James Clavell
Biography
James Clavell, born Charles Edmund Dumaresq Clavell on 10 October 1924 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, was a male writer whose career encompassed novel writing, screenwriting and directing. A World War II veteran and former prisoner of war, he later became a naturalized American citizen. Clavell is best known for his epic Asian Saga series of novels and the television adaptations of those works. He also contributed to well‑known films such as The Great Escape and To Sir, with Love. The Movie Database lists him with 23 known writing credits. He died on 7 September 1994 at the age of 69. He was also known as “C”.
Career overview
James Clavell, born Charles Edmund Dumaresq Clavell on 10 October 1924 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, was a male writer who later became a naturalized American citizen. He served as a World War II veteran and was held as a prisoner of war before pursuing a career in the creative arts. Clavell worked as a novelist, screenwriter and director, building a body of work that earned him recognition for his contributions to both literature and film. His professional profile lists twenty‑three known writing credits.
Clavell is best known for the epic Asian Saga series of novels and the television adaptations that followed those books. In addition to his literary achievements, his writing credits include involvement in notable films such as The Great Escape and To Sir, with Love. The TMDB entry also records an alternate name, “C,” under which he may have been credited. He died on 7 September 1994 at the age of sixty‑nine.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about James Clavell.
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Shōgun (2024) Novel
- The Making of Shōgun (2003)
- Noble House (1988) Novel
- Tai-Pan (1986) Novel
- The Children's Story (1982) Director
- The Children's Story (1982) Novel
- Shōgun (1980) Executive Producer
- Shōgun (1980) Novel
- Shōgun (1980) Creator
- Shogun (1980) Novel
- The Last Valley (1971) Director
- The Last Valley (1971) Writer
- The Last Valley (1971) Producer
- Where's Jack? (1969) Director
- To Sir, with Love (1967) Director
- To Sir, with Love (1967) Producer
- To Sir, with Love (1967) Writer
- The Sweet and the Bitter (1967) Director
- The Sweet and the Bitter (1967) Writer
- The Satan Bug (1965) Screenplay
- King Rat (1965) Novel
- 633 Squadron (1964) Screenplay
- World in Action (1963)
- The Great Escape (1963) Screenplay
- The Great Escape (1963) Producer
- Ripcord (1961) Director
- Walk Like a Dragon (1960) Director
- Walk Like a Dragon (1960) Writer
- Walk Like a Dragon (1960) Producer
- The Detectives (1959) Director
- Watusi (1959) Writer
- Five Gates to Hell (1959) Director
- Five Gates to Hell (1959) Screenplay
- Five Gates to Hell (1959) Producer
- The Rifleman (1958) Director
- The Fly (1958) Screenplay