Johan Ankerstjerne

Johan Valdemar Ankerstjerne (17 January 1886 – 18 August 1959) was a Danish cinematographer who for many years was head of cinematography at Nordisk Film. He was reportedly the best cameraman in Denmark in the 1910s, making many films for August Blom from 1911 until 1916 and then for Benjamin Christensen. He created the unique "images of Haxan". In 1932 he founded Denmark's first film laboratory, Johan Ankerstjerne A/S which, after merging with Nordisk Film Teknik, became the largest production facility in the country.

Career Ankerstjerne first became a watchmaker in Randers. In 1907, he also became an operator in the town's first cinema. It was not long before he decided to make films himself, starting with short documentaries. When Nordisk Film expanded in early 1911, he was put on probation as a photographer but was quickly given a job in feature films. By the end of the year, August Blom had appointed him leading photographer. He soon became Blom's favorite photographer, handling the camera work on the highly successful Atlantis (1913).

In 1915 he left Nordisk Film to become a cameraman for Benjamin Christensen who was directing Hævnens Nat (Blind Justice) which was completed in 1916.

He then worked for the newly founded film company Dansk Film Co., later known as Dansk Astra Film, until 1921 when he was again engaged by Christensen to work on the Swedish/Danish film Häxan (1922). After joining Guðmundur Kamban to shoot Hadda Padda in Iceland, he was employed by the technical department of Nordisk Film until 1931.

He remained with this establishment until his death in 1959. The firm soon became Scandinavia's largest film copying company.

Det mørke Punkt (1911) Livets Løgn (1911) Hjærternes Kamp (1912) Historien om en Moder (1912) Et Hjerte af Guld (1912) Den sorte Kansler (1912) Guvernørens Datter (1912) En Hofintrige (1913) Højt Spil (1913) Troløs (1913) Pressens Magt (1913) Sladder (1913) Hvem var Forbryderen? (1913) Flugten gennem Luften (1913) Djævelens Datter (1913) Den tredie Magt (1913) Atlantis (1913) Bristet Lykke (1913) Et Læreaar (1914) Det gamle Fyrtaarn (1914) Eventyrersken (1914) Fædrenes Synd (1914) Vasens Hemmelighed (1914) Tugthusfange No. 97 (1914) Skyldig? - ikke skyldig? (1914) Elskovsleg (1914) Af Elskovs Naade (1914) Revolutionsbryllup (1915) Addys Ægteskab (1916) Viljeløs Kærlighed (1916) Gentlemansekretæren (1916 ) Syndig Kærlighed (1916) Lotteriseddel No. 22152 (1916) Du skal elske din Næste (1916) Den største Kærlighed (1916) Sønnen (1916) Sønnen (1916) Syndens Datter (1916) Pro Patria (1916) Hævnens Nat or Blind Justice (1916) Mens Juleklokkerne ringer (1917) En ensom Kvinde (1917) Telefondamen (1917) Pigen fra Palls (1917) Gengældelsens Ret (1917) For sit Lands Ære (1918) Fangen fra Erie Country Tugthus (1918) Hævneren (1918) Dommens Dag (1918) Lægen (1918) Du skal ære - (1918) Et nydeligt Trekløver (1919) Bajadser (1919) Gillekop (1919) En Aftenscene (1920) Dømmer ikke (1920) Lykkeper (1920) Hendes Fortid (1921) Munkens Fristelser (1921) Pan (1922) Timeglasset (1922) Heksen (1922) Republikaneren (1923) Hadda Padda (1924) Det store Hjerte or Side-lights of the Sawdust Ring (1925)