Jack Cardiff 1914-2009


I just found out that Jack Cardiff died today. Wikipedia describes Cardiff's career as: "spanning the development of cinema, from silent film, through early experiments in Technicolor (and, less successfully, Smell-o-vision), to film making in the 21st century. He was best known for his influential cinematography for directors such as Powell, Huston and Hitchcock." I knew him as an innovator of Technicolor film, and for his film "Black Narcissus" (1947). A lot of his early work was shot in the studio, yet it didn't look it. It is a testimonial to his skill as a director of photography that his films still are admired and loved.

Cardiff won his cinematography Oscar for the 1947 film "Black Narcissus", which was directed by the legendary duo of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.

Cardiff received two more nominations in the same category for "War and Peace" in 1956 and "Fanny" in 1961.*

Jack Cardiff was a legend," said British Film Institute Director Amanda Nevill.

"He was a world-class cinematographer who pioneered the techniques of shooting in Technicolor. "He made a unique contribution to some of the greatest films ever made."

It always sad to say good-bye to such a talented man, but it is always great to have his material available for us to enjoy over and over again.

If you like to see some stills and listen to Cardiff talk about his photography, and his film career go to Cardiffs web site. He was an astounding still photographer also.


* AFP

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