kids encyclopedia robot

John Briley facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Richard John Briley
Born
Richard John Briley

(1925-06-25)June 25, 1925
Died December 14, 2019(2019-12-14) (aged 94)
Alma mater University of Michigan (BA), (MA)
University of Birmingham (PhD)
Occupation Screenwriter

Richard John Briley (born June 25, 1925 – died December 14, 2019) was an American writer. He was famous for writing movie scripts, especially for films about real people. He won an Oscar for his script for the movie Gandhi in 1982. Besides movies, he also wrote for TV shows, plays, and published several books.

Richard Briley's Early Life and Career

Richard Briley was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He joined the United States Army Air Forces and served from 1943 to 1946. He reached the rank of captain during his time in the military.

After his service, he went to the University of Michigan. He earned a bachelor's degree in 1950 and a master's degree in English in 1951. In 1950, he married Dorothy Louise Reichart, and they had four children together.

Briley first worked in public relations for General Motors. This means he helped manage how the company was seen by the public. He rejoined the air force in 1955. He was sent to an airbase near London, England. There, he managed activities for new arrivals and began his writing career.

In 1960, he earned a PhD in Elizabethan drama from the University of Birmingham. This is a special degree focusing on plays from the time of Queen Elizabeth I. After this, he left the air force and became a writer for MGM-British Studios in England.

Writing for Movies

While at MGM, Briley wrote the script for Children of the Damned (1964). This was a horror movie, a bit like a follow-up to Village of the Damned. However, he didn't like the changes made to his script for the final movie. He left MGM in 1964. He also had a small, uncredited role in a comedy film called Situation Hopeless... But Not Serious (1965).

Writing the Oscar-Winning Film Gandhi

Briley's script for the movie Pope Joan (1972) caught the eye of famous director Richard Attenborough. Attenborough was working on a movie about Gandhi, a leader of the Indian independence movement. Several scripts for the Gandhi movie had been turned down.

Another writer, Robert Bolt, was supposed to rewrite his own script. But he became ill. So, Attenborough asked Richard Briley to take over. Briley changed the story's focus. Instead of showing things from the point of view of the British in India, he focused on the Indian people's fight for freedom.

Briley wasn't sure about casting Ben Kingsley as Gandhi at first. He thought John Hurt would be better. But he was very happy later that Attenborough chose Kingsley. Kingsley's acting was amazing and became the most important part of the film. Briley and Attenborough were very proud of the movie. Briley's original script won an Oscar and a Golden Globe.

Briley's Later Projects

In 1985, Briley started working on a musical about Martin Luther King Jr.. He wrote the story and songs for it. He left the project in 1989 because of disagreements over his contract. A different version of the musical opened in London in 1990.

In 1987, Briley worked with Richard Attenborough again on the film Cry Freedom. This movie was about Steve Biko, an activist who fought against apartheid in South Africa. Apartheid was a system of unfair racial separation. Briley had some disagreements with Donald Woods, the journalist whose books inspired the script. Briley believed Biko's movement used peaceful methods on purpose. Woods thought it was more of a strategy. Even with these differences, people who saw the film thought it was very realistic.

In 1998, Briley helped start "the Film Makers Company." This company aimed to encourage making movies in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He also planned to move there. In 2000, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival. Richard Briley passed away on December 14, 2019, at the age of 94.

Other Scripts and Works

Richard Briley worked on many other scripts that were not made into movies. These included stories based on books like Henderson the Rain King and White Fang. He also wrote biopics (movies about real people) for figures like Franz Kafka and Pope John Paul II. He even worked on a TV miniseries about the Italian Renaissance.

Richard Briley's Works

Film Scripts

Title Year Notes
The Populist 1999 About Ernst Hanfstaengl; based on his memories.
Molokai: The Story of Father Damien 1999 About Father Damien and a leper colony. Briley also helped produce it.
Christopher Columbus: The Discovery 1992 About Christopher Columbus; written with Cary Bates and Mario Puzo.
The Warriors of the Rainbow 1992 About Greenpeace; based on a book by Robert Hunter.
Sandino 1990 About Augusto César Sandino, a leader in Nicaragua.
Cry Freedom 1987 About Steve Biko and the fight against apartheid in South Africa. Briley also helped produce it.
Tai-Pan 1986 With Stanley Mann; based on a novel by James Clavell.
Marie 1985 About Marie Ragghianti; based on a book by Peter Maas.
Enigma 1982 Based on a novel by Michael Barak.
Gandhi 1982 About Mohandas K. Gandhi; won an Oscar and Golden Globe.
Eagle's Wing 1979 A Western movie; story by Michael Syson.
The Medusa Touch 1978 Based on a novel by Peter Van Greenaway.
That Lucky Touch 1975 A comedy; written with Monja Danischewsky and Moss Hart.
Pope Joan 1972 About Pope Joan; Briley also helped produce it.
Hammerhead 1968 Story by James Mayo; Briley adapted it.
Children of the Damned 1963 A horror movie, a follow-up to Village of the Damned.
Postman's Knock 1962 A comedy; written with Jack Trevor Story.
Invasion Quartet 1961 Based on a novel by Norman Collins; written with Jack Trevor Story.

Other Written Works

Name Year Type Notes
The First Stone 1997 Novel A story about a Jewish American woman working for Mossad.
Mary Sidney – a 20th Century Reappraisal 1985 Book chapter Part of a collection of writings for Willem Schrickx.
The Last Dance 1978 Novel A scientist tries to force world peace by threatening nuclear war.
So Who Needs Men! 1976 Theatre play A funny play set in university rooms. Briley also directed it.
The Traitors 1969 Novel About six US soldiers captured in the Vietnam War. It was also called How Sleep the Brave.
The Airbase 1965 Television show A BBC comedy show based on his own experiences in the air force.
Seven Bob a Buck, subtitled
How to Survive as a Tourist in the USA
1964 Theatre play A short comedy show that made fun of American culture. Briley also acted in it.
Hits and Misses 1962 Television play A play written for BBC television.
A biography of William Herbert, third earl of Pembroke, 1580–1630 1961 Dissertation His PhD paper.
Edward Alleyn and Henslowe's Will 1958 Journal article Published in a magazine called Shakespeare Quarterly.
Of Stake and Stage 1955 Book chapter Published in Shakespeare Survey.
kids search engine
John Briley Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.