Hugh Hudson, ‘Chariots of Fire’ Director, Dead At 86

LONDON, England — Hugh Hudson, the Oscar-winning Olympic drama “Chariots of Fire” director who later made such well-regarded films as “My Life So Far” and the Oscar-nominated “Greystoke,” has died at the age of 86.

Hudson’s family released a brief statement saying he died Friday at a London hospital “after a brief illness.”

Hudson, who grew up in London, started her career as a documentary editor and producer. She also worked in TV commercials. In the late 1970s, she got her start in feature films as a second-unit director on Alan Parker’s “Midnight Express.”

Hudson was asked to direct “Chariots of Fire” in 1981 by producer David Puttnam, which starred Ben Cross and Nigel Havers as British athletes from different religions and backgrounds at the 1924 Olympics.

Hudson Was A Family Man Who Warked Hard In His Long Career

“Chariots of Fire,” with its inspirational plot and sentimental theme music by Greek composer Vangelis, was a commercial success and won four Academy Awards, including best picture and score. Hudson, a director nominee, later collaborated on a stage adaptation of “Chariots” for the London Summer Olympics in 2012.

He had mixed results with future film projects. “Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes,” Ralph Richardson’s final film role, was a box office success and received three Oscar nominations. However, two years later, he was nominated for a Golden Raspberry for directing the critical and commercial flop “Revolution.” Other films in which he has appeared include “My Life So Far,” “Lost Angels,” and “Altamira.” He also co-wrote “Tiger’s Nest,” which will be released in 2022.

According to a family statement, Hudson is survived by his wife, Maryam, his son, Thomas, and his first wife, Sue.

SOURCE – (AP)