In Memoriam of cinematographer Arthur Wooster (1929-2020)

By: Anders Frejdh

Published:
2020-09-01

FSWL mourns the passing of British cinematographer Arthur Wooster at the age of 91. Wooster worked on eight James Bond films from 1981’s For Your Eyes Only until 2002’s Die Another Day. He also worked with Bond trailblazer, Sean Connery, on three films – Highlander II: The Quickening, Five Days One Summer and First Knight. We had the privilege of meeting Arthur a few times over the years - a very kind, likeable and polite gentleman who will be greatly missed.

Five-time James Bond director John Glen on Arthur Wooster:

“I first met Arthur when editing a documentary for Film Partnership in the 50s. It was a film called Eyes of a Child, beautifully photographed by Arthur. When I got the job for directing For Your Eyes Only Arthur immediately sprang to mind as my choice for 2nd unit director/photographer. He was very self reliant and very understated. Cubby Broccoli took a little persuading, Arthur developed a nervous stutter on his initial interview and tripped over the carpet on his way in to Cubby's office ... not a good start. He did wonderful work for me and before long Cubby was won over. He did all my Bond films in the 80s and particularly the underwater sequence in For Your Eyes Only, the San Francisco night chase with the fire trucks in A View to a Kill, but most importantly, the very dangerous truck sequence in my final Bond, Licence to Kill. Arthur went on to work on several other Bonds and also worked with me on Christopher Columbus - The Discovery.”

Cubby Broccoli, John and Marcus Richardson with Arthur Wooster on the set of A View to a Kill in 1985. Photo by Keith Hamshere Copyright © 1985 Danjaq S.A. & MGM/United Artists Pictures. All rights reserved.

Swedish actress Kristina Wayborn after hearing the news of Arthur's passing:

“So sorry to hear about Arthur's passing. All the best to his family and friends. A life well lived with many accomplishments; it is nonetheless sad to lose a member of our 'Bond family'. My condolences.”

Actor and FSWL supporter Robert Davi (Franz Sanchez in the 1989 James Bond film Licence to Kill) shared his thoughts about working with Arthur:

“Arthur was a Gem of a Fellow. A dear man with wonderful sense of humor. He and his crew had among the best natures and sense of fun while working - all led by Cubby Broccoli and John Glen. My condolences to Arthur's family and friends - in particular his wife Ann and their two children, Tim and David.”

Legendary stuntman and stunt coordinator Paul Weston passed on the following message about Arthur:

“Arthur was a gentleman with a great talent and courage. I have seen him laying on a plank looking through the camera, stuck out over a 1500 ft drop on Gibraltar. He was a Stunt Coordinator's dream; he would listen to all your suggestions and accommodate your needs for safety. We were a good team on 2nd unit. He gave a lot to the film industry and is sorely missed.”

About Arthur Wooster

Arthur retired in 2007 and has 'worked' once since then when he took part in an Channel 4 programme about The Queen in 3D in 2009, having pioneered the 3D process in 1953.

Wooster’s career began in the 1950s, working on a series of documentary shorts that took him around the globe. He soon began forging a career in narrative film working on over 80 titles in a storied career as a cinematographer, camera operator or second unit director. He even directed six documentary shorts.

His CV boasts a wide array of commercial film titles like Downhill Racer, The Avengers, Ravenous, Shakespeare in Love, From Hell and many others.

His photographic skill wasn’t limited to dry land, Wooster also served as underwater photographer on films like Bear Island and The Count of Monte Cristo. He even scaled mountains with Sean Connery as Second Unit Mountain Photographer in Five Days One Summer.

There wasn’t any environment the gentle and much-respected Arthur Wooster couldn’t work in!

Arthur Wooster was truly a kind man and will be missed by the entire Bond community. FSWL extends our deepest condolences to his wife and children.

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#in_memoriam

#james_bond_directors

#john_glen

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In Memoriam of cinematographer Arthur Wooster (1929-2020)

About Arthur Wooster

There wasn’t any environment the gentle and much-respected Arthur Wooster couldn’t work in!

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