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David Watkin(1925-2008)

  • Cinematographer
  • Camera and Electrical Department
  • Production Department
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
David Watkin was born on March 23rd 1925 to a middle class family in Kent, England. Being fond of classical music, he originally wanted to become a pianist despite the lack of support from his religious father.

Watkin served shortly in World War II before finally beginning his career in cinema. His break into the film world arrived when he shot the memorable title sequence for the film 'Goldfinger', in 1964. Being an innovator in cinematography, he was known as having an artistic technique- almost picturesque. His most famous works are 'Jesus of Nazareth', 'Moonstruck', 'Out of Africa', and many other known titles.
BornMarch 23, 1925
DiedFebruary 19, 2008(82)
BornMarch 23, 1925
DiedFebruary 19, 2008(82)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Add photos, demo reels
  • Won 1 Oscar
    • 9 wins & 10 nominations total

Known for

Robert Redford and Meryl Streep in Out of Africa (1985)
Out of Africa
7.2
  • Cinematographer
  • 1985
Brad Davis, Ben Cross, Yves Beneyton, Colin Bruce, Ian Charleson, Dennis Christopher, Patrick Doyle, Nicholas Farrell, Daniel Gerroll, Stephen Mallatratt, Alan Polonsky, Struan Rodger, Edward Wiley, Benny Young, and David John in Chariots of Fire (1981)
Chariots of Fire
7.1
  • Cinematographer
  • 1981
Sean Astin, Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz, D.B. Sweeney, Billy Zane, Harry Connick Jr., Tate Donovan, Reed Diamond, Courtney Gains, and Neil Giuntoli in Memphis Belle (1990)
Memphis Belle
6.9
  • Cinematographer
  • 1990
Catch-22 (1970)
Catch-22
7.1
  • Cinematographer
  • 1970

Credits

IMDbPro

Cinematographer



  • Lover's Prayer (2001)
    Lover's Prayer
    4.8
    • Cinematographer
    • 2001
  • Cher, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Lily Tomlin, and Joan Plowright in Tea with Mussolini (1999)
    Tea with Mussolini
    6.9
    • Cinematographer
    • 1999
  • Sharon Stone and Jean-Luke Figueroa in Gloria (1999)
    Gloria
    5.2
    • Cinematographer
    • 1999
  • James Spader and Kyra Sedgwick in Critical Care (1997)
    Critical Care
    5.9
    • Cinematographer
    • 1997
  • Obsession (1997)
    Obsession
    5.2
    • Cinematographer
    • 1997
  • Through Roses
    • Cinematographer
    • 1997
  • Andy Garcia in Night Falls on Manhattan (1996)
    Night Falls on Manhattan
    6.7
    • Cinematographer
    • 1996
  • Whoopi Goldberg, Gérard Depardieu, and Haley Joel Osment in Bogus (1996)
    Bogus
    5.4
    • Cinematographer
    • 1996
  • William Hurt and Charlotte Gainsbourg in Jane Eyre (1996)
    Jane Eyre
    6.8
    • Cinematographer
    • 1996
  • Melanie Griffith, Ed Harris, Michael Patrick Carter, Brian Christopher, and Adam LaVorgna in Milk Money (1994)
    Milk Money
    5.7
    • director of photography
    • 1994
  • Bopha! (1993)
    Bopha!
    6.4
    • Cinematographer
    • 1993
  • Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ellen Barkin in This Boy's Life (1993)
    This Boy's Life
    7.2
    • director of photography
    • 1993
  • Marcello Mastroianni, Shirley MacLaine, Kathy Bates, Marcia Gay Harden, and Jessica Tandy in Used People (1992)
    Used People
    6.2
    • Cinematographer
    • 1992
  • The Cabinet of Dr. Ramirez (1991)
    The Cabinet of Dr. Ramirez
    5.4
    • Cinematographer
    • 1991
  • Andie MacDowell and John Malkovich in The Object of Beauty (1991)
    The Object of Beauty
    5.6
    • Cinematographer
    • 1991

Camera and Electrical Department



  • George Michael in George Michael: A Different Corner (1986)
    George Michael: A Different Corner
    6.8
    Music Video
    • cinematographer
    • 1986
  • Sean Connery, Honor Blackman, and Shirley Eaton in Goldfinger (1964)
    Goldfinger
    7.7
    • cinematographer: title sequence (uncredited)
    • 1964
  • Under Night Streets (1958)
    Under Night Streets
    7.2
    Short
    • photographer
    • 1958
  • Service for Southend (1957)
    Service for Southend
    6.5
    Short
    • camera work
    • 1957
  • Snowdrift at Bleath Gill (1955)
    Snowdrift at Bleath Gill
    7.4
    Short
    • assistant camera (uncredited)
    • 1955
  • The Lake District (1954)
    The Lake District
    Short
    • assistant camera
    • 1954
  • A Letter for Wales (1960)
    West Country Journey
    6.6
    Short
    • assistant camera (uncredited)
    • 1953
  • Peep Behind the Scenes
    Short
    • camera operator (uncredited)
    • 1946

Production Department



  • London's Country
    Short
    • production assistant
    • 1954
  • A Letter for Wales (1960)
    The Heart of England
    6.3
    Short
    • production assistant
    • 1954

Personal details

  • Alternative name
    • David Watkins
  • Born
    • March 23, 1925
    • Margate, Kent, England, UK
  • Died
    • February 19, 2008
    • Brighton, East Sussex, England, UK(prostate cancer)
  • Spouse
    • Nick Hand? - February 19, 2008 (his death)
  • Other works
    Commercial for the German Social Democrats directed by Daniel Bergman in the mid 1990's.
  • Publicity listings
    • 4 Articles

Did you know

  • Trivia
    He devised the Wendy Light, a lighting rig consisting of a grid of many lights on a gantry suspended in the air, which is now the standard technique for lighting exterior night-time scenes. "Wendy" was the nickname that he was given by the electricians who worked for him.
  • Quotes
    [on being asked about his well-known habit of sleeping on the set] "Well, it's the one thing you can do on a movie set that doesn't make you more tired!"
  • Trademark
    Pioneer in cinematography with soft and bounced light
  • Nickname
    • Wendy

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