Director

Josef von Sternberg

Directing

Career Snapshot

Explained

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Directed credits

Established

Strong directing catalog.

TMDB popularity

0.8

Low visibility

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Directed movies: 30Directed series: 0All crew credits: 36

TMDB ID: 2891

IMDb ID: nm0903049

Known for: Directing

Born: May 29, 1894

Died: November 22, 1969

Age: 75

Place of birth: Vienna, Austria

Gender: Male

Adult content flag: No

Career span: 1917 - 1996

Years active: 80

Average TMDB rating: 6.5

Wikidata: Q78719

Also known as

Джозеф фон Штернберг • 조셉 폰 스턴버그 • 조셉 본 스턴버그 • Jonas Sternberg

Frequent jobs

Director (23)Co-Director (4)Assistant Director (3)Story (2)Adaptation (1)Music (1)Producer (1)Scenario Writer (1)

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Biography

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.