French director Jeannot Szwarc has died, it’s been announced. He was 85 years old.
Understandably, the film world is mourning the loss overnight of one of its true greats, David Lynch. Lost a little though is that a fine genre director also passed away.
French director Jeannot Szwarc died on Wednesday 15th January, it was announced, at the age of 85.
Born in Paris, Swarc moved to America and cut his teeth on popular television shows such as Kojak and The Rockford Files. But for the movie-going generation of the 1970s and 1980s, it was his feature films that drew the most attention.
His big break was arguably 1978’s Jaws 2 (pictured), getting the nod when Steven Spielberg declined the opportunity to return to the sequel (and after original director John Hancock was fired). Perhaps his most acclaimed American film followed, 1980’s Somewhere In Time, starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour.
For producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind, Szwarc then directed 1984’s Supergirl and 1985’s Santa Claus: The Movie, both in the UK. A pair of movies with their fair share of troubles, but also, a fair share of charm as well. He also directed the 1982 spy thriller Enigma, said to be a personal favourite among his own work.
Szwarc eventually went back to television as his feature film career petered out, and his final credits saw him working on the shows Grey’s Anatomy and Designated Survivor towards the back end of the 2010s.
He leaves behind a lot of work, and our thoughts are with his family and friends. We’ll leave the last word to Jane Seymour, posting on Instagram:
Jeannot Szwarc was not just a brilliant director but a kind and generous soul. He gifted us many timeless stories, including Somewhere in Time, a film that changed my life forever. May his memory be a blessing, and may his artistry live on in our hearts
Rest in peace, Mr Szwarc.