Victor Fleming: 5 must-see films by the famous director

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Victor Fleming is one of the masters of Hollywood who lived and worked at the beginning of the 20th century. Fleming gave the world such iconic films as Gone with the Wind, Explosive Beauty and The Wizard of Oz. How did the famous director start his film career? And what are 5 must-see films from his production?

Victor Fleming: biography

B. Fleming was born in 1889 in California. Little is known about the early years of the director's life. In his interviews, Victor Fleming only mentioned that he started his career as an auto mechanic.

Over time, Fleming mastered the profession of a photographer. A little later, he got a job at the Triangle film studio as a cameraman. Fleming took his first steps in filmmaking by participating in the filming of Allan Dwan's films.

In 1914, the First World War began, and Victor became a photojournalist working for American intelligence. After the end of hostilities, the former intelligence officer again changed his profession. So a new director appeared in Hollywood - his name was VictorFleming.

Fleming's films have not always received universal recognition, but the public and film critics recognized that Victor is a master of his craft. During his 29 years of work, Fleming released about 50 feature films. Among them there are especially successful films that are worth watching and are considered classics of American cinema.

Bombshell, 1933

In 1933, director Victor Fleming released the melodramatic comedy Explosive Beauty with Jean Harlow.

Jin was the first actress to turn platinum hair into a trend. It was then that the fashion was picked up by Marilyn Monroe and other bright representatives of Hollywood. However, Harlow rarely played naive fools, mostly her images were filled with drama.

This time the "explosive beauty" appeared before the public in the form of a Hollywood diva who is tired of her fame. Lola Burns seems to be happy, rich and famous. But in fact, it turns out that Lola is incredibly tired of the hype around her person, disillusioned with her acting career and only longs for peace. Burns makes a desperate attempt to say goodbye to the film industry, but she does not succeed: the completion of a profitable "project" is not beneficial to either the studios, or the producers, or Burns' personal agent, or her family. As a result, Lola returns to the cameras and continues to play her difficult role.

Treasure Island, 1934

In 1934, Victor Fleming released his version of the film adaptation of the famous novel by R. Stevenson "Treasure Island". For a long time his creation was very popular.in the States.

The plot of Fleming's painting is practically the same as the original plot of the book. The protagonist is a young man, Jim Hawkins, who runs the Admiral Benbow Hotel. Once in the room of this hotel, a certain Billy Bones dies of a heart attack. In his belongings, Jim finds a map showing the way to Treasure Island.

Without hesitation, Hawkins assembles a crew, enlists the support of family friend David Livesey, and sets sail. However, the young captain does not yet suspect that a "traitor" and a notorious scoundrel lurked in his team.

Starring Wallace Beery (China Seas, 1935), Jackie Cooper (Skippy, 1931) and Lionel Barrymore (Rasputin and the Empress, 1932).

The Wizard of Oz, 1939

Two of his best films Victor Fleming released in 1939. One of them is the children's musical fairy tale The Wizard of Oz.

Fleming's interpretation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is still considered the most successful film adaptation of this work. With a budget of $2.7 million, the fairy tale managed to gross $17.7 million at the box office. The 1939 film The Wizard of Oz is included in the list of the 100 best films made in Hollywood, and occupies the sixth position in this ranking.

Fleming's film is about a little girl, Dorothy, who, along with her dog, was transported by a hurricane from Kansas to Oz. To return home, Dorothy will have to go through many trials, gainmake new friends and help the people of Oz get rid of evil magical creatures.

Gone With The Wind, 1939

Gone with the Wind is a truly iconic painting. This historical drama has become Victor Fleming's calling card.

Gone with the Wind collected a fabulous box office at the box office - $ 200 million. Adjusting for inflation, no Titanic can compare to the sensation that Gone With The Wind created.

The adaptation of Margaret Mitchell's novel won 8 Oscars. For 20 years, this record could not be broken by any film. The film stars Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable.

Gone with the Wind intertwines many storylines: both the Civil War of 1861 and the problem of a love triangle, social and moral issues are raised.

The central characters of this whole action are Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler. She is young, a little windy and impulsive. He is much older, cold, prudent and ironic, but he fell in love with Scarlett with all her flaws and virtues at first sight. These two will go through many things: misunderstanding, denial, civil war and devastation. Scarlett and Rhett will get married, have a daughter and lose her. And only when Rhett forever turns away from Scarlett and leaves her, the woman will understand what she really lost. And a new goal will appear in her life: to return her husband at any cost.

Joan of Arc, 1948

"Joan of Arc" - the last film shot by W. Fleming shortly before his death. She tells of a difficult fatea French girl who led the French against the British in the Hundred Years' War.

"Joan of Arc", unfortunately, did not recoup its budget. But she received 2 Oscars for the work of the operator and artist. In terms of costumes and staging, the painting has undeniable artistic value.