It is a sad, sad truth that many of our greatest heroes are mostly unsung. In the film industry, it’s practically the norm: for every excellent actor or director that the average audience member knows by name, there are dozens of below the line geniuses without whom none of the movies we love would be lovable, and whose identities are often overlooked by throngs of excited fans.
One such genius is Douglas Slocombe, a name well-known to cineastes but perhaps not terribly well recognized by most. Slocombe was the director of photography for dozens of films over his nearly 50-year career, meaning that if you liked the way any of those movies looked, he deserved your applause. The original Indiana Jones films, Rollerball, and The Italian Job are just a few of his better known, most unforgettable films.
Sadly, Douglas Slocombe passed away this week, at the incredible age of 103. He retired over 25 years ago, but his work lives on, regularly playing on TV screens across the world and regularly reintroduced to new fans who owe him a debt of gratitude. Douglas Slocombe got his start as a photojournalist shortly before World War II and eventually turned his camera towards iconic comedies, thrilling adventures and serious dramas alike. He was so skilled that by the time he shot Raiders of the Lost Ark in the early 1980s, he didn’t even need a light meter. If you don’t know exactly what that means, let’s put it this way: shooting Raiders without a light meter would be like cooking the world’s most delicious ten-course meal without a sense of smell.
Douglas Slocombe deserves spectacular credit for his spectacular career. To say goodbye to this late, great titan, we present 14 particularly unforgettable films that he shot, and shot beautifully. Rest in peace, sir.
14 Unforgettable Films Shot By Douglas Slocombe:
Top Photo: United Artists
14 Unforgettable Films Shot By Douglas Slocombe
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Dead of Night (1945)
One of the first great anthology horror films features a group of mostly scary, sometimes terrifying tales told by the visitors at a sleepy inn. Michael Redgrave's haunted ventriloquist act will stick with you, and the ending will knock your socks off.
Photo: Universal Pictures
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Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
In the best of the Ealing comedies, Alec Guinness played eight people who were all killed by the same man.
Photo: Eagle-Lions Films
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The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)
A square bank clerk and a feisty thief steal a bunch of gold together in this dark, classic Ealing comedy from the '50s.
Photo: GFD
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The Fearless Vampire Killers, or: Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are in My Neck (1967)
Roman Polanski directed this visually sumptuous, but incredbile broad comedy spoof. The dance of the vampires is an iconic Douglas Slocombe moment.
Photo: Warner Bros.
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The Lion in Winter (1968)
This Oscar-winner told the story of King Henry II as a hothouse of soap opera emotions and excellent performances, from the likes of Peter O'Toole, Katharine Hepburn and Anthony Hopkins.
Photo: AVCO Embassy
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The Italian Job (1969)
One of the best of all the British caper movies of the 1970s, this gold heist flick features some of the best car chases ever, and one doozy of an ending.
Photo: Paramount
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Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)
This energetic adaptation of the Christ-themed rock musical is rollicking and fun, and just as strange as ever.
Photo: Universal
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The Great Gatsby (1974)
Although arguably the worst of the Gatsby adaptations, the handsome 1974 version probably looks the best, courtesy of Douglas Slocombe.
Photo: Paramount
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Rollerball (1975)
The most popular sport of the future is a high-octane roller derby. Watching this odd and ambitious sci-fi film, you kind of buy it.
Photo: United Artists
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Julia (1977)
This Oscar-winner is all about Lillian Hellman and her attempts to smuggle funds into Nazi Germany.
Photo: 20th Century Fox
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Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Perhaps the best of all action films, Raiders dictated the look of movie adventure for decades, and some still argue that it has yet to be topped.
Photo: Paramount
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The Pirates of Penzance (1983)
This spirited film version of the famed Gilbert & Sullivan musical is one of the more energetic productions on record.
Photo: Universal
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Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Gorier and weirder than the first Indiana Jones adventure, Temple of Doom frightened a whole generation of kids.
Photo: Paramount
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Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Slocombe's final credit as a photographer, the third Indiana Jones film is often mentioned in the same breath as the famed original. Good, spirited, funny and fun.
Photo: Paramount
