Edward Mirzoeff
Encyclopedia
Edward Mirzoeff CVO
, CBE
(born 11 April 1936) is a prominent British
television producer and documentary
filmmaker.
) in Hendon. He studied Modern History at Queen's College, Oxford.
, Westminster School, the Royal Opera House
and the Ritz Hotel
.
He was given unprecedented access and attracted record-breaking audiences for his 1992 portrait of Queen Elizabeth II
, Elizabeth R, marking her 40th anniversary on the throne. For this he was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, in the personal gift of Her Majesty.
He also made a series of enduring films with the late Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman
(notably Metro-land
, 1973, and A Passion for Churches
, 1974), and directed many other leading presenters, including James Cameron, Ludovic Kennedy and Malcolm Muggeridge. Many of his films, such as "The Front Garden", "The Englishwoman and the Horse", and "The Queen's Realm: A Prospect of England", are poetic celebrations of Englishness. He has edited numerous series, from the innovative Bird's-Eye View (shot entirely from a helicopter) to the multi-award-winning 40 Minutes documentary strand. As an Executive Producer he worked on many other award-winning programmes and series, e.g. "Pandora's Box", "The Ark", "The House", and "Lie of the Land".
Television Award, British Video Award, an International Emmy, and the awards of the Broadcasting Press Guild and the Royal Philharmonic Society.
He was appointed CVO in 1993, and CBE
in 1997 for his contribution to Documentary.
He was Chairman of BAFTA (The British Academy of Film and Television Arts) 1995-1997, and Chairman of The Grierson Trust 2002-2006.
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
, CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 11 April 1936) is a prominent British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
television producer and documentary
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
filmmaker.
Early life
He went to Hasmonean Grammar School (now Hasmonean High SchoolHasmonean High School
HasmoHigh School is a voluntary aided, comprehensive school, for pupils aged 11 to 18 from Orthodox Jewish families, situated in the London Borough of Barnet.-Admissions:...
) in Hendon. He studied Modern History at Queen's College, Oxford.
Film work
His wide-ranging studies of British institutions for the BBC include the Royal Greenjackets Regiment, New Scotland Yard, the National TrustNational Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
, Westminster School, the Royal Opera House
Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply "Covent Garden", after a previous use of the site of the opera house's original construction in 1732. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The...
and the Ritz Hotel
Ritz Hotel
The Ritz London is a luxury 5-star hotel located in Piccadilly and overlooking Green Park in London.- History :Swiss hotelier César Ritz, former manager of the Savoy Hotel, opened the hotel on 24 May 1906...
.
He was given unprecedented access and attracted record-breaking audiences for his 1992 portrait of Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
, Elizabeth R, marking her 40th anniversary on the throne. For this he was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, in the personal gift of Her Majesty.
He also made a series of enduring films with the late Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman
John Betjeman
Sir John Betjeman, CBE was an English poet, writer and broadcaster who described himself in Who's Who as a "poet and hack".He was a founding member of the Victorian Society and a passionate defender of Victorian architecture...
(notably Metro-land
Metro-land
Metro-land is a name given to the suburban areas that were built to the north west of London in the counties of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Middlesex in the early part of the 20th century, and were served by the Metropolitan Railway, an independent company until absorbed by the London...
, 1973, and A Passion for Churches
A Passion for Churches
A Passion for Churches is a 1974 BBC television documentary written and presented by the then Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman and produced and directed by Edward Mirzoeff...
, 1974), and directed many other leading presenters, including James Cameron, Ludovic Kennedy and Malcolm Muggeridge. Many of his films, such as "The Front Garden", "The Englishwoman and the Horse", and "The Queen's Realm: A Prospect of England", are poetic celebrations of Englishness. He has edited numerous series, from the innovative Bird's-Eye View (shot entirely from a helicopter) to the multi-award-winning 40 Minutes documentary strand. As an Executive Producer he worked on many other award-winning programmes and series, e.g. "Pandora's Box", "The Ark", "The House", and "Lie of the Land".
Awards and honours
His many honours include four BAFTAs – among them the Alan Clarke Award for outstanding creative contribution to television – the Samuelson Award, a British Film InstituteBritish Film Institute
The British Film Institute is a charitable organisation established by Royal Charter to:-Cinemas:The BFI runs the BFI Southbank and IMAX theatre, both located on the south bank of the River Thames in London...
Television Award, British Video Award, an International Emmy, and the awards of the Broadcasting Press Guild and the Royal Philharmonic Society.
He was appointed CVO in 1993, and CBE
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
in 1997 for his contribution to Documentary.
He was Chairman of BAFTA (The British Academy of Film and Television Arts) 1995-1997, and Chairman of The Grierson Trust 2002-2006.