J. Lee Thompson

Director & actor · born 1 August 1914 · Bristol, England, UK

John Lee Thompson (1 August 1914 – 30 August 2002) was an English film director, screenwriter, producer and playwright. Initially an exponent of social realism, he became known as a versatile and prolific director of thrillers, action, and adventure films.

His works included mainstream critical and commercial successes like Woman in a Dressing Gown (1957), Ice Cold in Alex (1958), Tiger Bay (1959), North West Frontier (also 1959), The Guns of Navarone (1961), the original Cape Fear (1962), and Mackenna's Gold (1969). He also directed cult classics like the Planet of the Apes sequels, The White Buffalo (1977), Happy Birthday to Me (1981), King Solomon's Mines (1985) and several Charles Bronson vehicles for Cannon Films in the 1980s.

Where to start: Cape Fear (1962).