British filmmaker John Irvin, best known for directing the acclaimed BBC miniseries Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, has died at the age of 86. Irvin, whose career stretched across television, documentaries and Hollywood action films, died “peacefully” on August 11, surrounded by his family.
His producer Claire Evans confirmed his death to The Guardian.
What Was John Irvin Best Known For?
Irvin’s most celebrated work was the BBC adaptation of John le Carré’s Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. The miniseries starred Alec Guinness as George Smiley, the quiet but highly skilled British intelligence officer at the centre of the story.
The series became one of the defining television works of Irvin’s career. It received six BAFTA nominations and won two BAFTAs while also earning an Emmy nomination for outstanding limited series.
Guinness, who worked closely with Irvin on the production, once expressed his admiration for the filmmaker by describing him as “a director with balls behind the camera!”
How Did John Irvin Begin His Film Career?
Born in 1940 in Wallasey, Cheshire, Irvin studied at the London Film School before working at British Movietone News.
He made his first film in 1963 with the documentary Gala Day. He followed it with the documentary short Inheritance, narrated by Richard Burton. The film won Irvin his first BAFTA.
Irvin later documented the war in North Yemen, an experience that also led to interest from British intelligence agency MI6. But he said he was never formally recruited.
Discussing the matter in a 2021 interview, Irvin said, “I was far too left wing, for a start, but was anti-apartheid, anti-war, anti-nuclear. They were probably well aware of my leftwing activities, so I was certainly not involved in any hanky-panky.”
Which Famous Films Did John Irvin Direct?
After establishing himself in British television, Irvin moved into feature films and worked across several genres.
His Hollywood filmography included The Dogs of War in 1980 which starred Christopher Walken and Tom Berenger, followed by Ghost Story with Fred Astaire. He later directed Champions, Turtle Diary, Raw Deal, Hamburger Hill and Next of Kin.
His 1986 action film Raw Deal starred Arnold Schwarzenegger while Hamburger Hill, released in 1987, featured Don Cheadle and Dylan McDermott. The following year, Irvin directed Next of Kin, which starred Patrick Swayze and Liam Neeson.
His work during this period showed the range of his filmmaking, moving from espionage and drama to war films, horror and action.
What Was John Irvin’s Robin Hood Film About?
In 1991, Irvin directed Robin Hood that starred Patrick Bergin and Uma Thurman, who was only 20 at the time.
The film was deliberately positioned as a rival to Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Irvin’s version reached theatres two months before Costner’s film, but Prince of Thieves went on to become a major box office success.
What Were John Irvin’s Later Films?
During the 2000s, Irvin increasingly focused on independent cinema. His later work included Shiner, starring Michael Caine, The Moon And The Stars, featuring Alfred Molina and Jonathan Pryce, and The Garden Of Eden, which starred Jack Huston, Mena Suvari and Richard E Grant.
His final film was Mandela’s Gun released in 2016. The biographical film explored Nelson Mandela’s time as a guerrilla fighter for the African National Congress.
Irvin was still working on a new cut of Mandela’s Gun at the time of his death.
John Irvin Cause Of Death
John Irvin’s exact cause of death has not been disclosed. His producer Claire Evans confirmed that he died “peacefully at home” on August 11, surrounded by his family.
John Irvin Wife
John Irvin was married to Sophie Litchfield, and the couple stayed together for more than two decades. Sophie died from cancer in 1991. Irvin did not remarry after her death.
John Irvin Children?
John Irvin is survived by his three children, Emilie, Luke and Amy. He also leaves behind two grandchildren.
