William Wyler
- Known for
- Directing
- Born
- July 1, 1902
- Died
- July 27, 1981
- Birthplace
- Mülhausen, Alsace-Lorraine, German Empire [now Mulhouse, Haut-Rhin, France]
William Wyler (July 1, 1902 – July 27, 1981) was a German-born film director, producer, and screenwriter. Notable works include Ben-Hur (1959), The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), and Mrs. Miniver (1942), all which won Wyler Academy Awards for Best Director, and also won Best Picture. He earned his first Oscar nomination for directing Dodsworth in 1936, sparking a 20-year run of almost unbroken greatness. Film historian Ian Freer calls Wyler a "bona fide perfectionist," whose penchant for retakes and an attempt to hone every last nuance "became the stuff of legend." His ability to direct a string of classic literary adaptations into huge box office and critical successes made him one of Hollywood's most bankable moviemakers during the 1930s and 1940s.
Filmography
William Wyler: Forty Takes Willy 2025
as Himself (Archival)
Hollywood's Second World War 2019
as Self (archive footage)
Sword-and-Sandal: The Story of the Period Epic 2019
as Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
The Cold Blue 2018
as Himself (archive footage)
Five Came Back 2017
as Self (archive footage)
Roman Holiday 2016
Writer
History Rediscovered: The Memphis Belle 2011
Director
Stardust: The Bette Davis Story 2006
as Self (archive footage)
Ben-Hur: The Epic That Changed Cinema 2005
as Self (archive footage)
- Reel Radicals: The Sixties Revolution in Film
Reel Radicals: The Sixties Revolution in Film 2002
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Goldwyn: The Man and His Movies 2001
as Self
Backstory: 'How Green Was My Valley' 2000
as Self (archive footage)
Vivien Leigh: A Delicate Balance 2000
as Self (archive footage)
Ben-Hur: The Making of an Epic 1993
as Self - Director (archive footage)
Directed by William Wyler 1986
as Self
Laurence Olivier: A Life 1982
as Self
The Liberation of L.B. Jones 1970
Director, Producer
Funny Girl 1968
Director
How to Steal a Million 1966
Director
The Collector 1965
Director
The Children's Hour 1961
Director, Producer
Ben-Hur 1959
Director
The Big Country 1958
Director, Producer
Fun in the Big Country 1958
as Self
Friendly Persuasion 1956
Director, Producer
- The Letter
The Letter 1956
Director, Producer
Stars of Cabaret 1956
as Self (archive footage)
The Desperate Hours 1955
Director, Producer
Roman Holiday 1953
Director, Producer
Carrie 1952
Director, Producer
Detective Story 1951
Director, Producer
The Screen Director 1951
as Self (staged 'archive' footage) (uncredited)
The Heiress 1949
Director, Producer
Thunderbolt 1947
Director
The Best Years of Our Lives 1946
as Drug Store customer (uncredited), Director
The Fighting Lady 1944
Director
The Memphis Belle 1944
Director, Writer, Director of Photography
Mrs. Miniver 1942
Director, Producer
The Little Foxes 1941
Director
The Letter 1940
Director, Producer
The Westerner 1940
Director
Wuthering Heights 1939
Director
The Cowboy and the Lady 1938
Co-Director
Jezebel 1938
Director, Producer
Dead End 1937
Director
Come and Get It 1936
Director
Dodsworth 1936
as Violin Player in Dance Orchestra (uncredited), Director
These Three 1936
Director
The Gay Deception 1935
Director
The Good Fairy 1935
Director
Glamour 1934
Director
Counsellor at Law 1933
Director
Her First Mate 1933
Director
Tom Brown of Culver 1932
Director
A House Divided 1931
Director
The Storm 1930
Director
Hell's Heroes 1929
Director
The Love Trap 1929
Director, Producer
The Shakedown 1929
Director
Anybody Here Seen Kelly? 1928
Director
Thunder Riders 1928
Director
- Desert Dust
Desert Dust 1927
Director
The Border Cavalier 1927
Director
- The Horse Trader
The Horse Trader 1927
Director
- The Ore Raiders
The Ore Raiders 1927
Director
Hard Fists 1927
Director
Straight Shootin' 1927
Director
Blazing Days 1927
Director
The Two Fister 1927
Director
The Stolen Ranch 1926
Director
Lazy Lightning 1926
Director
Martin of the Mounted 1926
Director
Don't Shoot 1926
Director
- The Fire Barrier
The Fire Barrier 1926
Director
Ridin' for Love 1926
Director, Story
- The Gunless Bad Man
The Gunless Bad Man 1926
Director
The Crook Buster 1925
Director
The Hunchback of Notre Dame 1923
Assistant Director
Credits from TMDB.