Taylor had taken upon different fields of film, initially starting as a clapper boy, then working his way up to a camera operator where he spent most of his time in the field. In 1975, Taylor worked with director Ken Russel on Tommy (1975). Russel and film set Photographer Dick Bush got into a disagreement, leading to Dick leaving the project.[1] Taylor took up the mantle and expanded his skill set into lighting and electrical work. This decision would lead to an expansion into television series production and commercial creation. While his catalogue of television production is less extensive than his filmography, he worked on TV series such as The Avengers (1965), Master of the Game (1984), and Jewels (1992).[1][2]
After some time, he decided to transition into the Director of Photography and is most known for his work on the completion of Gandhi (1982) as the new director of Photography after the original, Billy Williams, had a medical emergency. Afterward, Taylor would continue working on films and commercials. It was through a chance meeting during the production of commercials that he came to become acquainted with Italian director Dario Argento. The two would pair up again and form a partnership. Taylor worked on three films with Argento: Phantom of the Opera (1998), and Sleepless (2001). Sleepless is marked as the final film in Taylor's filmography and decided to officially retire in 2001, at the age of 77. He bought a property in Ibiza, Spain where he spent the rest of his life. Taylor continued his passion for film past his retirement, frequently participating in the Ibiza International Film Festival and was awarded the Ibiza IFF's achievement award.[3]
He is featured in the book Conversations with Cinematographers by David A Ellis, published by Scarecrow Press.
Taylor's most notable accomplishment as a cinematographer was his work for Gandhi. During the production of Gandhi, the Director of Photography, Billy Williams BSC, had an incident, slipping his discs. Due to Taylor's relationship with Richard Attenborough from his time at Pinewood, Attenborough reached out to Taylor, asking him to help with the cinematography of Gandhi, taking over as the new Director of photography and continuing with this film.[1] For his role in its production, Taylor won and shares an Oscar with the former director of photography, Williams. The pair also won the best cinematographer for the Academy Awards, British Academy Film Awards, and the British Society of Cinematographers.[4]
In 1987, Taylor was again nominated the best cinematography at the British Academy Film Awards for his work on Cry Freedom (1987), also directed by Richard Attenborough, but did not win.
Personal life
Taylor was born on 27 October 1924 in Hampstead, London. At the age of 18 and in search of a job, Taylor pursued a radio operator certificate to find work with the Merchant Navy. However, a family neighbour, Jack Swinburne, offered to give Taylor a tour of Gainsborough Pictures Studio at Lime Grove in Shepherd Bush. After seeing how films were made, he quickly fell in love with the line of work and wanted to partake in the creation of films. Taylor's first film was as a clapper boy in The Young Mr. Pitt (1942), that same year he entered the Merchant Navy. in service for the Second World War. After returning home, he continued working in the film industry. The following year, he pulled focus during the filming of the man in Grey (1943), solidifying the start of his career in the industry.[1]
Taylor would then primarily shift to free-lance work. At times, he would work and would be contracted with studios like Pinewood Studios, Ealing Studio, and the Vera Cruz company. In his interview with David A. Ellis for his book Conversations with Cinematographers, Pinewood was mentioned as a personal favourite he had worked with and also where he would build a name for himself among his peers as a noteworthy operator.
In 1952, He would meet his future wife, Mary Devetta during the production of Secret People (1952) at Ealing Studios, West London. The two would move over to Brazil due to a two-year contract Taylor had signed with the Vera Cruz and stayed an additional two more years before the company closed.[1]
Taylor moved back to Britain worked on projects and cemented a relationship with fellow cinematographer Freddie Francis. While not credited, he worked alongside the former on films such as Virgin Island (1958), Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960), and The Innocents (1961). Taylor would continue working on films and commercials as a freelancer operating on films. In 2001, at the age of 77, Taylor announced his retirement. He bought a property with a swimming pool in Ibiza, Spain, where he spent the rest of his life. Taylor continued his passion for film past his retirement, frequently participating in the Ibiza International Film Festival and was awarded the Ibiza IFF's achievement award.[3]
In 2018, Taylor suffered a stroke and during his battle for recovery, his health deteriorated, eventually leading to subsequent health problems. Taylor died on 3 August 2018. He is survived by his two daughters, Tracey Taylor and Nikki Watson as well as two grandchildren.
