Richard Attenborough (29 August 1923 – 24 August 2014)

A giant of World arts died yesterday. Richard Attenborough, actor, director, football fan, political activist and entrepreneur died after suffering a range of illnesses which finally  led to his death,

Richard Attenborough either as an actor, director or producer, featured in some of 20th Century iconic films including In Which We Serve, Brighton Rock, I’m All Right Jack, Whistle Down the Wind, The Great Escape, Oh! What a Lovely War, 10 Rillington Place, Gandhi, Cry Freedom and Jurassic Park.

He was also responsible for helping to save Chelsea Football Club in the 1980’s when people tried to convert it into a very posh  housing estate. His activism didn’t stay there he was involved in everything from Amnesty International to UNICEF, from Oxford University to Greater London Fund for the Blind. Clearly his presence meant a lot and his challenge to make a better world was all consuming.

As a businessman he not only produced film and saved a football club, he was also an original investor/Chairman of Capital Radio and Channel 4 television station. To do justice to the things that Richard Attenborough did would take a very long blog. However in the need to illustrate some of his genius here are some clips of his works.

Brighton Rock (1947)

Whistle Down The Wind

Oh! What a Lovely War

Cry Freedom [1987]