Denis Forman
Encyclopedia
Sir Denis Forman is a former executive in the British film and television industry.
and educated at Pembroke College, Cambridge
. Forman had a distinguished military career during the Second World War and was wounded at Monte Cassino
. After the war, Forman moved into the film and television industry. He was was the Director of The British Film Institute from 1948 to 1955, and later Chair of the Board of Governors from 1971 to 1973. Forman was Chairman of Granada Television
from 1974 to 1987, and Deputy Chairman, Granada Group from 1984 to 1990. Forman was also the deputy chairman of the Royal Opera House
Covent Garden, London, from 1983 to 1991.
The 1999 film My Life So Far
was based on his memoirs and depicts his life in the Scottish countryside as a ten-year old boy.
Son of Adam (autobiog.), 1990
To Reason Why (autobiog.), 1991
The Good Opera Guide, (ed) 1994
Persona Granada: some memories of Sidney Bernstein and the early days of Independent Television (autobiog.), 1997
The Good Wagner Guide, 2000
Career
Forman was born in 1917 at Cragielands in DumfriesDumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
and educated at Pembroke College, Cambridge
Pembroke College, Cambridge
Pembroke College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college has over seven hundred students and fellows, and is the third oldest college of the university. Physically, it is one of the university's larger colleges, with buildings from almost every century since its...
. Forman had a distinguished military career during the Second World War and was wounded at Monte Cassino
Battle of Monte Cassino
The Battle of Monte Cassino was a costly series of four battles during World War II, fought by the Allies against Germans and Italians with the intention of breaking through the Winter Line and seizing Rome.In the beginning of 1944, the western half of the Winter Line was being anchored by Germans...
. After the war, Forman moved into the film and television industry. He was was the Director of The British Film Institute from 1948 to 1955, and later Chair of the Board of Governors from 1971 to 1973. Forman was Chairman of Granada Television
Granada Television
Granada Television is the ITV contractor for North West England. Based in Manchester since its inception, it is the only surviving original ITA franchisee from 1954 and is ITV's most successful....
from 1974 to 1987, and Deputy Chairman, Granada Group from 1984 to 1990. Forman was also the deputy chairman of 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...
Covent Garden, London, from 1983 to 1991.
The 1999 film My Life So Far
My Life So Far
My Life So Far is a 1999 film about the year in the life of a ten-year old Scottish boy. It was directed by Hugh Hudson, with screenplay by Simon Donald...
was based on his memoirs and depicts his life in the Scottish countryside as a ten-year old boy.
Publications
Mozart’s Piano Concertos, 1971Son of Adam (autobiog.), 1990
To Reason Why (autobiog.), 1991
The Good Opera Guide, (ed) 1994
Persona Granada: some memories of Sidney Bernstein and the early days of Independent Television (autobiog.), 1997
The Good Wagner Guide, 2000
External links
- WW2 Experience Website detailing Forman's Military Career
- History of The British Film Institute Project
See also
- Sidney Bernstein
- John GriersonJohn GriersonJohn Grierson was a pioneering Scottish documentary maker, often considered the father of British and Canadian documentary film. According to popular myth, in 1926, Grierson coined the term "documentary" to describe a non-fiction film.-Early life:Grierson was born in Deanston, near Doune, Scotland...
- David PlowrightDavid PlowrightDavid Ernest Plowright, CBE was an English television executive and producer....