Max Ophüls

Maximillian Oppenheimer 6 May 1902 26 March 1957 known as Max Ophüls was an influential German film director who worked in Germany 193133 France 193340 the United States 194750 and France again 195057 He is best known for his smooth camera movements and complex tracking shots Many of his films are narrated from the point of view of the female protagonist In addition to the American romantic melodrama Letter from an Unknown Woman 1948 the French productions La Ronde 1950 Le Plaisir 1952 The Earrings of Madame de 1953 and Lola Montès 1955 are among his bestknown works Andrew Sarris in his influential book of film criticism The American Cinema Directors and Directions 19291968 included him in the pantheon of the 14 greatest film directors who had worked in the United States