Josef von Sternberg
Director · 1894 – 1969 · Vienna, Austria
Josef von Sternberg, born Jonas Sternberg (29 May 1894 – 22 December 1969) was an Austrian-born film director and is among the few whose career successfully spanned the transition from the silent to the sound era. He is considered one of the earliest 'auteur' filmmakers, having filled many other roles on his films including those of cinematographer, screenwriter, and editor. Sternberg's style influenced later directors, particularly those of the film noir period. He is particularly noted for his distinctive mise en scène, use of lighting and soft lens, and collaboration with actress Marlene Dietrich. Among his most important works are The Blue Angel (1930), Morocco (1930), Shanghai Express (1932) and The Scarlet Empress (1934). Andrew Sarris in his influential book of film criticism The American Cinema: Directors and Directions 1929–1968 included him in the "pantheon" of the 14 greatest film directors who had worked in the United States.
Movies7
Movie6.8DramaWarFrom June 1944, twelve Japanese seamen are stranded for seven years on an abandoned and forgotten island called Anatahan.
Movie6.9DocumentaryThe story of the aborted 1937 filming of "I, Claudius", starring Charles Laughton, with all of its surviving footage.
The Epic That Never Was
1969 · 8 votes
Movie6.2DocumentaryA tour of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio in 1925 shows the people who make the movies there, and gives viewers a glimpse at how movies are made.
1925 Studio Tour
1925 · 20 votes
Movie5.4ComedyA restless young girl yearns to leave her rural environment and "get away from it all". One day she stumbles upon a film crew shooting a western near her home. She makes friends with the film's leading man, who encourages her to try her luck as an actress. So she leaves her small town and goes to the big city to break into the picture business. However, things don't turn out quite the way she planned.
A Girl's Folly
1917 · 4 votes
- Movie5.0Documentary
Made for BBC Television in 1967, this 20-minute documentary features a rare interview with the director and a unique demonstration of his lighting techniques.
The World of Josef von Sternberg
1967 · 1 votes
- Movie5.0Documentary
Speaking as scenes from Anatahan are shown, for which he directed, photographed, wrote, and provided voiceover narration, film director Josef von Sternberg takes the viewer on a fantastic filmmaking journey in this presentation of Cinéastes de notre temps: Josef von Sternberg - From Silence Comes Another.
D'un silence l'autre - Josef von Sternberg
Josef von Sternberg - From Silence Comes Another
1967 · 3 votes
Movie9.0DocumentaryTV MovieAn interview with film director Josef von Sternberg, produced for Belgium television.