Steven Spielberg has named him as an influence.
Biography in: John Wakeman, editor. "World Film Directors, Volume One, 1890-1945". Pages 917-923. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1987.
Did not rate Alfred Hitchcock very highly as he thought that the best directors should display their range through filming a variety of subjects, whereas Hitchcock chose to direct mainly thrillers.
Had a son Max from his marriage to Penelope Dudley-Ward.
He worked in close collaboration with writer Graham Greene in the late 40s, producing two of his greatest films: The Fallen Idol (1948) and The Third Man (1949).
His lovers included Daphne Du Maurier and Jessie Matthews.
In 1952 he became the first British film director to receive a knighthood for his craft.
Is buried at Gunnersbury Cemetery in West London. His widow Penelope was laid to rest beside him following her death in 1982.
One of his earliest mentors was writer Edgar Wallace.
Quit after several months as director of Mutiny on the Bounty (1962) because he found he was unable to handle Marlon Brando's ego. He was unaware that the studio had given Brando control of the picture.
Retropective at the 48th Donostia-San Sebastián Film Festival. [2000]
Step-father of actress Tracy Reed.
Uncle of Oliver Reed.
Was the illegitimate son of Herbert Beerbohm Tree (Reed's mother, May Reed, was Tree's mistress).