Lean, Sir David, 1908–91, English film director, producer, and scriptwriter, b. Croyden, England. He was one of Britain's most accomplished film editors before turning to directing. His early films include In Which We Serve (1942), Blithe Spirit (1945) and Brief Encounter (1946). Later films include forceful literary dramas and lavish historically based epics. Of the former, Great Expectations (1946), Oliver Twist (1948), and Summertime (1955) stand out. Of the latter, The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), and Dr. Zhivago (1965) are notable. After a 14-year hiatus, he returned with the well-received A Passage to India (1984). Lean was knighted in 1984.

Lean, Sir David

(born March 25, 1908, Croydon, Surrey, Eng.—died April 16, 1991, London) British film director. He worked at Gaumont Studios from 1928, becoming head film editor. He codirected In Which We Serve (1942) with Noël Coward and was sole director of Coward's Blithe Spirit (1945) and Brief Encounter (1945). He directed film adaptations of Great Expectations (1946) and Oliver Twist (1948). Lean won wide acclaim for The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957, Academy Award) and later for Lawrence of Arabia (1962, Academy Award), Dr. Zhivago (1965), and A Passage to India (1984). His literate, epic productions featured spectacular cinematography and stunning locales.