David Lean
Awards & Honours
38
Awards Won
5
Honours
3
Rankings
3
Covers
2
Records
David Lean's achievements in cinema are extraordinary. He won two Academy Awards for Best Director and was nominated seven times, a testament to his consistent excellence. His film Lawrence of Arabia is frequently ranked among the greatest films ever made, and he directed seven films that appear on the BFI's Top 100 British Films list, three in the top five. His influence on later directors is immense, and his epic style set a standard that few have matched.
Awards
Honours & Distinctions
Knight Bachelor
Knighted for services to cinema.
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Awarded for his contributions to film.
AFI Life Achievement Award
Lifetime achievement award.
British Film Institute Fellowship
Honorary fellowship.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Star at 6918 Hollywood Boulevard.
Rankings & Lists
Sight & Sound Greatest Films of All Time
BFI Top 100 British Films
AFI 100 Years...100 Movies
Magazine Covers
Time
1963-01-04
David Lean: Master of the Epic
Life
1962-12-14
Lawrence of Arabia: The Making of an Epic
Sight & Sound
1963-01-01
David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia
Records & Feats
Most Academy Award nominations for Best Director without a win (tied)
Lean was nominated seven times and won twice, but his record of nominations is notable.
First director to win two Oscars for Best Director for films over three hours
Both The Bridge on the River Kwai and Lawrence of Arabia exceeded three hours.