David Watkin - Actor Profile

David Watkin

Camera
Freshness: Jan 20, 2026
3Total Films
6.5 Highest Rated
Born: Mar 23, 1925
Birth Place: Margate, Kent, England, UK

About David Watkin

David Watkin BSC (23 March 1925 – 19 February 2008) was an English cinematographer, an innovator who was among the first directors of photography to experiment heavily with the usage of bounce light as a soft light source. He worked with such film directors as Richard Lester, Peter Brook, Tony Richardson, Mike Nichols, Ken Russell, Franco Zeffirelli, Sidney Lumet and Sydney Pollack. In 1985, Watkin won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for his work on Out of Africa. He received lifetime achievement awards in 2004 from the British Society of Cinematographers and the cinematographic-centric Camerimage Film Festival in Łódź, Poland. In Chariots of Fire, he "helped create one of the most memorable images of 1980s cinema: the opening sequence in which a huddle of young male athletes pounds along the water's edge on a beach" to the film's theme music by Vangelis. Description above from the Wikipedia article David Watkin (cinematographer), licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of David Watkin reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 3 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Documentary

The majority of David Watkin's filmography leans towards the Documentary genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 33% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), David Watkin remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Beatles: Help!, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best David Watkin Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from David Watkin's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of David Watkin.

David Watkin - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of David Watkin?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring David Watkin is "The Beatles: Help!" with a rating of 6.5/10.

How many movies has David Watkin acted in?

David Watkin has been featured in at least 3 major films throughout their career.