Film industry champion Sir Sydney Samuelson CBE BSC dies aged 97

Sir Sydney Samuelson CBE BSC, a major player in the development of the UK’s film industry, has passed away at the age of 97.

Born in London in 1925, Samuelson enjoyed a long and rich history in the industry that kicked off in 1939, working in a cinema projection booth. After serving in the RAF in WWII, he went into camerawork and was part of the Rayant Pictures team who shot Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953.

A year later, he set up and developed Samuelson Film Service with his brothers David, Tony and Michael. It later became the largest film equipment servicing company in the world and specialised in Arriflex cameras.

Samuelson’s many achievements include becoming the first British Film Commissioner in 1991. He was accepted into membership of the British Society of Cinematographers in 1965 and appointed to the society’s Board of Governors in 1969. In 1967, he received the BSC Golden Camera Award in recognition of his work.

Samuelson was chosen as Chairman of the Management Board of BAFTA in 1976 and was influential. BAFTA recognised his outstanding British contribution to cinema with the Michael Balcon Award in 1986 and then presented him with the Fellowship in 1993, its highest accolade.

“We are deeply saddened by the news that Sir Sydney Samuelson – former BAFTA Chair, BAFTA Fellow and recipient of the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award – has passed away,” said BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip. “For more than 55 years, Sir Sydney Samuelson made a significant contribution to BAFTA, working tirelessly to serve its charitable aims, supporting film and television makers and promoting the British film production sector.  He has been an inspiration to many and a great friend and mentor to members and staff alike.”

Mike Fox, GBCT, HonMem also paid tribute: “Historically, as most of those concerned with producing or shooting films at home and abroad since the early Sixties, Sir Sydney Samuelson’s baby Samuelson Film Service stamped its name all over Britain and the filmmaking world. And fully-grown, it exceeded even the promise of the company’s name. First and foremost, when seeking to rent camera gear, Sydney would answer the telephone himself, and talk one through it. Not only that, his first camera ‘packages’ were unheardofly complete: a brandnew Arri camera with a full case of Cooke prime lenses, but in passing, storage film-cans, raw-stock, a changing-bag, clapper boards (with chalk), a Kelly calculator, extended tape-measure, camera-tape, high-and-low tubular tripods – et al! Not only that: when SFS became so busy that its premises grew rapidly, as did its fully-trained team of staffers. Without exception, the latter were fully knowledgeable and would advise and consent just about everything from lenses, filters, high-hats, dollies – well, you know the rest. SFS supplied the very best of up-to-date equipment in the world, eventually securing the UK and European franchise of the legendary Panavision camera system. Later, came the world’s best dollies and camera-cranes, lighting, ‘mini-mookes’, and nothing was too much trouble for their expansive range of services – shipping daily rushes and equipment, helicopters, video-assist. An example: shooting in Uganda in 1966, our American ABC TV producers had pulled off almost a miracle: an interview with the new self-imposed rebel president, Milton Obote – but only at 10.30 a.m. on the following day, and that for only half an hour. Naturally, the evening before, I checked  our seldom used noise-free camera, a 16mm Éclair – but it refused to run, no matter how much I wrestled with it.

“Aware of the urgency of the Obote shoot, I rushed to the nearest telephone to call Sammy’s in London. No help: a three-hour wait for a line to London. I found a handy telegraph facility, and typed a short note to Michael Samuelson at SFS with details of our Obote/camera problem. I stated that a BOAC 6pm flight was leaving LHR to arrive at Entebbe airport at 8.15 local time the next morning, and that we were in desperate need of a replacement Éclair. I could do no more than hope and press the send button. Next morning, after the VC10 had flown off for Jo-berg, I arrived at the Entebbe freight section, asking the manager if there had been a parcel for ABC TV. No, there was nothing for me! I asked him if I could check the storage room. Amazingly, he said yes. I did, and there was a parcel addressed to me. In it was the replacement Éclair. Our Americans were hugely impressed that SFS meant what it said when it promised its ‘service’.

“The closest affection of the GBCT’s membership of the man, Sir Sydney Samuelson, CBE, was born of his total and dedicated support of the Guild, when it was formed in November 1977. Within days, Sydney had provided us with a fully equipped office right in the centre of SFS’s multi-floored Cricklewood operations centre, without charging us a penny – ever. Likewise, John and Benny, the legendary Lee Brothers of Lee Lighting, in their newly-owned Wembley Studios, provided us with a fully equipped room for GAS, the Guild’s Answering Service, directly serving our members work-diaries. Sir Sydney Samuelson – ‘Sydney, and the Lees’ – left us with our warmest memories of their heedless generosity and devoted care.”

Although he officially retired in 1997, Samuelson had remained an active supporter of the screen industries. Read more of his many industry achievements in our dedicated article.

British Cinematographer was deeply saddened to hear the news of Sir Sydney’s passing and our thoughts are with his family and friends.