Hugh Hudson
Hugh Hudson | |
---|---|
Born | London,England | 25 August 1936
Died | 10 February 2023 London, England | (aged 86)
Education | Eton College |
Occupation(s) | Director, producer, screenwriter |
Years active | 1967–2023 |
Known for | Chariots of Fire(1981) Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan(1984) |
Spouses | |
Children | 1 |
Hugh Hudson(25 August 1936 – 10 February 2023) was an English film director.[1]He was among a generation of British directors who would begin their career making documentaries and television commercials before going on to have success in films.
Hudson directed the 1981Academy AwardandBAFTA AwardBest PictureChariots of Fire,a film ranked 19th in theBritish Film Institute's list ofTop 100 British films.He continued to direct commercials while making films, which included theBritish Airways face advertisementfrom 1989 made in collaboration with London-based advertising agencySaatchi & Saatchi.
Early life
[edit]Hugh Hudson was born at 27Welbeck Street,London, the son and only child of Michael Donaldson-Hudson and his second wife Jacynth Mary Ellerton, fromCheswardinein rural northeastShropshire.Michael's father was Ralph Charles Donaldson-Hudson, and his great-grandfather wasCharles Donaldson-Hudson,a one-time Conservative Member of Parliament forNewcastle-under-Lyme,Staffordshire.His paternal ancestors came from Scotland and Cumberland. He was sent to boarding school in 1942 at the age of six, and thereafter was educated atEton College.He began hisNational Servicein theDragoon Guardsfrom 28 January 1956, reaching the rank of second lieutenant and remained as a lieutenant in the Army Reserve of Officers until he was discharged on 16 January 1960.
Career
[edit]1960s
[edit]In the 1960s, after three years of editing documentaries in Paris, Hudson headed a documentary film company with partnersRobert Brownjohnand David Cammell. The company produced, among others, the documentariesA for Apple,which won a Screenwriters' Guild Award, andThe Tortoise and the Hare,which was nominated for a BAFTA Award. The company emerged with much success in the 1960s, winning many awards and pioneering a new graphic style for documentary and advertising films.
Hudson then began a career in advertising, producing and directing many television commercials. He worked alongsideAlan Parker,RidleyandTony Scottfor Ridley Scott Associates (RSA), a British film and commercial production company founded in 1968.[2]His first filmmaking job was as a second-unit director on Parker'sMidnight Express(1978).
1970s–1980s
[edit]Between 1973 and 1975, Hudson wrote and directedFangio, A life at 300 km/h,a documentary film about motor racing seen through the eyes ofJuan Manuel Fangio,five times the worldFormula OneChampion.
From 1979 to 1980, Hudson directed his first and most successful feature film,Chariots of Fire(1981), the story of two British track runners, one a devout Christian and the other an ambitious Jew, in the run-up to the1924 Olympic Games.The film is said to have revitalized the fading British film industry, and it won four Academy Awards, includingBest Picture;Hudson earned a nomination forBest Director.His friend and colleagueVangeliscreated an Academy Award-winning score for the film.
Vincent Canbyof theNew York Timeswrote in 1981 "It's to the credit of both Mr Hudson and Mr Welland thatChariots of Fireis simultaneously romantic and commonsensical, lyrical and comic.... It's an exceptional film, about some exceptional people. "[3] In 2017, some 37 years after its showing at the1981 Cannes Film Festival,it was shown to a large audience at the Classic Screenings beach cinema to help support thebidfor the2024 Olympic Gamesto be held in Paris.
Hudson had rejected numerous feature film offers beforeChariots of Fire's success. His next production wasGreystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes(1984) which received four Oscar nominations, and wasRalph Richardson's last screen performance, for which he was nominated in the 1984 Oscars as Best Supporting Actor. It was a success at the box office and with critics.
In 1985, Hudson directedRevolution,which depicted the American War of Independence, and which was released before it was a fully completed film.[4]The film was a critical and commercial failure at the box office and earned Hudson aGolden Raspberry Awardnomination for Worst Director.
Hudson's next theatrical feature film wasLost Angels(1989), nominated for thePalme d'Orat the1989 Cannes Film Festival.[5]The film was an American-based drama starringDonald SutherlandandAd-Rockof theBeastie Boysand dealing with disaffected youth in California.
1990s onward
[edit]In 1999, Hudson directedMy Life So Far.Jean-Claude Carrièrewrote of it, "Hugh Hudson's filmMy Life So Faris a delightful bittersweet film, which covers the start of a boy's life during the first part of the 20th century – from his last baby's bottle to his first cigar. A film which sadly is not known as well as it should be. It is a variation on a universal theme which will never end. There will always be men and women, old people and youngsters, horses and dogs. "[citation needed]Hudson next directedI Dreamed of Africa(2000), which was the closing film of theCannes Film Festivalof that year.
In 2006, Hudson was reported to be working, together with producerJohn Heyman,on an historical epic based on the life of the monotheistic Egyptian PharaohAkhenatenand his wifeNefertiti.[6]The film was to center around their tempestuous relationship.
In 2008, Hudson re-editedRevolution,giving the film a narration byAl Pacino.TheObserverfilm criticPhilip Frenchwriting about the new version said, "Revolutionwas misunderstood and unjustly treated on its first appearance twenty years ago. Seeing it again in the director's slightly revised version it now strikes me as a masterpiece – profound, poetic and original. Hudson's film should take its place among the great movies about history and about individual citizens living in times of dramatic social change. One hopes it will finally find the wide audience it deserves. "[citation needed]
Hudson co-producedChariots of Fire,the 2012 stage adaptation of the film of the same title. The stage adaptation was his idea, for the London Olympic year. Also in 2012, it was announced that Hudson would directMidnight Sun,a feature film about a child who tries to help a family of polar bears on the shrinking polar ice cap. Hudson co-wrote the script as well.[7]The script becameThe Journey Homewith directorsRoger SpottiswoodeandBrando Quilicireplacing Hudson.
In 2016, he staged his debut as an opera director withRobert Ward’s settingofThe Crucibleat theStaatstheater Braunschweig.[8]The sets and painted backdrops were designed by British artistBrian Clarke.The second run of the opera was to sold-out audiences.
In 2016, Hudson directed the period dramaAltamira,about the discovery of the famousSpanish cave paintings.The film starsAntonio BanderasandRupert Everett.The New York Timesgave the film a glowing review. Released in two U.S. cities the film then was distributed by Netflix in USA/Canada and Sky in the UK. The Spanish release was very successful.
Advertisements
[edit]In 1988, Hudson directed a 2½-minute advertisement forBritish Rail,in the style of, and in homage to, the Post Office Film Unit's 25-minute documentaryNight Mail,which was made in 1936.[9]PoetW. H. Audenhad written verse specifically to fit the original 1936 film's footage, which showed the enormous scale of BR's daily operation and the structure of the 'sectorised' business. The opening sequence of Hudson's British Rail advert features the northbound Travelling Post Office with Auden's original verse, narrated by SirTom Courtenay.
Some of the many other acclaimed advertisements created by Hudson include the 1989 British Airways "Face"advert[10]seen in over 80 countries around the world and running for almost a decade; the 1979Fiat StradaFigaroadvert;[11]and theBenson & Hedges"Swimming Pool" and "Salvage" adverts.[12]In 2007 he created hisSilverjetadvert, a direct parody of his own 1989 British Airways advert.[13]He also created theCourage Best"Gercha" advert[14]and theCinzano"Aeroplane" advert.[15]Hudson also directedKinnock – The Movie(1987), an election broadcast for theBritish Labour Party.
Personal life and death
[edit]Hudson's maternal half-brother was noted musicologistJohn Warrack.His first marriage on 25 August 1977, was with painter Susan Michie (born 8 December 1946), the daughter of Alastair Milne Michie, with whom he had a son, born in 1978. In November 2003, Hudson married actressMaryam d'Abo,who played Kara Milovy inThe Living Daylights(1987). They remained married until his death.
Hudson died atCharing Cross Hospitalin London on 10 February 2023. He was 86.[16]
Honours
[edit]In 2003, Hudson was given a special Cannes Lions award on the 50th Anniversary of theCannes Lions International Advertising Festival,an award given only to directors who have won the Grand Prix more than once.[17]Hudson won Grand Prix Cannes Lions awards for his 1972Levi's"Walking Behinds"[18]and 1978CotyL'Aimant "French Lesson" adverts.[19]
In August 2007, in Nîmes, France, "Un Realisateur dans la Ville", a festival created byGérard DepardieuandJean-Claude Carrièreto showcase each year the work of one director, featured the work of Hugh Hudson, showing eight films over 5 days. The festival premiered an Al Pacino–narrated version ofRevolutioncalledRevolution Revisited.
In October 2008, at the Dinard Festival of British Film, Hudson's work was honoured. As a tribute five of his films were shown, withMy Life So Faropening the festival.Revolution Revisitedwas the subject of a Q&A by the director.
Filmography
[edit]Documentary film
Year | Title | Director | Producer |
---|---|---|---|
1981 | Fangio: Una vita a 300 all'ora | Yes | Executive |
1995 | Lumière and Company | Partial | No |
2012 | Rupture: Living With My Broken Brain | Yes | Yes |
Feature film
- Chariots of Fire(1981)
- Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes(1984) (also producer)
- Revolution(1985)
- Lost Angels(1989)
- My Life So Far(1999)
- I Dreamed of Africa(2000)
- Altamira(2016)
Writer
- The Journey Home(2014) (Uncredited script revisions)
- Tiger's Nest(2022)
International awards
[edit]- 1981: Cannes Golden Palm – nomination –Chariots of Fire
- 1981: Toronto Audience Award –Chariots of Fire
- 1982: Academy Awards –Chariots of Fire– Best Picture; nomination as Best Director and 6 others
- 1982: Golden Globe – Best Foreign Film
- 1982: BAFTA – Best Picture. Chariots of Fire
- 1985. Academy Awards 4 Nominations – supporting actor. script. make up fxs.
- 1985: BFI – Technical achievement award –Greystoke
- 1985: Cesar Awards – nomination, Best Foreign Film –Greystoke
- 1985: Venice Film Festival Lion d'Or – nomination –Greystoke
- 1986: Golden Raspberry Award –Revolution– nomination as Worst Director
- 1989: Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival – nomination,Lost Angels
- 2000: Cannes Festival 2000 – nominated closing film –I Dreamed of Africa
- 2005: Taormina Festival – award for Cinematic Art
- 2007: Cairo Film Festival – Silver Pyramid Award
- 2009 Prague Film Festival – Special award for contribution to cinematic art
- 2014 Bulgaria Sofia Film Festival. Award for contribution to cinema.
- 2017 Serbia Film Festival – Victor award for cinematic art.
Member of jury
[edit]- Tokyo Film Festival (president) 1995
- Istanbul Film Festival (president) 2001
- Athens Film Festival (president) 2002
- San Sebastian Film Festival 2003
- Taormina (president and recipient of Arte award) Film Festival 2005
- Mar del Plata Festival 2005
- Tbilisi Film Festival (president) 2005
- Sarajevo Film Festival 2006 and 2008
- São Paulo Film Festival October 2008
- Marrakesh Film Festival November 2008
- Siberian Film Festival of Light (president) 2009
- Vologda Independent Cinema from European Screens Festival (VOICES Festival)(President) July 2011
- Bombay International Film Festival (president) 2011
- Tlibisi Film Festival 2016
- Lumiere Institution Lyon, France. Chariots of Fire and Fangio shown in weekend of sport in film
- Yerevan international festival ( president) 2017
References
[edit]- ^Sandra Brennan (2009)."New York Times".Movies & TV Dept.Baseline&All Movie Guide.Archived fromthe originalon 30 August 2009.Retrieved18 April2013.
- ^Dutta, Kunal (30 November 2007)."Great Scott – Forty years of RSA".Campaign.[permanent dead link]
- ^Canby, Vincent (25 September 1981)."Olympic Glory in 'Chariots of Fire'".The New York Times.Retrieved12 June2009.
- ^Solomons, Jason (22 March 2009)."'Pacino has never been more moving'".The Observer.The Guardian.Retrieved12 June2009.
- ^"Festival de Cannes: Lost Angels".festival-cannes.com.Archived fromthe originalon 17 September 2011.Retrieved1 August2009.
- ^"Film Overview".Ahmedosman.com. 1 May 2005.Retrieved18 April2013.
- ^Dickey l, Josh (18 April 2013)."Variety".Variety.Retrieved18 April2013.
- ^Staatstheater Braunschweig:Hexenjagd (The Crucible),Opera programme, 2015
- ^"Britain's Railway Advert"
- ^"Hudson's BA" Face "advert".Youtube.com.Archivedfrom the original on 13 December 2021.Retrieved18 April2013.
- ^"Hudson's Fiat Strada" Handbuilt by Robots "advert".Adland.tv. 22 February 1999.Retrieved18 April2013.
- ^"Benson & Hedges" Swimming Pool "advert".Veoh.com.Retrieved18 April2013.
- ^"Silverjet" Face "advert and original BA" Face "advert".Nitmesh.com. 4 October 2007.Retrieved18 April2013.
- ^"Courage Best" Gercha "advert".Veoh.com.Retrieved18 April2013.
- ^"Cinzano" Airplane "advert".Veoh.com.Retrieved18 April2013.
- ^"Chariots of Fire director Hugh Hudson dies aged 86".The Daily Telegraph.10 February 2023.Retrieved10 February2023.
- ^Anderson, Mae."Grand Prix Past Meets the Present."[permanent dead link]AdWeek.11 June 2003.
- ^Hugh Hudson's Levi's advertArchived8 July 2011 at theWayback Machineat theCannes Lions International Advertising Festival
- ^Hugh Hudson's Coty L'Aimant advertArchived22 July 2012 atarchive.todayat theCannes Lions International Advertising Festival
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Hugh HudsonatIMDb
- Hugh HudsonatBFI
- Hugh HudsonatTCM UK
- Hugh Hudsonat ScreenOnline
- Hugh HudsonatAllMovie
- Hugh Hudson showreel
- Hugh Hudsondiscography atDiscogs