Emeric Pressburger
Biography
Emeric Pressburger, born Imre Jozsef Pressburger on December 5, 1902, in Miskolc, Austria-Hungary, was a Hungarian-British screenwriter, film director, and producer. He died on February 5, 1988, at the age of 85. Educated at the Universities of Prague and Stuttgart, he worked as a journalist in Hungary and Germany, and as an author and scriptwriter in Berlin and Paris. Pressburger is best known for his series of innovative and visually striking film collaborations with British director Michael Powell. Their partnership was known as the Archers and included notable films such as 49th Parallel in 1941, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp in 1943, A Matter of Life and Death in 1946, Black Narcissus in 1947, The Red Shoes in 1948, and The Tales of Hoffmann in 1951.
Career overview
Emeric Pressburger, born Imre Jozsef Pressburger on December 5, 1902, in Miskolc, Austria-Hungary, was a Hungarian British screenwriter, film director, and producer. Before his film career, he was educated at the Universities of Prague and Stuttgart, worked as a journalist in Hungary and Germany, and worked as an author and scriptwriter in Berlin and Paris. As a Hungarian Jew, he was chased around Europe and worked on films for UFA in Berlin and Paris.
Pressburger is best known for his series of film collaborations with British director Michael Powell. Together, they formed an award-winning partnership known as the Archers, through which they produced innovative and visually striking motion pictures. Among their notable film collaborations are 49th Parallel in 1941, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp in 1943, A Matter of Life and Death in 1946 which was also called Stairway to Heaven, Black Narcissus in 1947, The Red Shoes in 1948, and The Tales of Hoffmann in 1951.
Throughout his career, Pressburger accumulated known credits in the film industry primarily focusing on writing. He passed away on February 5, 1988, at the age of 85.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
105 titles- Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger (2024) as Self (archive footage)
- A Pretty British Affair (1981) as Interviewee
- The Boy Who Turned Yellow (1972) Screenplay
- The Boy Who Turned Yellow (1972) Producer
- They're a Weird Mob (1966) Writer
- Operation Crossbow (1965) Screenplay
- Behold a Pale Horse (1964) Novel
- Ill Met by Moonlight (1957) Director
- Ill Met by Moonlight (1957) Writer
- Ill Met by Moonlight (1957) Producer
- Miracle in Soho (1957) Writer
- Miracle in Soho (1957) Producer
- Men Against Britannia (1957) Writer
- The Battle of the River Plate (1956) Director
- The Battle of the River Plate (1956) Writer
- The Battle of the River Plate (1956) Producer
- Oh... Rosalinda!! (1955) Director
- Oh... Rosalinda!! (1955) Writer
- Oh... Rosalinda!! (1955) Producer
- Twice Upon a Time (1953) Director
- Twice Upon a Time (1953) Screenplay
- Twice Upon a Time (1953) Producer
- The Tales of Hoffmann (1951) Director
- The Tales of Hoffmann (1951) Writer
- The Tales of Hoffmann (1951) Producer
- Gone to Earth (1950) Director
- Gone to Earth (1950) Producer
- Gone to Earth (1950) Screenplay
- The Elusive Pimpernel (1950) Writer
- The Elusive Pimpernel (1950) Producer
- The Elusive Pimpernel (1950) Director
- The Small Back Room (1949) Director
- The Small Back Room (1949) Writer
- The Small Back Room (1949) Producer
- The Red Shoes (1948) as Extra at Cannes train station (uncredited)
- The Red Shoes (1948) Director
- The Red Shoes (1948) Producer
- The Red Shoes (1948) Writer
- The Red Shoes (1948) Story
- “The Red Shoes” Sketches (1948) Writer
- Black Narcissus (1947) Director
- Black Narcissus (1947) Writer
- Black Narcissus (1947) Producer
- The End of the River (1947) Producer
- The End of the River (1947) Script Supervisor
- The End of the River (1947) Writer
- A Matter of Life and Death (1946) Director
- A Matter of Life and Death (1946) Screenplay
- A Matter of Life and Death (1946) Producer
- Wanted for Murder (1946) Screenplay
- I Know Where I'm Going! (1945) Director
- I Know Where I'm Going! (1945) Producer
- I Know Where I'm Going! (1945) Writer
- A Canterbury Tale (1944) Writer
- A Canterbury Tale (1944) Director
- A Canterbury Tale (1944) Producer
- The Volunteer (1944) Director
- The Volunteer (1944) Writer
- The Volunteer (1944) Producer
- The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943) Director
- The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943) Writer
- The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943) Producer
- The Silver Fleet (1943) Story
- The Silver Fleet (1943) Producer
- Squadron Leader X (1943) Story
- Rings on Her Fingers (1942) Screenplay
- One of Our Aircraft Is Missing (1942) Director
- One of Our Aircraft Is Missing (1942) Writer
- One of Our Aircraft Is Missing (1942) Producer
- Breach of Promise (1942) Screenplay
- Breach of Promise (1942) Story
- 49th Parallel (1941) Screenplay
- 49th Parallel (1941) Original Story
- 49th Parallel (1941) Scenario Writer
- Atlantic Ferry (1941) Screenplay
- Spy for a Day (1940) Writer
- Contraband (1940) Writer
- The Spy in Black (1939) Screenplay
- The Silent Battle (1939) Writer
- The Challenge (1938) Screenplay
- The Great Barrier (1937) Writer
- Port Arthur (1936) Writer
- Port Arthur (1936) Adaptation
- Under Western Eyes (1936) Adaptation
- One Rainy Afternoon (1936) Story
- Parisian Life (1936) Writer
- Monsieur Sans-Gêne (1935) Writer
- Parisian Life (1935) Scenario Writer
- The Million Hunters (1934) Screenplay
- My Heart Calls You (1934) Writer
- Child, I'm Happy on Your Coming (1933) Writer
- And the Puszta Gleams (1933) Writer
- The Beautiful Adventure (1932) Writer
- A Girl and a Million (1932) Writer
- The Old Scoundrel (1932) Writer
- Gilgi: One of Us (1932) Writer
- Sehnsucht 202 (1932) Writer
- Emil and the Detectives (1931) Screenplay
- The Scoundrel (1931) Screenplay
- I'd Rather Have Cod Liver Oil (1931) Writer
- The Little Escapade (1931) Writer
- The Small Gap (1931) Scenario Writer
- Ronny (1931) Writer
- The Great Desire (1930) Writer
- Farewell (1930) Writer
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Emeric Pressburger best known for?
Emeric Pressburger is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger (2024), Operation Crossbow (1965), Behold a Pale Horse (1964), Ill Met by Moonlight (1957).
When and where was Emeric Pressburger born?
Emeric Pressburger was born on December 5, 1902 in Miskolc, Austria-Hungary [now Hungary]. They passed away on February 5, 1988.
How many credits does Emeric Pressburger have?
Emeric Pressburger has accumulated over 105 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1930 to 2024.
What is Emeric Pressburger's background in cinema and television?
Emeric Pressburger, born Imre Jozsef Pressburger on December 5, 1902, in Miskolc, Austria-Hungary, was a Hungarian-British screenwriter, film director, and producer. He died on February 5, 1988, at the age of 85. Educated at the Universities of Prague and Stuttgart, he worked as a journalist in Hungary and Germany, and...
Emeric Pressburger by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Red Shoes (1948) as Extra at Cannes train station (uncredited) — aged about 45
- Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger (2024) as Self (archive footage) — aged about 121
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