David Lean

David Lean

British film director (1908–1991)
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David Lean
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Sir David Lean CBE (25 March 1908 – 16 April 1991) was an English film director, producer, screenwriter and editor. Widely considered one of the most influential directors of all time, Lean directed the large-scale epics The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Doctor Zhivago (1965), and A Passage to India (1984). He also directed two adaptations of Charles Dickens novels, Great Expectations (1946) and Oliver Twist (1948), as well as the romantic drama Brief Encounter (1945).

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David Lean was born on Wednesday, 25 March 1908 in Croydon, Surrey, England. His full name at birth was David Lean. He was best known as a film director. Lean's country of citizenship (nationality) was British. He died on Tuesday, 16 April 1991 in London, England at the age of 83. David attended high school at Leighton Park School in Reading. He was 6' 2" (188 cm) tall with an average build. He had grey hair (color). His zodiac star sign was Aries.

You can find people similar to David Lean by visiting our lists Directors of Golden Bear winners and AFI Life Achievement Award recipients.

Full name at birth
David Lean
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Date of birth
25 March 1908
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Place of birth
Croydon, Surrey, England
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Date of death
16 April 1991
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Age
83 (age at death)
Place of death
London, England
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Cause of death
Throat Cancer
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Occupation
Film director, screenwriter, producer, editor, actor
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Occupation category
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Nationality
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PERSONAL DETAILS

Height
6' 2" (188 cm)
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Build
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Hair color
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Gender
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Sexuality
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ADDITIONAL DETAILS

High school
Leighton Park School in Reading
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Don't make jokes about food.
  • Biography in: John Wakeman, editor. "World Film Directors, Volume One, 1890- 1945". Pages 633-639. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1987.
  • Was in final pre-production for the filming of "Nostromo" (based on the Joseph Conrad novel) when he died.
  • Once screened Lawrence of Arabia (1962) with Steven Spielberg. Lean gave Spielberg a "live director's commentary" (as Spielberg put it). Spielberg said it was one of the best moments of his life, learning from a true master. Consequently, Spielberg stated that it helped him make better pictures and that commentary directly influenced every movie he has made since.
  • Towards the end of his life, he said he'd like to have another go at filming Boris Pasternak's "Doctor Zhivago." The prerequisite for remaking the film would be the casting of Julie Christie once again as Lara, but since she would be too old for the part, he wouldn't be able to do it.
  • He was made a Fellow of the British Film Institute in recognition of his outstanding contribution to film culture.

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