Robert Krasker

Robert Krasker, B.S.C., A.S.C. (21 August 1913 – 16 August 1981) was an Australian cinematographer who worked on more than fifty films in his career.[1]

Krasker was born in Alexandria, Egypt but his birth was registered in Perth, Western Australia. He travelled to England in 1937 via photographic studios in Paris and Dresden,[2] and found work at Alexander Korda's London Films, where he became a senior camera operator. His first film as a director of photography was The Gentle Sex (1943), directed by Leslie Howard.

Krasker's work was strongly influenced by film noir and German Expressionism. He received an Academy Award for his work on The Third Man (1949), directed by Carol Reed, having previously worked with Reed on Odd Man Out (1947). He also worked on Brief Encounter for David Lean and Another Man's Poison for Irving Rapper.

Lean sacked him from Great Expectations in December 1946, because both he and producer Ronald Neame were unhappy with his handling of the marsh scenes. However he is credited with the opening scene of that film. His later films included the epics Alexander the Great, El Cid, and The Fall of the Roman Empire.

He returned to Australia in the 1950s[3] as well as reviewing movies.[4]

His legacy during his lifetime was relatively unknown in Australia,[5] and when some of his photographs were sold after his death, it was in London.[6][7] His death in 1981, was noted by Australian film directors of the time.[8]

Krasker was the first Australian cinematographer to win an Oscar; the second would not win until 1990.

Notes
  1. "Ace Australian movie man here". The Australian Women's Weekly. 31 October 1951. p. 30. Retrieved 17 December 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. Atterton, M and Vietch,Alan(editors) 1984 The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Australian Showbiz Brookvale NSW, Sunshine Books ISBN 0-86777-057-0 p.126
  3. "Noted movie cameraman comes home". The Sun (13, 019). Sydney. 20 October 1951. p. 3 (LAST RACE LATE CRICKET). Retrieved 9 February 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "SPOTLIGHT ON THE STARS". Western Mail. 69 (3, 398). Western Australia. 16 December 1954. p. 23. Retrieved 9 February 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. Murray, Scott (April 1997), "Robert Krasker [A filmography]", Cinema Papers (115): 18–19, ISSN 0311-3639
  6. "Krasker photographs to be auctioned". The Canberra Times. 60 (18, 539). 5 July 1986. p. 10 (It's Saturday). Retrieved 9 February 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. "Picture sale". The Canberra Times. 60 (18, 549). 15 July 1986. p. 12. Retrieved 9 February 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. Beresford, Bruce (1 December 1981), "One Australian master of film salutes another. -Appreciation of Robert Krasker-", Bulletin (Sydney) (1 Dec 1981): 128, ISSN 0007-4039


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