Jon Kukla Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 I've started to hear some rumblings that, unfortunately, he may have died last night. If this is true, I have to say that I'm very upset to hear it - I had the good fortune to have hung out with him several times, and his autobiography is intelligent, wry, and hilarious. As for his films, where to begin? My roommate just recently acquired the entire set of BTF DVDs the BFI released. I shall definitely be checking these out soon to see his earlier work that I'm less familiar with... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Brereton Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 According to www.davidwatkin.co.uk, he died around 10pm (gmt) last night, from cancer, at the age of 82. A very sad loss. My sympathies to his family and friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ignacio Aguilar Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Very sad news. He was one of the most influential cinematographers ever. Rest in peace Mr. Watkin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member David Mullen ASC Posted February 21, 2008 Premium Member Share Posted February 21, 2008 Another one of my heroes passes away... I think "Robin and Marion" was one of the first Watkin movies I had ever projected in a theater (at a revival house in college); I had seen "Help!" many times on TV as a kid. It was "The Three Musketeers" and its sequel that really caught my eye. And "Yentyl", which I saw in that period of college. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timHealy Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Oh man that is bad news. Not only is his work inspirational where he certainly left his mark, he was a gentleman. I had the opportunity to work for him on two films. Night Falls on Manhattan and a remake of Gloria. One minor detail that I was always intrigued by is that he banned electricians from using barn doors on lights. All the control and cutting was done by grips. He will be missed. Best Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Holland Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Dont know what to say ,we all have to go sometime but i am stunned cant belive it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Adam Frisch FSF Posted February 21, 2008 Premium Member Share Posted February 21, 2008 Very sad. I wrote him a letter in November including a check for his new book and he immediately wrote back and invited me and my AC for lunch at his house in Brighton after he had his op. Then when we wrote again he said that the doctors had been unable to op on him, and that he'd just have to "live" with it as he said. He suggested a lunch early in the new year, but sadly, it looks like he got worse and I didn't hear from him again. This trailblazing and hugely influential DP will be sorely missed. His style was way ahead of its time and one could go so far as to say that he was the father of the "Brit-invasion" look that would later change the way Hollywood films look. He was also a witty and intelligent man, by all accounts. Thnakfully, I should have his newest book waiting for me when I get back. BTW, not many DP's get a light named after themselves in their own time, but David "Wendy" Watkin, BSC did. RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francesco Bonomo Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 sad, sad news..such a great, influential cinematographer, and from what I've read around here and elsewhere, a lovely and kind human being. RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member David Mullen ASC Posted February 21, 2008 Premium Member Share Posted February 21, 2008 I have a copy of his book "Why Is There Only One Word for 'Thesaurus'?" -- tell me Adam if the second one is worth getting, or it's just the first book with some new chapters added. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Holland Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Adam i wrote to David after seeing "The Three Musketeers" , he was living in a lovely house in Roehampton with views over Richmond Park .He invited me to dinner at that house ,his house keeper had done a cold roast pork meal all David had to do was boil the potatos . That meal meeting went on all night he gave me a Gossen Lunasix meter he used on "Catch 22" . I then went with him to Northern Spain to do prep. on " Robin and Marion" testing the then new dreadful 5247 . I didnt work on the main unit shooting due to personal reasons which i wont mention now as it such a sad day for me . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Buick Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Adam i wrote to David after seeing "The Three Musketeers" , he was living in a lovely house in Roehampton with views over Richmond Park .He invited me to dinner at that house ,his house keeper had done a cold roast pork meal all David had to do was boil the potatos . That meal meeting went on all night he gave me a Gossen Lunasix meter he used on "Catch 22" . I then went with him to Northern Spain to do prep. on " Robin and Marion" testing the then new dreadful 5247 . I didnt work on the main unit shooting due to personal reasons which i wont mention now as it such a sad day for me . He seems like a wonderful person. I'm very sorry to hear he's gone. My condolances to his family and friends. Cancer is such a drealful killer. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tim Partridge Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I have been quite upset about this. I had the chance to meet Mr. Watkin on more than two occassions but felt these moments inappropriate, that I didn't wish to bother him and that I should wait for the right time. Deflating. Mr. Watkin's unique brand of edgeless photography is one of the reasons I visit this forum and even express an interest in the artform of cinematography. Too many only really know his work for OUT OF AFRICA (and as a die hard Watkin fan it is not even a favourite, even though it is mindblowing)! Please go out of your way to watch these films (even just for the cinematography): THE KNACK AND HOW TO GET IT HELP! MARAT/SADE HOW I WON THE WAR CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE THE BED SITTING ROOM CATCH 22 THE DEVILS THE THREE MUSKETEERS THE FOUR MUSKETEERS ROBIN AND MARIAN JESUS OF NAZARETH CHARIOTS OF FIRE YENTYL RETURN TO OZ WHITE NIGHTS MOONSTRUCK MEMPHIS BELLE HAMLET Even JANE EYRE and TEA WITH MUSSOLINI Timeless cinematography. My thoughts are of course with Mr. Watkin's friends and family at this sad time. Just looking at his website, at how many have purchased his book, you can see that Mr Watkin was a much loved person and cameraman. I would like to conclude with a personal favourite from a personal favourite :) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrHQ8yYFREM...feature=related Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lowe Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Somehow I missed this when he died early last year. Probably the first movie I saw shot by Mr Watkin was "Endless Love," when I was waaaay too young to be watching a movie like that. Re-watching it recently, wow, that movie is a beautiful piece of photography. I would like to read his books. RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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