Film photographer. Born 19 January 1885, died aged 84 on 11 November 1969.
Originally named Axel Sørensen, in around 1910 he changed his name to Axel Graatkjær. He trained as a dairyman in Vendsyssel before going to Copenhagen to train as a musician. Instead, he got a job as an ‘operator’ in Ole Olsen’s cinema on Vimmelskaftet in 1905 aged just 16. The following year he came to Valby, where Olsen started producing films from an allotment garden plot. In his pioneering years, Graatkjær gained solid experience behind the camera and recorded several hundred films for Nordisk Films Kompagni, as Olsen’s company was known. In 1913 he chose to leave Denmark and travel to Berlin to film for Urban Gad and Asta Nielsen. There, he became one of the major photographer profiles of the German film industry.
Originally named Axel Sørensen, in around 1910 he changed his name to Axel Graatkjær. He trained as a dairyman in Vendsyssel before going to Copenhagen to train as a musician. Instead, he got a job as an ‘operator’ in Ole Olsen’s cinema on Vimmelskaftet in 1905 aged just 16. The following year he came to Valby, where Olsen started producing films from an allotment garden plot. In his pioneering years, Graatkjær gained solid experience behind the camera and recorded several hundred films for Nordisk Films Kompagni, as Olsen’s company was known. In 1913 he chose to leave Denmark and travel to Berlin to film for Urban Gad and Asta Nielsen. There, he became one of the major photographer profiles of the German film industry.
| Title | Year | Function | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| I.N.R.I. - Ein film der Menschlichkeit | 1923 | Cinematography | Feature |
| Earth Spirit | 1923 | Cinematography | Feature |
| Phantom | 1922 | Cinematography | Feature |
| Der Absturz | 1922 | Cinematography | Feature |
| Hamlet | 1921 | Cinematography | Feature |
| Irrende Seelen | 1921 | Cinematography | Feature |
| Kurfürstendamm | 1920 | Cinematography | Feature |
| Aschenbrödel | 1917 | Cinematography | Feature |
| Die ewige Nacht | 1916 | Cinematography | Feature |
| Engeleins Hochzeit | 1916 | Cinematography | Feature |
| Die weissen Rosen | 1916 | Cinematography | Feature |
| Die Tochter der Landstrasse | 1915 | Cinematography | Feature |
| Vordertreppe und Hintertreppe | 1914 | Cinematography | Feature |
| Das Kind ruft | 1914 | Cinematography | Feature |
| Das Feuer | 1914 | Cinematography | Feature |
| Zapatas Bande | 1914 | Cinematography | Feature |
| Engelein | 1914 | Cinematography | Feature |
| A yankee catch | 1913 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Axel Breidahl morer sig | 1913 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Axel Breidahl som Hypnotisør | 1913 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Axel Breidahls Lotterigevinst | 1913 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Father and son | 1913 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| An old maid's love | 1913 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Fred As Decorator | 1913 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Wanted | 1913 | Cinematography | DK/Feature |
| Faded beauties | 1913 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Luck's out | 1913 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Gold from the Gutter | 1913 | Cinematography | DK/Feature |
| One Life One Love | 1913 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| At the eleventh hour | 1913 | Cinematography | DK/Feature |
| Where is doggy? | 1913 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Privatdetektivens Offer | 1913 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The professor's travelling adventures | 1913 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Ramasjang i Kantonnementet | 1913 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| A Shot in the Dark | 1913 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Stemmeretskvinder | 1913 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| At the Wheel | 1913 | Cinematography | DK/Feature |
| Crossed Swords | 1913 | Cinematography | DK/Feature |
| Die Film-Primadonna | 1913 | Cinematography | Feature |
| Hansa | 1912 | Cinematography | Non-fiction footage |
| Bornholmeruret | 1912 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Modern Girl | 1912 | Cinematography | DK/Feature |
| Brudegaven | 1912 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Fire of Life | 1912 | Cinematography | DK/Feature |
| John Takes Himself Off | 1912 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Dr. Gar el Hama | 1912 | Cinematography | DK/Feature |
| Fire at Sea | 1912 | Cinematography | DK/Feature |
| The bewitched rubber shoes | 1912 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Strandingen i Vesterhavet | 1912 | Cinematography | DK/Feature |
| The Vampire Dancer | 1912 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Ballet Dancer | 1911 | Cinematography | DK/Feature |
| Temptations of a Great City | 1911 | Cinematography | DK/Feature |
| The Power of Love | 1911 | Cinematography | DK/Feature |
| The Price of Beauty | 1911 | Cinematography | DK/Feature |
| In the Hands of Imposters | 1911 | Cinematography | DK/Feature |
| The Black Hood | 1911 | Cinematography | DK/Feature |
| Saved from the Sea | 1911 | Cinematography | DK/Feature |
| Hamlet | 1911 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Aviator's Generosity | 1911 | Cinematography | DK/Feature |
| The Amateur's Generosity | 1911 | Cinematography | DK/Feature |
| Spionen fra Tokio | 1910 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Robinson Crusoe | 1910 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Kong Christian IX's Bisættelse | 1906 | Cinematography | Non-fiction footage |
| Amor paa Spil | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction | |
| En Dags simpelt Fængsel | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction | |
| Dixi som Pudsemand | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction | |
| For Sale by Auction | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction | |
| Livets Storme | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
As Axel Sørensen
| Title | Year | Function | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| En Arrestation med Ekstraforplejning | 1910 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Mr. Fabian becomes a Teetotaller | 1910 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Bjørnejagten | 1910 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Fabian renser Kakkelovn | 1910 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Mr. Fabian Going Out for a Picnic | 1910 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The White Slave Trade | 1910 | Cinematography | DK/Feature |
| Revolutionsbryllup | 1910 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The theft of diamonds | 1910 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Expert Hunter | 1910 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Mr. Fabian is Rat Hunting | 1910 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Cab 519 | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Anarkister ombord | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Witch and the Cyclist | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Child as Benefactor | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Short-Sighted Governess | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Master Detective | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| I Forbryderhænder | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Faderen | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Wilhelm Tell | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Syndens Sold | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Apache Dans | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Armbaandet | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Arvingen til Kragsholm | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Barnet | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| En behagelig Spadseretur | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Bomben | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| A Message to Napoleon | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Magic Purse | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Dr. Nikola I | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Dr. Nikola II | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Dr. Nikola III | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Falkedrengen | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Far tapetserer | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The hustling Mr. Brown | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| En flink Barnepige | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Fortidens Skygge | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Fredløs | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Den Gales Ferie | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Gammel Kærlighed ruster ikke | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Gasrøret | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Red Domino | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Den graa Dame | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Heltemod forsoner | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Helvedes Datter | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Hævnen | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| En Kvinde af Folket | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Kærlighed i Orienten | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Landstrygerliv | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Livsslaven | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Lægens Offer | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Madame sans Gene | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Magdalene | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Nat Pinkerton I | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Nat Pinkerton II | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Night Before Christian's Birthday | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Obersten og Skildvagten | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Paul Wangs Skæbne | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Præstens Sønner | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Spy | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Den store Gevinst | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Two Gold Diggers | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Tøffelhelten | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Den vanartede Søn | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Mysterious Cigar | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Vraget | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| At the Sea Shore | 1909 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Alkymistens Datter | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Bear Hunting in Russia | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Alene i Verden | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Den falske Generaldirektør | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Den Blinde | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Will | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Barber's Baby's Christening | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Non-Stop Motorcycle | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Stepmother | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Dansen paa Koldinghus | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Et Folkesagn | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Havkongens Datter | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Kaliffens Æventyr | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Karneval | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Lille Hanne | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Lion Hunting | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Musen | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Møllen | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Othello | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Sherlock Holmes II | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Sherlock Holmes | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Sherlock Holmes III | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Trilby | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Mexiko | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Feltherrens Hævn | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| De fire Kærester | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Fiskerpigen | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The pupa changes into a butterfly | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Gennem Livets Skole | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Farmer's Grandson | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| A Practical Joke's Sad End | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Hans og Trine | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Hestetyven | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Jeppe paa Bjerget | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| En letsindig Konge | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Lykkens Galoscher | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Madkæresten | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Naar Møbler flyttes | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Peters Held | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Pierrot og Pierette | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Ridderen af Randers Bro | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Artist's Model's (Jealousy) | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Rulleskøjterne | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Spring Lock | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Tiggersken | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| La Tosca | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Urmagerens Bryllup | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Hercules the Athlete | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Vildmanden | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Vaadeskud | 1908 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| A Sinner | 1908 | Cinematographer | DK/Short fiction |
| The Failure | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| From the Rococo-Times | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Merry Widow | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Boy With the Sixth Sense | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Angelo, Tyran fra Padua | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Flight from the Seraglio | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Once Upon a Time | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Tinderbox | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Magic Bag | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Fra Bagdad | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The White Slave Girl | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Haanden | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Isbjørnejagt | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Lady With the Camelias | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| A modern naval hero | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Robber's Sweetheart | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Tantes Fødselsdag | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Vikingeblod | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Mesalliancen | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Baby paa Laanekontoret | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Boxers | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| For a Woman's Sake | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Feens Rose | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Gratis Middag | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Hjortens Flugt | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Hævnet | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| I Løvens Gab | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Jeg maa tilgive | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Kejser Nero paa Krigsstien | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Krybskytten | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Krøblingen | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Female Wrestlers | 1907 | Cinematography | Non-fiction footage |
| Maxine og Baby | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Mekanisk Statue | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Mordet paa Fyn | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Det nye Bud | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| En Opstandelse | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The pilote's daughter | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Den sorte Maske | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Sømandsliv | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Texas Tex | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| To Gentlemen | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Uskyldig dømt | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Zigeunerens Hævn | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Æren tabt alt tabt | 1907 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| A New Hat for the Madam | 1906 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Kong Haakons Kroning i Trondhjem | 1906 | Direction, Cinematography | Non-fiction footage |
| The Anarchist's Mother-in-Law | 1906 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Gaardmandssøn og Husmandsdatter | 1906 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Røverhøvdingen | 1906 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Caros Død | 1906 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Galejslaven | 1906 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Stenhuggerens Datter | 1906 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Den glade Enke | 1906 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Bonden i København | 1906 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| En forstyrret Middag | 1906 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| En Foræring til min Kone | 1906 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Gavtyve | 1906 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Journalisten som Sjover | 1906 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Knuste Haab | 1906 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Kortspillere | 1906 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| The Other Woman | 1906 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Tandpine | 1906 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| To Børn paa Landevejen | 1906 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Violinistens Roman | 1906 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Vitrioldrama | 1906 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| A Fisherman's Life in Scandinavia | 1906 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Den forfaldne Husleje | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |