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Lord Attenborough Showcase

Explore the life and work of Academy President Richard Attenborough, whose support and inspiration for our work over the past 50 years remains undiminished.

Richard Attenborough waits backstage with the coveted BAFTA Masks at the Television Craft Awards. BAFTA Archive

From his first film appearance as a young actor in 1942’s In Which We Serve, to an epic array of outstanding achievements as a director and producer across many more decades, Richard Attenborough occupies a special place in the history of British cinema.

Lord Attenborough has also played an integral part in countless Academy occasions and key moments in our prestigious history: from the international scope and very British style of our early Awards ceremonies, to the opening of our 195 Piccadilly headquarters in 1976 and, more recently, the presentation of a Film Fellowship to co-collaborator and friend Sir Anthony Hopkins. Behind the scenes, his contribution to the financial stability and effective leadership of the Academy has been invaluable.

When something important is happening, Lord A, as he is affectionately called by BAFTA staff, is part of it. As Amanda Berry, the Academy’s Chief Executive, said on the occasion of his 80th birthday, he is: “A wonderful man, a talented actor, producer and director, an inspiration to all who meet him, an icon of the British Film Industry and passionate about BAFTA. We are extremely honoured that he is also our President.”

  • Lord Attenborough Biography

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Sir David Lean at the British Gala Dinner held in his honour, 20 May 1988, Cannes. BAFTA Archive Sir David Lean Showcase

Features

Producer/Director Richard Attenborough and Actor Ben Kingsley on the set of Gandhi (1982) © Frank Connor Lord Attenborough Filmography

From The Angry Silence and Guns of Batasi to Gandhi and Cry Freedom, Richard Attenborough has excelled as an actor, director and producer in a superlative career.

Director/Producer Richard Attenborough on stage at Reunions: Gandhi, 25 years on, with the film's writer John Briley and editor John Bloom. Marc Hoberman / BAFTA Gandhi: 25 Years On

Twenty five years after its release, the Academy celebrates Lord Attenborough's award-winning film depicting the extraordinary life of political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi.

Lord Attenborough's SFTA Application Form. BAFTA Archive Attenborough Applies

From 1959/60, we republish Lord Attenborough’s original application forms to become a member of the Academy.

Minutes from the British Film Academy's First Meeting. BAFTA Archive The Academy's First Meeting

From the Academy Archive, an extraordinary record of the historic first meeting of the British Film Academy, held 19 November 1947.

Lord Attenborough at the Academy's 80th Birthday Tribute event in October 2003. BAFTA Archive Attenborough at Eighty

Writer Quentin Falk profiles Academy President Lord Attenborough on the occasion of his eightieth birthday.

Watch Archive Clips

Richard Attenborough Archive Gallery

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Attenborough on Lean

From one British cinema legend to another: Lord Attenborough pays tribute to Sir David Lean.

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More Features

  • Attenborough Applies
  • Lord Attenborough Filmography
  • Attenborough at Eighty
  • Lord Attenborough Biography
  • Archive Gallery: Gandhi, 25 years on
  • Happy Birthday BAFTA

More from the Archive...

  • Lean's Letter to the Academy
  • The Making of Lawrence of Arabia
  • Official Opening of the David Lean Room
  • Lord Puttnam on David Lean
  • Resting on Firm Foundations
  • Bafta Homepage
  • Archive
  • Richard Attenborough
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