Stanley Kubrick is considered one of the greatest and most influential directors in cinematic history, bringing his early audiences The Killing (1956), Paths of Glory (1957), and Dr Strangelove (1964).
Sir David Lean, the two time Academy Award winning director is best known for his cinematic epics, The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Doctor Zhivago (1965) and Passage to India (1984).
Michael Curtiz helped popularise the classic swashbuckler with Captain Blood and The Adventures of Robin Hood. He directed many drama classics such as Angels with Dirty Faces, and Mildred Pierce.
Ford is known for his visually powerful westerns, his characters framed against America's stunning natural landmarks. Films like Stagecoach (1939) and the highly regarded and hugely influential The Searchers (1956).
John Huston wrote most of the films he directed, many of which are considered classics. He is remembered for his collaboration with Humphrey Bogart, which brought to screen The Maltese Falcon and Key Largo.
Sergei Eisenstein was a Soviet film director and a pioneer in the theory and practice of montage. His most powerful films came in the silent era reflecting the struggles of Russian people in the early 1920s.
Federico Fellini was an Italian film director and screenwriter. Known for his distinct style, he is recognised as one of the greatest and most influential filmmakers of all time.
Elia Kazan was considered one of the most influential directors in Broadway and Hollywood history. Founder of the Actors Studio, his work bringing out powerful performances from actors is legendary.
Fred Zinnemann, the Austrian-born American film director, won four Academy Awards. He was among the first directors to insist on using authentic locations to create more realism.
