From Hungarian Village to Hollywood Royalty: A Boy’s Journey
From Small Hungarian Village to Hollywood Legend: The Journey of Alexander Korda
Pusztaturpásztó, a small village in the Great Hungarian Plains, was the unlikely birthplace of three boys in the late 19th century—Zoltán, Vince, and Sándor. Little did anyone know that one of them, Sándor László Kellner, would rise to become a Hollywood legend under the name Alexander Korda.
Alexander Korda’s childhood took a turn in Hungary after being exempted from military service due to poor eyesight following an eye infection. His father’s unexpected death led the family to move to Kecskemét, but Korda desired to escape his abusive grandfather, eventually relocating to Budapest. He began writing film reviews to support his family and later changed the family name to Korda, deriving it from the Latin phrase “sursum corda” (“lift up your hearts”).
His film career began by bringing literary works to the silent screen and he eventually became the director of one of the first Hungarian films to be shown abroad, “White Nights”.
After navigating through post-World War I Hungary, Korda ventured to Vienna, then Berlin, before finally landing in Hollywood by 1927. He later shifted to London and founded London Films, where he directed and produced several successful films.
Despite his global success, Korda and his brothers held on to their Hungarian roots. Sándor remained devoted to Hungarian traditions and speaking with a distinctive Hungarian accent. Korda’s films, including the controversial “Lady Hamilton,” left an indelible mark on cinema history, even earning him a knighthood.
Sir Alexander Korda’s legacy continues through the Korda Film Studios and the British Film Academy’s award for outstanding films. From a small Hungarian village to the steps of Hollywood and beyond, Korda’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of cinema.
