J Lee Thompson

Born: 1914
Where: Bristol

English-born Thompson directed more than 50 films throughout his career, including the original Cape Fear and Planet Of The Apes.

During World War II Thompson was a bantamweight boxer and a B-29 tail-gunner.

His film break came when he was offered the job as an editing assistant in Elstree Studios on London. He then worked as a dialogue coach with actors on Alfred Hitchcock films.

His first film was Murder Without Crime in 1950. He went on to work with huge stars such as Gregory Peck in Cape Fear, Anthony Quinn in The Greek Tycoon and Yul Brenner in Taras Bulba and Kings of The Sun.

He died of a heart attack in September 2002 at the age of 88, from a heart attack.

Co-producer Pancho Kohner said of Thompson: "Everyone who worked with him once wanted to work with him again and again and again.

"He had the uncanny ability to play the film in his mind. He would know exactly what shot he needed so there was no wasted effort. He was a talented craftsman."