David Lean (I) (1908–1991)

Editor | Director | Writer

An important British filmmaker, David Lean was born in Croydon on March 25, 1908 and brought up in ...

Born: March 25, 1908
Died: April 16, 1991 (age 83)

Photos

Filmography

Known For

The Bridge on the River Kwai Director (1957)
Lawrence of Arabia Director (1962)
Doctor Zhivago Director (1965)
Known For

A Passage to India Editor (1984)
Director

A Passage to India (1984)
Lost and Found: The Story of Cook's Anchor (1979)
Ryan's Daughter (1970)
Doctor Zhivago (1965)
The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
Summertime (1955)
Hobson's Choice (1954)
The Sound Barrier (1952)
Madeleine (1950)
The Passionate Friends (1949)
Oliver Twist (1948)
Great Expectations (1946)
Brief Encounter (1945)
Blithe Spirit (1945)
This Happy Breed (1944)
In Which We Serve (1942)
Director

Major Barbara (1941)
Writer

A Passage to India (1984)
Lost and Found: The Story of Cook's Anchor (1979)
Summertime (1955)
Hobson's Choice (1954)
The Passionate Friends (1949)
Oliver Twist (1948)
Great Expectations (1946)
Brief Encounter (1945)
Blithe Spirit (1945)
Writer

This Happy Breed (1944)
Actor

Lawrence of Arabia Motorcyclist by Suez Canal (1962)
Summertime Man at Café (1955)
Actor

Money for Speed Reporter (1933)
Producer

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Hobson's Choice (1954)
Producer

The Sound Barrier (1952)
Editor

A Passage to India (1984)
In Which We Serve (1942)
One of Our Aircraft Is Missing (1942)
49th Parallel (1941)
Major Barbara (1941)
French Without Tears (1940)
Spies of the Air (1939)
Pygmalion (1938)
The Last Adventurers (1937)
Wife of General Ling (1937)
Dreaming Lips (1937)
As You Like It (1936)
With Pleasure, Madame (1936)
Turn of the Tide (1935)
The Crouching Beast (1935)
Escape Me Never (1935)
Brewster's Millions (1935)
Java Head (1934)
The Secret of the Loch (1934)
Dangerous Ground (1934)
Tiger Bay (1934)
The Fortunate Fool (1934)
Matinee Idol (1933)
Song of the Plough (1933)
The Ghost Camera (1933)
Money for Speed (1933)
Insult (1932)
These Charming People (1931)
Editor

The Night Porter (1930)
Archive footage

Hollywood Insider (2021)
Omar Sharif - Aus dem Leben eines Nomaden (2020)
The Movies (2019)
What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael (2018)
Robert Mitchum, le mauvais garçon d'Hollywood (2017)
Talking Pictures (2014-2017)
The Lure of the Desert: Martin Scorsese on Lawrence of Arabia (2013)
Arena (2003-2012)
The Story of Film: An Odyssey (2011)
The Many Faces of... (2010)
Doctor Zhivago: A Celebration (2010)
David Lean and His Dedicated Maniacs (2009)
David Lean in Close-Up (2009)
Il était une fois... (2008)
The Ultimate Film (2004)
The Making of 'Lawrence of Arabia' (2003)
The Making of 'Lawrence of Arabia' (2000)
The Best of Hollywood (1998)
Lights, Camera, Action!: A Century of the Cinema (1996)
'Doctor Zhivago': The Making of a Russian Epic (1995)
Wyatt Earp: Walk with a Legend (1994)
Great Performances (1993)
The South Bank Show (1992)
Archive footage

At the Movies (1991)
Film Time (1955)
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director

High Treason (1929)
Balaclava (1928)
The Physician (1928)
Sailors Don't Care (1928)
Additional Crew

Major Barbara (1941)
Quinneys (1927)
Editorial Department

Major Barbara (1941)
Spy for a Day (1940)
Camera and Electrical Department

Palais de danse (1928)

Videos

Awards

Did You Know

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 ...