Iconic cinematographer Roger Pratt has died at age 77.
The British star, who was nominated for an Oscar in 1999, died in December and his death was confirmed by the British Society of Cinematographers this week.
His cause and date of death have not been revealed at this time.
Pratt’s impressive body of work includes Batman (1989), Frankenstein (1994), Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), Troy (2004), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), Inkheart (2008) and The Karate. Child (2010).
His stellar work was honored with a Best Cinematography nomination at the Oscars for The End of the Affair, starring Ralph Fiennes and Julianne Moore.
He also earned BAFTA nominations in 1999 and 2000 for The End of the Affair and Chocolat, starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp.
Iconic cinematographer Roger Pratt has died aged 77 – pictured in 2004
Pratt’s impressive body of work includes Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002 – pictured)
He frequently collaborated with Monty Python legend Terry Gilliam, and the two first met on the set of 1975’s Monty Python and the Holy Grail, when Pratt was working as a clapper bearer.
Gilliam recalled his meeting with Pratt: “We were filming the Bridge of Death sequence and needed a dramatic shot looking up at the bridge with the mountains in the distance. I placed the camera on the edge of the cliff, but the lens wasn’t wide enough. We were very far from the road, the light was going out.
“This guy said, ‘Just give me a moment,’ and within a few minutes, while we were still joking, he had run down the mountain, forded the river, ran the other way, crashed into the camera truck, grabbed the right lens and here It was. We stuck it to the camera and took the photo. That was the moment I fell in love with Roger.
The BSC tribute read: ‘Son of a parochial vicar, the church did not capture his professional aspirations, but 16mm films on ‘facts and faith’ did.
‘Roger would go on to photograph some of Gilliam’s cult classics, from Brazil (1985) to The Fisher King (1991) and 12 Monkeys (1995).
“Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
The son of a vicar, Pratt grew up in the Midlands and attended Loughborough Grammar School.
His first contact with cinema came while watching religious films in church, and the “hypnotized” star said: “A box full of film reels, projectors, screens, speakers.” The lights go out, the mechanics hum… then real people talking, moving, laughing and dying (I mention dying because they were talking about Christ and his crucifixion).
The British star, who was nominated for an Oscar in 1999, died in December, and his death was confirmed by the British Society of Cinematographers this week (pictured in 1995).
Pratt is pictured with director Mike Leigh on the set of 1988’s High Hopes.
Pratt worked with Tim Burton in developing the look of 1989’s Batman, starring Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson.
His stellar work was honored with a Best Cinematography nomination at the Oscars for The End of the Affair, starring Ralph Fiennes and Julianne Moore.
He also earned BAFTA nominations in 1999 and 2000 for The End of the Affair and Chocolat, starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp.
He studied at Durham University in 1966 and graduated from the General Arts program in 1969, before enrolling at the London Film School.
He worked frequently with director Lord Richard Attenborough, bringing his expertise to Shadowlands (1993), In Love and War (1996) and Gray Owl (1999).
In 2023, Pratt received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the BSC.
In a speech to mark his award, Billy Williams OBE BSC said: ‘I am delighted that Roger Pratt will be honored with the BSC Lifetime Achievement Award this year. By focusing on drama and story, (he) has created the visuals for a variety of memorable films. I send you my congratulations and my warmest wishes.’
Kenneth Branagh, who starred in Pratt’s Frankenstein in 1994, said: “One of the few 100% authenticated geniuses from head to toe in his field that I have ever met.” I couldn’t have done it without you. Love and admiration.’
Julianne Moore wrote: ‘I just wanted to tell you how wonderful your work on End of the Affair is. The lighting has so much texture and emotion and honestly, I’ve never looked better in my life!… I wish I could make all my movies with you!’
After working with Robin Williams on The Fisher King in 1994, the actor wrote in a book to Pratt: “Roger, if you have the smoke, I have the lines.” Thanks again, you’re amazing.’