F. W. Murnau, the towering German director standing at an imposing 6ft 4 (193 cm), brought his commanding physical presence to revolutionary silent films. His height enhanced his authoritative image on set, directing masterpieces like Nosferatu (1922), Sunrise, Faust, The Last Laugh, and Tabu.
Earlier, Murnau's stature served him well in the German Army's Flying Corps as an observer/gunner, surviving multiple crashes unscathed.