Sir Ridley Scott (born November 30, 1937) in South Shields is a British film director and producer. Having initially studied at the West Hartlepool College of Art, Scott progressed to a photography course at London's Royal College of Art, helping to establish its film department in the 1960s. After graduation he secured a traineeship with the BBC leading him to work on the popular television series Z Cars.

Along with Alan Parker, Hugh Hudson and his younger brother Tony Scott, he established an advertising company. Having cut his teeth on UK television commercials in the 1970s — most notably the 1974 Hovis advert "Bike Round" (New World Symphony) filmed in Shaftesbury — he graduated to Hollywood, where he produced and directed a number of top boxoffice films.

His striking visual style, incorporating a detailed approach to production design and innovative, atmospheric lighting, has been tremendously influential on an entire subsequent generation of filmmakers — many of whom have simply imitated him outright.

Scott is notable for his versatility. He rarely makes two films in the same genre, and many of his films are popularly rated as some of the best examples of their genres.

In 2004, while on location in Morocco during the filming of Kingdom of Heaven, a movie about the Crusades, Scott reported receiving death threats from Islamist extremists. It was reported that the Moroccan government sent hundreds of soldiers to protect the set and crew. However, the Moroccan cavalry were actually on hand as extras in the epic battle-scenes.

Scott has been nominated for three Academy Awards for Directing. He was knighted in the 2003 New Year Honours.

Filmography

• Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
• Matchstick Men (2003)
• Black Hawk Down (2001)
• Hannibal (2001)
• Gladiator (2000)
• G.I. Jane (1997)
• White Squall (1996)
• 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992)
• Thelma & Louise (1991)
• Black Rain (1989)
• Someone to Watch Over Me (1987)
• Legend (1985)
• Blade Runner (1982)
• Alien (1979)
• The Duellists (1977)

External links