Jack Hawkins: A Biography

Jack Hawkins was the living embodiment of British ruggedness, resilience, humour, uprightness, and compassion on and off the screen. ‘The Cruel Sea’, ‘Bridge on the River Kwai’, ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, ‘Zulu’, ‘Mandy’ and ‘Ben-Hur’ were just a few of the scores of films which made him a top star. He built his fame not only on his acting ability, but also on his image as a symbol of British pluck and determination. His voice was unmistakable, with its whisky resonance, and deep reserve of authority. As Sir Michael Parkinson remarked, ‘He was a formidable presence in the British film industry and later became one of those trustworthy film stars who an audience loved because he made them believe that everyone was as decent and brave as Jack Hawkins.’ He fought some courageous screen battles, but his bravest fight came when throat cancer threatened his career. This is the definitive biography of one of the most iconic and enduring legends of British cinema, whose major presence in film, television, and theatre lasted throughout the twentieth century. With contributions from Virginia MacKenna, Peter McEnery, Derren Nesbitt, Michael Jayston and many others. Jack Hawkins was the living embodiment of British ruggedness, resilience, humour, uprightness, and compassion on and off the screen. ‘The Cruel Sea’, ‘Bridge on the River Kwai’, ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, ‘Zulu’, ‘Mandy’ and ‘Ben-Hur’ were just a few of the scores of films which made him a top star. He built his fame not only on his acting ability, but also on his image as a symbol of British pluck and determination. His voice was unmistakable, with its whisky resonance, and deep reserve of authority. As Sir Michael Parkinson remarked, ‘He was a formidable presence in the British film industry and later became one of those trustworthy film stars who an audience loved because he made them believe that everyone was as decent and brave as Jack Hawkins.’ He fought some courageous screen battles, but his bravest fight came when throat cancer threatened his career.