David Lean
(1908-1991), Film directorSir David Lean
Sitter in 23 portraits
Film director. Born in Croydon, London, he began in the film industry as a clapperboard boy working his way up to become an editor of news programmes and fictional features. His early directorial successes came about through collaboration with Noel Coward and the pair worked together on four films: In Which We Serve (1942), This Happy Breed (1944), Blithe Spirit (1945) and Brief Encounter (1945). Other early successes came with Great Expectations (1946) and Oliver Twist (1948). Later in his career he became identified particularly with big budget, strong narrative epics such as Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Dr Zhivago (1965), Ryan's Daughter (1970) and A Passage to India (1984).
by David Gamble
toned bromide print, 1991
NPG P633
by Baron (Sterling Henry Nahum), for Camera Press
bromide press print, circa 1946
NPG x194383
by George Courtney Ward
vintage print, 1949
NPG x135638
by Unknown photographer
bromide press print, circa 1949
NPG x184153
by Leslie H. Baker
gelatin silver print, 1949?
NPG x198429
David Lean; Leila Lean (née Matkar)
by Unknown photographer
gelatin silver print, July 1960
NPG x198430
David Lean, Peter O'Toole and Zia Mohyeddin on the set of 'Lawrence of Arabia'
by Associated Press
bromide press print, July 1961
NPG x184047
Peter O'Toole, David Lean, Jack Hedley and Jack Hawkins on the set of 'Lawrence of Arabia'
by P.A. Reuter Photos Ltd
vintage print, 8 September 1962
NPG x194156
David Lean and Sarah Miles on the set of 'Ryan's Daughter'
by Unknown photographer
bromide press print, June 1970
NPG x184045
David Lean and Sarah Miles on the set of 'Ryan's Daughter'
by Unknown photographer
bromide press print, June 1970
NPG x184046
David Lean and Sir John Mills on the set of 'Ryan's Daughter'
by Unknown photographer
bromide press print, June 1970
NPG x184048
after Sir David Low
halftone reproduction tear sheet, published 18 June 1949
NPG D43337
Related People
- Leila Lean (née Matkar) (wife)
- (Edward) Tangye Lean (brother)
- Dorothy Annie ('Ann') Todd (wife)
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