August 29 - Richard Attenborough

 

Happy Birthday, Richard Atteborough! Born today in 1923 as Richard Samuel Attenborough, this English politician, entrepreneur, actor, producer and director was one of England's most respected stars and filmmakers. 

He had made numerous contributions to world cinema both in his nuanced work in front of and behind the camera. He was also known for his dynamic onscreen presence and charity efforts. 

Attenborough was educated at Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys in Leicester and studied later at RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art). 

In September 1939, the Attenborough family took in two German Jewish refugee girls, Helga and Irene Bejach (aged nine and eleven respectively).  

Both of them lived with the Attenboroughs in College House and were adopted by the family after World War II when it was discovered that their parents had been killed. 

During World War II, Attenborough served in the Royal Air Force from 1940–1945. 

After initial pilot training, he was seconded to the newly formed Royal Air Force Film Production Unit at Pinewood Studios.This was under the command of English Flight Lieutenant John Boulting. 

During this time, Boulting direct Attenborough and Edwin G. Robinson in the 1945 American black and white war/drama propaganda film 'Journey Together'. 

The following year, Attenborough co-starred in the first role of which he is best known. This was Powell and Pressburger's 1946 British black and white/Technicolor fantasy/romance film 'A Matter of Life and Death'.  

In the United States, the film originally released under the title 'Stairway to Heaven'. Attenborough was credited as English Pilot. 

Attenborough later volunteered to fly with the Film Unit and after further training, where he sustained permanent ear damage, qualified as a sergeant, flying on several missions over Europe filming from the rear gunner's position to record the outcome of RAF Bomber Command sorties.

Two years after 'A Matter of Life and Death', Boulting directed Attenborough as the vicious criminal Pinkie Brown. This was in the 1946 British black and white crime/thriller film 'Brighton Rock', produced by Boulting's identical twin brother Roy.

The film had been based off of English writer and journalist Graham Greene's 1938 British thriller novel of the same name.

In the early 1950s, Boulting's other brother, English director, producer, actor, writer and production manager Peter Cotes, directed Attenborough in English writer Dame Agatha Christie's 1952 British crime fiction murder mystery play The Mousetrap. 

In the early 1960s, Attenborough co-starred in the second role of which he is best known. This was JohnI Sturges' epic 1963 American De Luxe war/action film 'The Great Escape'. This was as RAF Squadron leader Roger Bartlett "Big X".

In the 1976 New Year Honours, having the honour conferred on February 10, 1976 and on July 30, 1993, he was created a life peer as Baron Attenborough, of Richmond upon Thames in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.  

In the early 1980s, Attenborough produced and directed the film of which he is best known. This was the epic 1982 British/Indian period biographical film 'Gandhi'. 

This acclaimed biographical drama presents major events in the life of Mohandas Gandhi (Ben Kingsley), the beloved Indian leader who stood against British rule over his country. 

The film opens on January 30, 1948, where an elderly Gandhi is helped out for his evening walk to meet a large number of greeters and admirers. 

One visitor, Indian political activist Nathuram Godse, shoots Gandhi point blank in the chest. Afterwards, the rest of the feature is told in flashback. 

Dedicated to the concept of nonviolent resistance, Gandhi is initially dismissed by English officials, including the influential Lord Irwin (John Gielgud). 

However, eventually he and his cause become internationally renowned, and his gatherings of passive protest move India towards independence. 

The epic also co-stars Candice Bergen, Martin Sheen, Daniel-Day Lewis, Ian Charleson, Bernard Hill, Nigel Hawthorne, Richard Griffiths and John Ratzenberger. 

Said Attenborough of 'Gandhi': "The truth is that I never wanted to be a director at all. I just wanted to direct that film." 

The following year, 'Gandhi' received three BAFTA Awards for Best Film, Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Rohini Hattangadi). This occurred at the 36th British Academy Film awards in late Mach 1983. 

One month later, 'Gandhi' received a leading eleven nominations but won eight Oscars. 

These included Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Writing (Original Screenplay), Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Costume Design, and Best Production Design. This occurred at the 55th Academy Awards in mid-April 1983. 

In the early 1990s, Attenborough co-starred in the third and final role of which he is best known. This was Steven Spielberg's 1993 American science fiction/adventure film 'Jurassic Park'. This was as John Hammond. 

In 1999, 'A Matter of Life and Death' was placed 20th on the British Film Institute’s of Best 100 Films. 

In 2004, a poll by the magazine Total Film of twenty-five film critics named 'A Matter of Life and Death' the second greatest British film ever made. It was ranked 90th among critics, and 322nd among directors. 

This was behind English screenwriter, film director, playwright and novelist Mike Hodges' 1971 British crime/thriller film 'Get Carter'. 

In August 2008, Attenborough entered hospital with heart problems and was fitted with a pacemaker.  

In December 2008, he suffered a fall at his home after a stroke and was admitted to St George's Hospital, Tooting, South West London.  

In November 2009, Attenborough, in what he called a "house clearance" sale, sold part of his extensive art collection. 

From this, he generated £4.6 million ($5,602,800) at Sotheby's. 

In January 2011, Attenborough sold his Rhubodach estate on the Scottish Isle of Bute for £1.48 million ($1,802,566). 

In May 2011, his younger brother, English broadcaster and natural historian David Attenborough, said that his brother had been confined to a wheelchair since his stroke in 2008, but was still capable of holding a conversation. He added that "he won't be making any more films." 

He also stated: "He and his wife both loved the house, but they now need full-time care. It simply isn't practical to keep the house on any more." 

In 2012 Sight & Sound polls, 'A Matter of Life and Death' ranked 90th among critics, and 322nd among directors as one of the greatest films ever made. 

In December 2012, in light of Attenborough's deteriorating health, he then moved into the same nursing home in London to be with his wife, as confirmed by their son, English theatre director Michael. 

Attenborough died on August 24, 2014, five days before his 91st birthday. He passed in London, England, United Kingdom. Attenborough was 90. He is currently survived by David. 

Although the cause of death was not immediately clear. Attenborough's remarkable career had spanned six decades. 

He was survived by his wife of sixty-none years, their two younger children, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren.

Among his other directorial credits, Attenborough is known for 'A Bridge Too Far' (1977),'Magic' (1978), 'Cry Freedom' (1987), 'Chaplin' (1992), and 'Shadowlands' (1993). 

Attenborough had been active from 1942–2008. 

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