Roger Pratt BSC, the distinguished British cinematographer renowned for his exceptional contributions to cinema, passed away in late 2024 at the age of 77. Born in Leicester in 1947,
Pratt's formal education in film began at London Film School in the late 1960s. His career commenced with roles such as clapper loader on Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), where he first collaborated with director Terry Gilliam. This partnership flourished over the years, leading to Pratt's cinematography on Gilliam's acclaimed films Brazil (1985), The Fisher King (1991), and 12 Monkeys (1995).
Throughout his career, Pratt demonstrated remarkable versatility, contributing to a diverse array of films. He worked on four projects with Sir Richard Attenborough, including Shadowlands (1993), which won the BAFTA for Best British Film. His work on Neil Jordan's The End of the Affair (1999) earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography. Pratt's expertise also extended to mainstream cinema, where he was instrumental in shaping the visual aesthetics of Tim Burton's Batman (1989) and two instalments of the Harry Potter series: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005).
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to cinematography, Pratt was honoured with the British Society of Cinematographers' Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. His peers and collaborators remember him not only for his technical prowess but also for his dedication to the craft and his collaborative spirit.
Roger Pratt's legacy is immortalised through the indelible images he created, which continue to inspire audiences and filmmakers alike.
Image credit: Frank Masi