John Ford

JOHN FORD d1973. American film director and naval officer. He is renowned both for Westerns including ; Stagecoach (1939) / The Searchers (1956) and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) and adaptations of classic 20th century American novels such as ; The Grapes of Wrath (1940). He was the recipient of six Academy Awards including a record four wins for Best Director. In a career of more than 50 years, he directed more than 140 films (although most of his silents are lost) and he is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers of his generation. He was held in high regard by his colleagues with Orson Welles and Ingmar Bergman amongst those who named him one of the greatest directors of all time. He died in California aged 79 on August 31st 1973