Fred Zinnemann
Initially grew up wanting to be a violinist, but while at the University of Vienna decided to study law. While doing so, Zinnemann became increasingly interested in American film and decided that was what he wanted to do. He became involved in European filmaking for a short time before coming to America to study film. Fred Zinnemann seemed almost incapable of directing a bad film. The winner of three Oscars, he also directed several actors to Academy Award-winning performances. Here's a look at some of his films on video. One of Zinnemann's first major films was the exciting 1944 World War II thriller "The Seventh Cross".
Zinnemann's 1952 "High Noon" is considered one of the best westerns ever made. Gary Cooper, who won the best actor Oscar, gives a taut, spare performance as a heroic town marshal forced to face four killers alone.
Zinnemann won his first best director Oscar for 1953's "From Here to Eternity", a complex adaptation of James Jones' novel set in Honolulu just before the attack on Pearl Harbor. In 1966, Zinnemann won his second best director Oscar for the thought-provoking "A Man for All Seasons". Zinnemann's "The Day of the Jackal" is a dazzling 1973 thriller based on Fredrick Forsyth's novel.
