John Boorman

Sir John Boorman CBE is an esteemed figure in the film industry, known worldwide for his work as a British film director, producer, and screenwriter. Born on January 18, 1933, in Shepperton, Middlesex, England, Boorman is perhaps best known for his directorial role in several well-known films such as Point Blank (1967), Deliverance (1972), Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977), Excalibur (1981), The Emerald Forest (1985), and Queen and Country (2014). His career, spanning over an impressive six decades, boasts 20 directed films and five Academy Award nominations, including two for Best Director. Recognized widely not only for his film-making talents but also for his contribution to the industry at large, Boorman is the recipient of the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship for his lifetime achievement in 2004, and a knighthood awarded in 2022.

In his early life, Boorman was the son of George Boorman and Ivy Chapman. His work preceding the film industry included a conscription for military services, becoming a clerical instructor in the British Army, and working as a journalist and dry cleaner. His first documentary about professional football, Six Days to Saturday, focused on a week in the life of second division English club, Swindon Town. He branched out into the movie industry with his directorial debut, Catch Us If You Can (1965), which received positive reviews from critics. Boorman's personal life saw him marry and divorce three times, with a total of seven children from his two marriages. His base of operations varied from Hollywood to his settled home in the Republic of Ireland, and each film he worked on presented a unique plot, theme, and setting.