Alex Thomson (cinematographer)
Alex Thomson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 12 January 1929 London, England |
| Died | 14 June 2007 (aged 78) |
| Occupation | Cinematographer |
| Years active | 1947–2004 |
| Spouse | Diana Thomson |
| Children | 1 |
| President of the British Society of Cinematographers | |
| In office 1980–1982 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Huke |
| Succeeded by | Tony Imi |
Alexander Thomson BSC (12 January 1929 – 14 June 2007[1]) was an English cinematographer and former president of the British Society of Cinematographers.[2]
He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography[3] for his work on John Boorman's Excalibur (1981).
The BSC posthumously described him as "a cinematographer's cinematographer."[4]
Early life
Thomson was born and raised in the Kingsbury district of London. His father was a tailor, whose clients included Anthony Havelock-Allan.[2]
Career
As a teenager, Thomson was offered a job by Bert Easey, who was head of cameras at Denham and Pinewood Studios. He entered the film industry as a clapper boy.
After that, he went on to serve as a camera operator under cinematographer Nicolas Roeg throughout the 60s, until he made his debut as a cinematographer with the film Ervinka (1967).
Thomson was the original director of photography for Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), but during the first week of principal photography, he was seriously injured after falling from a camera crane. Cinematographer Douglas Slocombe was then brought up as replacement.[1][2]
During his recovery, Thomson worked as second unit for Oswald Morris on The Man Who Would Be King (1975) and The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (1976), and additional photography on Superman (1978).
In 1980, Thomson was brought in to shoot John Boorman's Excalibur, replacing Tony Pierce-Roberts.[5][6] Thomson's work on the Arthurian fantasy epic subsequently earned him a nomination for Academy Award for Best Cinematography.
From 1980 to 1982, Thomson served as the 16th President of the British Society of Cinematographers.[7]
Style and techniques
Thomson was an avid user of Joe Dunton's custom-built Xtal Xpress anamorphic lenses, shooting many of his more high-profile projects with them.[8]
Personal life and death
He was married to the sculptor Diana Thomson, and they had a daughter, Chyna.[9]
Thomson died on 14 June 2007, at the age of 78, in Chertsey, Surrey.[1]
He is featured in the book Conversations with Cinematographers by David A. Ellis, published by Scarecrow Press.[10]
Filmography
Film
Short film
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | LHR | Mike Fox |
| 1981 | The Last of Linda Cleer | Bob Mahoney |
| 1998 | The Man Who Couldn't Open Doors | Paul Arden |
| 1999 | The Troop | Marcus Dillistone |
| 2003 | Listening | Kenneth Branagh |
| 2004 | Der letzte Flug | Roger Moench |
TV movies
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | The Going Up of David Lev | James F. Collier |
| 1981 | Skokie | Herbert Wise |
TV series
| Year | Title | Director | Episode |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | ABC Weekend Special | Robert Fuest | "The Gold Bug" |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Academy Awards | Best Cinematography[3] | Excalibur | Nominated |
| British Society of Cinematographers | Best Cinematography | Nominated | ||
| 1983 | Eureka | Nominated | ||
| 1985 | Legend | Won | ||
| 1996 | Hamlet | Won | ||
| 2002 | Lifetime Achievement Award | N/a | Won | |
| 1996 | Camerimage | Golden Frog | Hamlet | Nominated |
| 1980 | Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming | ABC Weekend Special ("The Gold Bug") |
Won |
| 1996 | Satellite Awards | Best Cinematography | Hamlet | Nominated |
References
- 1 2 3 Bergan, Ronald (5 July 2007). "Alex Thomson". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- 1 2 3 Williams, Tom (11 April 2024). "BSC Heritage Series / Alex Thomson BSC". British Cinematographer. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- 1 2 "The 54th Academy Awards | 1982". www.oscars.org. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ↑ "BSC Members | British Society of Cinematographers". bscine.com. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ↑ "ALEX THOMSON". 9 May 2021. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
- ↑ Williams, Tom (11 April 2024). "BSC Heritage Series / Alex Thomson BSC". British Cinematographer. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ↑ "Past BSC Presidents | British Society of Cinematographers". bscine.com. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ↑ Canby, Vincent (18 April 1986). "THE SCREEN: RIDLEY SCOTT'S 'LEGEND'". The New York Times.
- ↑ "Diana Thomson" Silver Wood Books. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ↑ Ellis, David A. (25 October 2011). "12". Conversations with Cinematographers. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. doi:10.5771/9780810881273-137. ISBN 978-0-8108-8126-6.