Philip Saville

Early Life & Education

• Saville was born to Louis Saffer, a travelling salesman in the clothing trade, and Sadie Kathleen (“Kay”) Saffer (née Tanenberg), who worked in Fortnum & Mason. Wikipedia+2The Guardian+2

• He studied science at the University of London. Forgotten Television Drama+2The Guardian+2

• Also trained at RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art). Forgotten Television Drama+2The Guardian+2

• Did national service with the Royal Corps of Signals; his service was cut short by a serious knee injury involving an armoured vehicle. Wikipedia+1

Career Highlights

Saville’s career spanned over 50 years and crossed mediums (stage, TV, film). Key points:

1. Acting & Early Work

   • He acted in films from around 1948, while still young, including small parts. Forgotten Television Drama+1

   • Early involvement with theatre and acting informed much of his later directing work. Forgotten Television Drama+1

2. Television Directing & Innovation

   • In the 1950s, he directed Curtains for Harry (1955), which he co-wrote with his then-wife Jane Arden and Richard Lester. Forgotten Television Drama+2The Guardian+2

   • He directed many episodes of Armchair Theatre (1956-1972), about 45 plays, which helped establish his reputation. Wikipedia+2Forgotten Television Drama+2

   • Some early ground-breaking works:

     • A Night Out (1960), by Harold Pinter, for Armchair Theatre Wikipedia+2The Guardian+2

     • The Madhouse on Castle Street (1963) for the BBC — noted for psychological focus and bringing Bob Dylan over to act/sing. The Guardian+2Forgotten Television Drama+2

     • Hamlet at Elsinore (1964) — significant for being recorded entirely on location at Kronborg Castle, Denmark. The Guardian+2Wikipedia+2

   • He was also known for technical innovation: experimenting with camera work (instability, mirrors, unusual angles), using new video technologies, mixing location shooting with video, etc. The Guardian+2Forgotten Television Drama+2

3. Major Productions & BAFTA Awards

   • Boys from the Blackstuff (1982) — one of his most acclaimed series; won a BAFTA for Best Drama Serial. The series portrayed the impact of unemployment in Liverpool, very socially aware and gritty. Wikipedia+1

   • The Life and Loves of a She-Devil (1986) — also won the BAFTA for Best Drama Series. bafta.org+2Wikipedia+2

   • Other notable works: The Buccaneers (1995), My Uncle Silas, The Gospel of John (2003) among others. Forgotten Television Drama+1

4. Feature Films

   • He directed several feature films:

     • Stop the World, I Want to Get Off (1966) Wikipedia+2Telegraph+2

     • Oedipus the King (1967) with Christopher Plummer and Orson Welles. The Guardian+2Wikipedia+2

     • The Best House in London (1969) Forgotten Television Drama+1

     • The Fruit Machine (1988) Forgotten Television Drama+1

     • Metroland (1997) Forgotten Television Drama+1

Style, Themes & Impact

• Saville was renowned for pioneering visual style in television: bringing more dynamic, cinematic approaches into TV drama, using location, complex camera movements, video experimentation. The Guardian+2Forgotten Television Drama+2

• He often chose material that was socially and psychologically intense: exploring marginalized voices; dealing with class, unemployment, identity, social realism. Boys from the Blackstuff is a prime example. The Guardian+1

• Willingness to experiment: he embraced technical risk, new recording methods, location video, etc. Forgotten Television Drama+1

Personal Life

• Saville was married to Jane Arden from 1947; they collaborated early in his career. Forgotten Television Drama+1

• Later had relationships including with Pauline Boty, and with Diana Rigg in the 1960s. Wikipedia+1

• In 1987 he married Nina Francis (née Zuckerman). Forgotten Television Drama+2IMDb+2

• Children: he had four children. Wikipedia+1

Later Years & Legacy

• Even into the 2000s he was still directing; worked on The Gospel of John (2003), My Uncle Silas, etc. Forgotten Television Drama+1

• Also made Pinter’s Progress (2009), a documentary about Harold Pinter. Forgotten Television Drama+1

• Received an honorary degree (Royal Holloway, University of London) in December 2016 for his contribution to British television drama. Forgotten Television Drama

• Critics often regard him as one of Britain’s most inventive and influential TV directors of the second half of the 20th century. Wikipedia+1