Wolfgang Suschitzky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wolfgang Suschitzky
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| Born | 29 August 1912 |
| Died | 7 October 2016 (aged 104) London, England, UK
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| Nationality | Austrian (1912–1947) British (1947–2016) |
| Occupation | Cinematographer, Photographer |
| Years active | 1934–1984 |
| Spouse(s) | Ilona Donath Suschitzky |
| Children | 3, including Peter |
Wolfgang Suschitzky (born August 29, 1912 – died October 7, 2016) was a famous photographer and filmmaker. He was born in Austria but later became a British citizen. He was especially known for his work on the 1971 film Get Carter.
Many people saw Suschitzky as a link to the early days of British documentary films. He was known for his amazing skill in taking pictures and filming in real places, capturing the true feeling of those locations. His photographs have been shown in important art galleries like the National Gallery in London. Wolfgang Suschitzky was also the father of another well-known filmmaker, Peter Suschitzky.
Growing Up in Vienna
Wolfgang Suschitzky was born in Vienna, which was then part of Austria-Hungary. His father was a bookshop owner who believed in social democracy, a political idea about fairness for everyone. His father's bookshop was a special place where interesting writers and thinkers would visit. Wolfgang grew up in the apartment right above the shop.
Wolfgang's sister, Edith Tudor-Hart, also became a photographer. Wolfgang remembered his father as a great man who brought many interesting people into their lives. He also recalled the excitement in Vienna when the Russian Revolution happened in 1917.
As a child, Wolfgang was quite mischievous. He often got into trouble at home and at school. He even went to a special day boarding school to learn discipline, but he still found ways to be naughty!
Wolfgang's first passion was zoology, the study of animals. However, he realized it would be hard to find a job in that field in Austria. So, he decided to study photography instead, following in his sister's footsteps. He learned photography at a special school called the Höhere Graphische Bundes-Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt.
Moving to England
The political situation in Austria began to change, becoming less democratic. Because of this, Wolfgang decided to leave Austria. He first moved to the Netherlands and got married there. However, his marriage ended after about a year. He later said that this was lucky because if he had stayed, he might not have survived the difficult times that followed in Europe.
In 1935, Wolfgang moved to England. In 1939, he married Ilona Donath, and they had three children together.
A Career Behind the Camera
Wolfgang Suschitzky's first job was taking pictures for postcards in the Netherlands. This job didn't last long, and he soon moved to England.
In England, he started working as a film cameraman for Paul Rotha, a famous documentary filmmaker. They worked together on many projects, including films during World War II like World of Plenty (1943). They also made short films and news programs for the government.
Wolfgang then started working on longer movies. One of his first feature films was No Resting Place (1951), which was special because it was filmed entirely in real locations, not in a studio. This film was even nominated for a BAFTA Award, which is a big award for films in Britain. He also worked on a short film called The Bespoke Overcoat, which won an Academy Award (Oscar) in 1956!
In the 1960s and 1970s, Wolfgang worked on many different kinds of films. Some of his notable works include:
- Ulysses (1967)
- Vengeance of She (1968)
- The Small World of Sammy Lee (1963)
- Entertaining Mr. Sloane (1970)
- Get Carter (1971), a very famous British crime film.
- Ring of Bright Water (1969)
- Living Free (1972), which was a sequel to the popular film Born Free.
Wolfgang's son, Peter Suschitzky, also became a successful filmmaker, following in his father's footsteps.
The Art of Photography
Wolfgang Suschitzky was known for his strong belief that photography should show real life and help people understand social conditions. He once said that good documentary photos should be "subtle photographic comment on social conditions, rather than direct social propaganda."
Early in his career, he took photos for popular magazines like Picture Post. Later, he often took photographs while he was also working as a filmmaker. This meant his photos often captured real moments from film sets or the places where movies were being made. His pictures often show working people and everyday life, giving us a glimpse into the past.
To honor his work, the Wolf Suschitzky Photography Prize is given out every two years. This award celebrates both Austrian and British photographers, showing Wolfgang's connection to both countries.
Later Life
Wolfgang Suschitzky lived a very long life. He passed away on October 7, 2016, in London, at the impressive age of 104.
Films Wolfgang Suschitzky Worked On
Here are some of the films where Wolfgang Suschitzky was the cinematographer:
- World of Plenty (1943)
- The World Is Rich (1947)
- No Resting Place (1951)
- The Oracle (1953)
- Cat & Mouse (1958)
- The Bespoke Overcoat (1956)
- Snow (1963)
- Ulysses (1967)
- Vengeance of She (1968)
- The Small World of Sammy Lee (1963)
- Ring of Bright Water (1969)
- Entertaining Mr. Sloane (1970)
- Get Carter (1971)
- Living Free (1972)
- Theatre of Blood (1973)
- The Chain (1984)
Images for kids
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Wolfgang Suschitzky
