Peter Yates facts for kids

Peter Yates was a famous film director.

Peter James Yates (born 24 July 1929 – died 9 January 2011) was an English film director and producer. He was known for directing many popular movies, including the action film Bullitt and the inspiring drama Breaking Away.

Peter Yates' Life and Career

Early Life and Start in Film

Peter Yates was born in Aldershot, Hampshire, England. His father was an army officer. Peter went to Charterhouse School and later studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. This is a famous school for actors.

For some years, Peter worked as an actor, director, and stage manager in plays. He directed shows in London and New York. He even spent two years working with famous race car drivers Stirling Moss and Peter Collins.

In the 1950s, Peter Yates began working in the film industry. He did many different jobs, like adding voices to foreign films and editing documentaries. Eventually, he became a top assistant director. He helped make films like The Guns of Navarone (1961).

First Movies as a Director

Peter Yates directed his first full-length movie, Summer Holiday, in 1963. It was a fun movie starring the singer Cliff Richard. This film was very popular in Britain that year.

His next film was One Way Pendulum (1964). It was a unique movie based on a play. During the mid-1960s, Peter also directed episodes for popular TV shows like The Saint and Danger Man.

In 1967, he directed Robbery. This movie was based on the real-life Great Train Robbery of 1963. It was a big success with critics in the United States.

Moving to Hollywood and Big Successes

Because Robbery was so well-received, Peter Yates was asked to direct Bullitt (1968). This was his first American film. Bullitt became famous for its amazing car chase scene, which is still considered one of the best in movie history.

Peter Yates later moved to New York to continue his film career. He believed filmmakers should go where the best stories are. Bullitt was a huge hit, and Peter signed a deal to make more movies.

He enjoyed directing different types of films. After Bullitt, he made a romantic comedy called John and Mary (1969) with Dustin Hoffman and Mia Farrow. He also directed the war film Murphy's War (1971) and another heist movie, The Hot Rock (1972), starring Robert Redford.

Peter Yates continued to direct crime films like The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973), starring Robert Mitchum. He also directed comedies, including For Pete's Sake (1974) with Barbra Streisand. In 1977, he had a big commercial success with the adventure film The Deep.

Award-Winning Films

Peter Yates used the success of The Deep to help make Breaking Away (1979). This movie was about a young man who loves cycling. Peter directed and produced it. Breaking Away was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Film for Peter Yates. It even inspired a short TV series.

He then directed the fantasy film Krull (1983), which was not as successful.

However, Peter Yates had another major success with The Dresser (1983). He produced and directed this film, which was based on a popular play. The Dresser received many awards and nominations, including seven BAFTA awards and five Oscar nominations. Peter Yates was nominated for Best Director and Best Film for this movie.

Peter Yates considered The Dresser, Eddie Coyle, and Breaking Away to be his three favorite films. He once said he just wanted to make the movies he wanted to make.

Later Career and Legacy

After The Dresser, Peter Yates directed several more films, including Eleni (1985), Suspect (1987) with Cher, and An Innocent Man (1989) with Tom Selleck.

In the early 1990s, he moved to Los Angeles. He directed films like Year of the Comet (1992) and Roommates (1995). He also went to Ireland to make The Run of the Country (1995).

In 1997, Peter Yates returned to London. He felt that the types of films being made were changing, with more focus on teenage movies and special effects. He directed Curtain Call (1998) and a TV movie version of Don Quixote in 2000. His final film was A Separate Peace (2004).

Peter Yates had two main directing styles. One was for his action and thriller movies, often showing characters who feel alone but overcome challenges. The other style was more emotional, focusing on characters facing tough choices, especially in his coming-of-age films. He liked to tell stories about underdogs who fight against difficulties and win.

Death

Peter Yates passed away from heart failure in London on 9 January 2011. He was 81 years old.

Movies and TV Shows Directed by Peter Yates

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  Peter Yates

See also

In Spanish: Peter Yates para niños