J. Lee Thompson

J. Lee Thompson
Thompson in the 1970s
Born
John Lee Thompson

(1914-08-01)1 August 1914
Bristol, England
Died30 August 2002(2002-08-30) (aged 88)
Occupations
  • Film director
  • screenwriter
  • producer
Years active1937–1989

John Lee Thompson (1 August 1914 – 30 August 2002) was an English film director, screenwriter and producer. Initially an exponent of social realism, he became known as a versatile and prolific director of thrillers, action, and adventure films.[1]

His works included mainstream critical and commercial successes like Woman in a Dressing Gown (1957), Ice Cold in Alex (1958), Tiger Bay (1959), North West Frontier (also 1959), The Guns of Navarone (1961), the original Cape Fear (1962), and Mackenna's Gold (1969). He also directed cult classics like the Planet of the Apes sequels, The White Buffalo (1977), Happy Birthday to Me (1981), King Solomon's Mines (1985) and several Charles Bronson vehicles[2] for Cannon Films in the 1980s.[3][4][5][6]

Thompson received an Academy Award nomination for an Best Director for The Guns of Navarone. He was also a four-time BAFTA Award nominee (twice for Best Film and twice for Outstanding British Film). He also received accolades from the Berlin International Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival, and was both a Golden Globe and Directors Guild of America Award nominee.

  1. ^ "BFI Screenonline: Lee Thompson, J. (1914-2002) Biography". BFI Screenonline. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  2. ^ Carr, Jeremy (5 October 2003). "Thompson, J. Lee – Senses of Cinema". Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  3. ^ "J. Lee Thompson, 88, Director of 'Guns of Navarone'". The New York Times. 6 September 2002.
  4. ^ "J. Lee Thompson". Britishpictures.com. Archived from the original on 28 August 2006.
  5. ^ "J. Lee Thompson". Britmovie.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013.
  6. ^ "J. Lee Thompson Profile". DVD Review. Archived from the original on 2 September 2006.