‘We thought Midnight Cowboy might end everybody’s career’: the diverse, disruptive, Oscar-winning cinema of John Schlesinger

February 13, 2026

TL;DR

John Schlesinger, a celebrated director, had a complex career marked by groundbreaking films and later commercial and artistic challenges.
His early work, including "A Kind of Loving," "Billy Liar," and "Darling," contributed to advancements in British cinema.
"Midnight Cowboy" was a landmark film, winning an Oscar for Best Director and Best Picture, and was the first X-rated film to achieve this, though it was controversial.
"Sunday Bloody Sunday" further explored LGBTQ+ themes with a more sophisticated approach, featuring a notable kiss between two male characters.
Schlesinger's later career included commercial hits like "Marathon Man" but also films that were commercial failures and critically panned, such as "Honky Tonk Freeway" and "The Next Best Thing."
He controversially directed a promotional film for the Conservative party, a decision attributed to contrarianism or financial need.
The director was known for his volatile temper and struggled with manic depression, particularly after major flops.
His partner, Michael Childers, hosts a program of his work to commemorate his birth centenary, while a UK season aims to revive interest in his films.
Schlesinger's legacy is debated due to his eclectic filmography and personal contradictions, but his pioneering representation of LGBTQ+ characters remains a significant aspect of his work.

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