(London) Hugh Hudson, British filmmaker who made his directorial debut with the Oscar-winning drama Olympic chariots of fire, and who has made films as popular as My Life So Far and Oscar runner-up Greystroke, the legend of Tarzandied at age 86.
Hudson’s family released a brief statement announcing that he died in a London hospital on Friday “after a short illness”.
Originally from London, Hugh Hudson started out as an editor and producer of documentaries and also worked in television advertising before finding work in feature films in the late 1970s as a second unit director on Midnight Express by Alan Parker.
In 1981, producer David Puttnam asked Hudson to direct The Chariots of Firewhich featured Ben Cross and Nigel Havers as British athletes of contrasting religions and backgrounds at the 1924 Olympics.
With its inspiring plot and sentimental theme music by Greek composer Vangelis, The Chariots of Fire was a solid commercial success and won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Music.
Best Director Oscar nominee Mr. Hudson later helped produce a stage adaptation of the Trolleys for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
His subsequent films had mixed success. Greystroke, the legend of Tarzanmade in 1984 and starring Ralph Richardson in his last film role, was a box office success that received three Oscar nominations.
But two years later he was nominated for a Golden Raspberry for directing the critical and commercial flop. Revolution.
He also made My Life So Far, The Crossroads of the Innocents And Altamira. He also co-wrote The Tiger’s Nesta 2022 release.
According to his family statement, Hugh Hudson is survived by his wife, Maryam, his son, Thomas, and his first wife, Sue.