BAFTA Archive

Sir David Lean Showcase

26 October 09

From a love-struck couple in a Lancashire station cafe to a tiny figure shimmering on a desert horizon, Sir David Lean provided cinema with some of its most memorable moments. Although he directed only 16 feature films in a 40 year career, Lean remains one of Britain’s most revered and inspirational film-makers.

Alongside his many cinematic achievements, Lean also had a strong impact on the Academy’s history - from its inception in 1947 as the British Film Academy until his death in 1991. Lean always worked with passion, commitment and generosity to champion the art forms of the moving image.

In the year of his centenary, we explore Sir David Lean’s remarkable career and his influence on the Academy’s evolution over time. Opening up our Archive, we reveal rare documents, trace his career highlights and republish BAFTA articles paying tribute to the master film-maker.

• Sir David Lean Biography
• Sir David Lean Filmography

David Lean centenary

David Lean was born on 25 March 1908 in Croydon, Surrey. Various organisations chose to mark his centenary in 2008 alongside BAFTA. These include:

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David Lean Archive Features

The Making of Lawrence of Arabia

Lord Puttnam on David Lean

Sir David Lean: A Fitting Farewell

Addressing the Membership - 1948

What Price Glory?

Lean's Letter to the Academy

Official Opening of the David Lean Room

Sir David Lean (1908-1991)

David Lean Filmography

Attenborough on Lean

A Man with Intent