David Lean

format_quote Don't make jokes about food.

stars  Biography in: John Wakeman, editor. "World Film Directors, Volume One, 1890- 1945". Pages 633-639. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1987.

stars  Was in final pre-production for the filming of "Nostromo" (based on the Joseph Conrad novel) when he died.

stars  Once screened Lawrence of Arabia (1962) with Steven Spielberg. Lean gave Spielberg a "live director's commentary" (as Spielberg put it). Spielberg said it was one of the best moments of his life, learning from a true master. Consequently, Spielberg stated that it helped him make better pictures and that commentary directly influenced every movie he has made since.

stars  Towards the end of his life, he said he'd like to have another go at filming Boris Pasternak's "Doctor Zhivago." The prerequisite for remaking the film would be the casting of Julie Christie once again as Lara, but since she would be too old for the part, he wouldn't be able to do it.

stars  He was made a Fellow of the British Film Institute in recognition of his outstanding contribution to film culture.