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John Grierson

Scottish documentary pioneer (1898-1972) · United Kingdom · On the map · Directors · Died at 73

John Grierson was a Scottish filmmaker, film theorist, and critic, often considered the father of British and Canadian documentary film. In 1926, Grierson coined the term "documentary" in a review of Robert J. Flaherty's Moana.

John Grierson is read about 39 times a day, in 19 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 9 July 2026

The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 60 days, one point a day.

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A life in dates

1972Died19 February 19721968I Remember, I RememberFilm1960Seawards the Great ShipsFilm, Writer1953Man of AfricaFilm, Producer1952Miss Robin HoodFilm, Producer1939The LondonersFilm, Producer1938Night MailFilm, Commentary (voice)1935A Colour BoxFilm, Producer19346.30 CollectionFilm, Producer1932O'er Hill and DaleFilm, Producer1931Industrial BritainFilm, Producer1929DriftersFilm, Director1898Born26 April 1898

People around John

Also in Deutsch

Filmography 40

63 credits on file

Awards

Commander of the Order of the British Empire

About this person

In 1939, Grierson established the all-time Canadian film institutional production and distribution company The National Film Board of Canada controlled by the Government of Canada.

Country
United Kingdom
Category
Directors
Type
Movie Director
Status
Deceased
Dates
Lived 1898 to 1972 · aged 73

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