entertainment
John Irvin, British film-maker who directed Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, dies aged 86
The director’s BBC hit opened the door to Hollywood action films including Hamburger Hill, The Dogs of War and Raw Deal
TL;DR
- John Irvin, a British film director known for 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,' 'Hamburger Hill,' 'The Dogs of War,' and 'Raw Deal,' died at 86.
- His career spanned 50 years, encompassing TV, documentaries, and action films, and he worked with a diverse range of actors.
- Irvin began his career with documentaries, earning a Bafta for his short film 'Inheritance,' and later directed for the BBC and ITV, including Anthony Hopkins' first TV role.
- The success of 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' led to Hollywood opportunities, where he directed films like 'The Dogs of War,' 'Ghost Story,' and 'Hamburger Hill.'
- He also directed 'Robin Hood' (1991) as a rival to the Kevin Costner version and later focused on independent cinema, with his final film being 'Mandela's Gun' (2016).