Feature

David Watkin and his rugs

About twenty years ago the morning the front door bell rang. At the time I was living in a Brunswick Road barrel fronted Regency... »

Memories of DW – Betty Mulcahy

Briefly, I was married in 1940 to my schoolgirl sweetheart who was then killed by so-called Friendly Fire on 21st December 1943, leading RAF... »

Hello, I am Jurgen from Graz…, Exercises in Style.

Apart from poetry and jazz, what else discomforted Mister Watkin? - certainly word play and anagrams. Puns were associated with David Plumtree (see Holleyman... »

Three Musical Heroes

Ascending the Hierarchy of Conductors we come three conductors at whose rostra Mr.Watkin worshipped. They could do no wrong. In ascending order then, Hans Knappertsbusch Willem Mendelberg Wilhelm... »

On the Set of Catch-22

“The visual style of the film is the province of the lighting director, David Watkin, whose work on Charge of the Light Brigade particularly... »

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Charge of the Light Brigade – 1968

Directed by Tony Richardson Written by Charles Wood Cinematography: David Watkin Film Editing: Kevin Brownlow and Hugh Raggett The Charge of the Light Brigade is a British war film made in 1968 by Woodfall Film Productions, which held the rights to the 1936 film version at the time. It was directed by Tony Richardson. The screenplay was written by... »

Eating off blue and white china

Spode Robert’s ‘Morning Kick’ tea. Smoked Salmon, a quarter of lemon and a slice of wholemeal bread – eaten at the glass topped table or out in the courtyard… Sweet white dessert wine. Summer Pudding, weighted down by a stone cannon ball. A stack of crumpets beside the fire… Little Scarlett jam. Roast Beef and... »

Awards

Goldfinger (1964) Cinematographer: title sequence (uncredited). Pictured: DW behind the camera. Academy Awards, USA Oscar Winner The 58th Annual Academy Awards Oscar Best Cinematography for: Out of Africa (1985) BAFTA Awards 1987 Won BAFTA Film Award Best Cinematography for: Out of Africa (1985) 1982 Nominated BAFTA Film Award Best Cinematography for: Chariots of Fire (1981) 1978 Nominated BAFTA TV Award Best Film Cameraman for:... »

Some comments on ‘Thesaurus’

Some quotes, taken from literally, worlds apart: Jim Ballentyne “This is an exercise in self-publishing, the handsomest I have ever come across. Many a commercial publisher should sit down with it. The design of the whole book, from dust jacket (lovely picture of the author at work!) through page layout to binding is exemplary, Jim Ballentyne”. David... »

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Welcome

We welcome you to the David Watkin website that celebrates the work and life of that remarkable cinematographer. We trace his contributions to documentary, commercial and feature film-making, relating his achievements and innovations to the very character of the man, complex and perverse, innocent yet knowing at the same time. He wore his learning lightly but with much seriousness.

Find out what it was to work with David Watkin on sound stage and beyond, to keep him supplied with jokes, food, music, books, pictures and all sorts of other intriguing information. Read within the memories of friends, critics, colleagues and other amused observers.

We invite you to add your own impressions to our interactive database.

Invitation to Contribute…

The website was initiated as a response to the hundreds of friends of David Watkin who wished to contribute to an archive of memories of this remarkable man. The editors are the designer Rachael Adams and the historian Chris Mullen who were in contact with him in Brighton on a weekly, often daily, basis.

Copyright of the words and images to be found here is held by the editors from their personal collection, and by contributing friends and colleagues who have answered the appeal.