Jack Cardiff Biography

Fast Facts

• Honored by the British Society of Cinematographers and British Film Institute for his contributions to film over the course of his career
• Honored with OBE qualifications in 2000 by Queen Elizabeth II
• Passed away at age 94 from natural causes in 2009, the same day as fellow English filmmaker, Ken Annakin
• Born to two music hall entertainers, he would start his career in entertainment while still a young boy on both stage and in film
• Quote: "Most directors who have been around for a while acquire a gaunt, soul-scarred look associated with fighter pilots who have survived a war․"
• After gaining recognition as a cinematographer on 1943's "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp", he would begin to land numerous directing opportunities that would continue throughout the next six decades
• Began working as a camera assistant for British International Pictures at 15-years-old and would eventually be promoted to camera operator by 20-years-old
• Served as subject of the 2010 documentary, "Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff", a highlighted film at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival