as art director on many of his brothers' films (as well as those of other filmmakers), winning an Oscar® for the sets of The Thief of Bagdad (1940), which was produced by Alexander.

The brothers were born on the outskirts of Turkeve on the Great Hungarian Plain. Alexander entered Hungary's film industry in 1912 and within a few years had become one of his country's most important filmmakers. After fleeing to Vienna for political reasons in 1919, he moved on to Berlin, Hollywood, Paris and London. Three of his films from the early 1930s are being shown in their TCM premieres: Marius (France, 1931), Wedding Rehearsal and Reserved for Ladies (both UK, 1932). Vincent handled art direction on the former two.

Alexander's other hits, complete with production designs by Vincent, included That Hamilton Woman (1941), Vacation from Marriage (1945) and, as producer, The Third Man (1949). Through the 1950s, Zoltán continued to direct such films as Cry, the Beloved Country (1951) and Storm Over the Nile (1955), both enjoying their TCM premieres.

by Roger Fristoe