What Happened to Roger Pratt? ‘Batman’ Cinematographer Passes Away

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The news about the demise of Roger Pratt has cast a somber shadow over the film industry, as it mourns the passing of a legendary cinematographer. Known for his exceptional work on Batman (1989) and two Harry Potter films, Pratt breathed his last at the age of 77. His distinguished career took off after he graduated from the London Film School, where he realized that directing was not his true vocation. Instead, he chose cinematography, garnering acclaim, numerous BAFTA nominations, and even an Oscar nomination for The End of the Affair (1999).

Let’s explore Pratt’s illustrious journey and his contributions to cinema.

Roger Pratt passes away at 77, claims report

The British Society of Cinematographers mournfully confirmed the passing of Roger Pratt in 2024. While they did not disclose the exact date or details about the circumstances, Pratt was a valued member of BSC since 1986.

Based on an article from Deadline, he chose to retire earlier than expected because he had been struggling with Young-Onset Familial Alzheimer’s Disease for quite some time.

Pratt kicked off his professional journey as a camera assistant for the movie “Bleak Moments” (1971) directed by Mike Leigh. Later, he made his mark as Director of Photography in Roger Christian’s film “The Sender” (1982). Notably, after a successful debut, Pratt went on to work on many notable films from the 80s and 90s such as “The Fisher King” (1991), “12 Monkeys” (1995), “Shadowlands” (1993), “In Love and War” (1996), and “Grey Owl” (1999).

Pratt’s defining moment came when he decided to take on the role of cinematographer for Tim Burton’s Batman in 1989. This was followed by him being the Director of Photography (DP) for Neil Jordan’s The End of the Affair, which garnered him an Oscar nomination and a nod from BAFTA. A year after this, he earned another BAFTA nomination for Lasse Hallström’s Chocolat. Additionally, he received numerous nominations from the British Society of Cinematographers (BSC), including an Oscar nomination.

Despite being widely recognized as a shining example among independent photographers, Pratt himself tends to view his work as more technical than artistic. In an interview with The New Yorker, he expressed, “Given that my profession involves handling large quantities of lights, cameras made of metal, and laboratories, it has made me quite practical – almost the antithesis of artistic. I see myself primarily as a technician. Photography is rooted in science. Photographs are essentially chemical reactions in labs, light on paper, images captured in silver halide – but they transform into living entities.

Roger Pratt’s technical prowess and creative soul will serve as an inspiring guide for those who follow in his footsteps.

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2025-01-07 12:40