Hugh Hudson with his wife Maryam D’Abo
(Picture: PA)Film director Hugh Hudson, who directed best picture Oscar winner Chariots of Fire, has died aged 86 following a short illness.
A statement released on behalf of his family said: “Hugh Hudson, 86, beloved husband and father, died at Charing Cross Hospital on February 10 2023 after a short illness.
“He was best known for directing the Oscar winning film Chariots of Fire. He is survived by his wife Maryam, his son Thomas and his first wife Sue.”
Nigel Havers, who starred in the 1981 film about the 1924 Olympics, said he was “beyond devastated” by news of Hudson’s death.
“I am beyond devastated that my great friend Hugh Hudson who I have known for more than 45 years has died,” he said in a statement shared with the PA news agency.
“Chariots of Fire was one of the greatest experiences of my professional life, and, like so many others, I owe much of what followed to him.
“I shall miss him greatly.”
London-born Hudson started out in documentaries and advertising and Chariots of Fire was his first feature film. Other films followed including Greystoke, a new take on the story of Tarzan, and Revolution - a historical epic starring Al Pacino set during the American War of Independence that flopped badly at the box office.
His death follows that of Vangelis, who wrote the stirring theme tune, last May, and Ben Cross who died in 2020 having played British Olympic athlete Harold Abrahams in the film.
The film, which won four Oscars including best score, was inspired by the story of two real-life runners - Harold Abrahams who overcame anti-semitism to become 100 metres Olympic champion and devout Christian Eric Liddell who won the 400 metres after he refused to race in the 100 metres as his heat was being held on a Sunday.
Its triumph at the 1981 Oscars famous prompted its scriptwriter, Colin Welland, to predict a resurgence of the UK’s film industry and warn Hollywood “The British are coming”.
