Len Lye

Len Lye

Known for

Directing

Born

July 5, 1901

Birthplace

Christchurch, New Zealand

Died

May 15, 1980 (aged 78)

Biography

Leonard Charles Huia "Len" Lye (5 July 1901 – 15 May 1980), was a Christchurch, New Zealand-born artist known primarily for his experimental films and kinetic sculpture. His films are held in archives including the New Zealand Film Archive, British Film Institute, Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and the Pacific Film Archive at University of California, Berkeley.

Best known work

Free Radicals
Free Radicals
1958
A Colour Box
A Colour Box
1935
Trade Tattoo
Trade Tattoo
1937
Rhythm
Rhythm
1957
Tusalava
Tusalava
1929
Swinging the Lambeth Walk
Swinging the Lambeth Walk
1940
Bells of Atlantis
Bells of Atlantis
1952
Colour Flight
Colour Flight
1937
Hoch der Lambeth Valk
Hoch der Lambeth Valk
1941
Experimental Animation
Experimental Animation
1933

Filmography

  1. 2023

    Peanuts

    Animation

  2. 2022

    Len Lye: Master of Motion

    as Self (archive footage)

  3. 2018

    Secrets of British Animation

    as Self (archive Photos)

  4. 2011

  5. 1997

  6. 1995

  7. 1993

    Abstract Cinema

    as Himself

  8. 1987

  9. 1981

    Tal Farlow

    Director

  10. 1980

  11. 1967

  12. 1959

    Pittsburgh

    Cinematography

  13. 1959

  14. 1958

  15. 1958

  16. 1958

    Prime Time

    Director

  17. 1957

  18. 1957

    Rhythm

    Director

  19. 1953

  20. 1953

  21. 1952

    Color Cry

    Director

  22. 1952

    Bells of Atlantis

    Assistant Director

  23. 1949

    Crusade in EuropeTV

    Director

  24. 1945

  25. 1943

TMDBThis product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.Streaming availability data provided by JustWatch© 2026 FlickQueue · Privacy · Terms