Peter Yates
Biography
Peter James Yates (24 July 1929 – 9 January 2011) was an English film director and producer born in Aldershot, Hampshire. The son of an army officer, he attended Charterhouse School and graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, after which he worked as an actor, director and stage manager. In the 1950s he entered the film industry as a dubbing assistant and later as an assistant director for Tony Richardson. Yates made his directorial debut with the 1963 musical Summer Holiday, a vehicle for Cliff Richard. He also directed the original Royal Court staging of N. F. Simpson’s play One Way Pendulum and its 1964 film adaptation, as well as the film Robbery.
Career overview
Peter James Yates was born on 24 July 1929 in Aldershot, Hampshire, and died on 9 January 2011. The son of an army officer, he was educated at Charterhouse School and later graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. After completing his training he spent several years working as an actor, director and stage manager in the theatre. In the 1950s Yates entered the film industry, initially as a dubbing assistant before becoming an assistant director to Tony Richardson, gaining experience behind the camera that would lead to his own directing career.
Yates made his directorial debut with the 1963 musical Summer Holiday, a light‑hearted vehicle for pop star Cliff Richard. The success of that film led to his selection to adapt the Royal Court production of N. F. Simpson’s play One Way Pendulum, which he directed for the screen and released in 1964. He continued to work as a film director, including the feature Robbery. Throughout his career Yates was recognised primarily for his work behind the camera, directing a range of projects that spanned comedy, drama and action, and he remained active in the industry for several decades, contributing to the development of British cinema.
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Career timeline
Full filmography
- Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff (2010) as Self – Interviewee
- Movie Connections (2007) as Self
- Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool (2005) as Self
- A Separate Peace (2004) Director
- Don Quixote (2000) Director
- Curtain Call (1998) Director
- 'Bullitt': Steve McQueen's Commitment to Reality (1998) as Self
- Good Will Hunting (1997) Thanks
- Roommates (1995) Director
- The Run of the Country (1995) Director
- The Run of the Country (1995) Producer
- Needful Things (1993) Executive Producer
- Year of the Comet (1992) Director
- Year of the Comet (1992) Producer
- An Innocent Man (1989) Director
- The House on Carroll Street (1988) Director
- The House on Carroll Street (1988) Producer
- Suspect (1987) Director
- Eleni (1985) Director
- Krull (1983) Director
- The Dresser (1983) Director
- The Dresser (1983) Producer
- Journey to Krull (1983) as Self
- Eyewitness (1981) Director
- Eyewitness (1981) Producer
- Breaking Away (1979) Director
- Breaking Away (1979) Producer
- The Deep (1977) Director
- Mother, Jugs & Speed (1976) Director
- Mother, Jugs & Speed (1976) Producer
- For Pete's Sake (1974) Director
- The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973) Director
- Midi trente (1972) as Self
- The Hot Rock (1972) Director
- Film '72 (1971) as Self
- Murphy's War (1971) Director
- John and Mary (1969) Director
- Bullitt (1968) Director
- Stasera Fernandel (1968) Creator
- Koroshi (1968) Director
- Robbery (1967) Screenplay
- Robbery (1967) Director
- One Way Pendulum (1965) Director
- Summer Holiday (1963) Director
- The Saint (1962) Director
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- The Guns of Navarone (1961) Assistant Director
- A Taste of Honey (1961) Assistant Director
- Danger Man (1960) Director
- The Entertainer (1960) Assistant Director
- Cover Girl Killer (1959) Assistant Director