Leo Hurwitz

Who was Leo Hurwitz?

Leo Hurwitz was an American documentary filmmaker. Among the films he directed were Native Land and Verdict for Tomorrow. He was blacklisted during the McCarthy period.

Leo Hurwitz was born in 1909 and didn’t watch his first film till the age of four. However, once he discovered this medium of expression he was instantly mesmerized by it and immersed himself in this art form.

Born to Russian immigrants, Hurwitz grew up in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn. While in High School, he discovered the Harvard Club Scholarship and decided to sit for the exam. Being incredibly gifted and hard working, Leo won the scholarship and attended Harvard University. Although he graduated Summa Cum Laude, he was rejected from an international merit based fellowship. His tutor, among others, attributed this rejection to his Jewish roots. Upon graduating, despite his incredible achievements and education, Leo struggled to secure employment due to the economic atmosphere of the Great Depression. His first few years as a college graduate saw him as the editor of New Theater Magazine and cameraman and co-writer of “The Plow That Broke the Plains,” among other things.