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).
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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