Mike Hodges, best known as the director of dark, stylish thrillers such as Get Carter – the original – trader, The terminal man and I sleep when I’m dead has passed away according to his old friend and producer I sleep when I’m dead, Mike Kaplan. Hodges turned 90.
Hodges was a relatively new director working primarily in television when he stormed the international film scene Get Carter in 1971. The crime drama starring Michael Caine is still considered one of the greatest British gangster films of all time. Set against a working-class backdrop in northern England, Hodges mixed irony and humor with intense tension and sudden violence. These elements, along with his attention to atmosphere, became his trademarks. The film was remade in 2000 starring Sylvester Stallone.
In 2000, his film trader introduced Clive Owen to the world. The two would not work together again until three years later I sleep when I’m deadwhich also starred Charlotte Rampling, Malcolm McDowell and Jonathan Rhys Meyers.
Upon publication traderThe legendary New York Observer critic Andrew Sarris calls Hodges “one of the most underrated and virtually unknown masters of the medium of the last 30 years”.
Hodges took a broader approach to comedy with his 1980 Camp classic Flash Gordonpowered by a theme song by Queen, for which Hodges later directed several music videos
The New York Times critic AO Scott wrote that it was the review by Pauline Kael Flash Gordon which makes him take films seriously.
Hodge’s other notable films include The terminal man with George Segal, cellulose with Caine and Mickey Rooney and A prayer for the dyingwith Bob Hoskins and Mickey Rourke.
His television career spanned the miniseries dandelion dead and Square the circleWritten by Tom Stoppard.
Hodges was recently awarded a month-long retrospective by the British Film Institute at the National Film Theatre.
He is survived by his wife Carol Laws, sons Ben and Jake Hodges, and five grandchildren Marlon, Honey, Orson, Michael and Gabriel.
Writer: Tom Tick
Source: Deadline
Bernice Bonaparte is an author and entertainment journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a passion for pop culture and a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest entertainment news, Bernice has become a trusted source for information on the entertainment industry.
