Wissenswertes

Said he cast Nicol Williamson and Helen Mirren as Merlin and Morgana, respectively, against both their protests, in Excalibur (1981) because he thought their real-life dislike for each other would give their scenes more of an edge.

(April 11, 1998) When Boorman's Best Director Oscar nomination for Hope and Glory - Der Krieg der Kinder (1987) coincided with directors Adrian Lyne (UK) for Eine verhängnisvolle Affäre (1987), Lasse Hallström (Sweden) for Mein Leben als Hund (1985), Norman Jewison (Canada) for Mondsüchtig (1987) and winner Bernardo Bertolucci (Italy) for Der letzte Kaiser (1987), this was the only instance in Oscar history where all five Best Director nominees were non-Americans.

He offered the chance to direct Der Exorzist (1973), but declined because he felt the storyline was "cruel towards children". He did, however, accept the offer to direct Exorzist II - Der Ketzer (1977).

He was asked to direct Eine verhängnisvolle Affäre (1987), but turned it down to make Hope and Glory - Der Krieg der Kinder (1987).

Was sent an early draft of a script for Rocky (1976) by producer Robert Chartoff. He wrote back to say that not only was he not interested but that he strongly advised Chartoff to drop the project completely.

He has directed two films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Point Blank - Keiner darf Überleben (1967) and Beim Sterben ist jeder der Erste (1972).

He was the first director attached to 'The Last Run', but he left after he and George C Scott couldn't agree on a script. and he was replaced by John Huston.

He was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1984 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to film.

He is President of the Young Irish Film Makers, a youth based film training organisation based in Kilkenny, Ireland.

Moved to Ireland from L.A. in 1969 when he was directing Leo, der Letzte (1970). Purchased a Georgian rectory in County Wicklow for £21,500. Back then the location was quite remote though, nowadays, his neighbors include such luminaries as, Paddy Moloney (The Chieftains' front man), Paul McGuinness (U2's manager), Daniel Day-Lewis, etc.

It was reported in 1968 that he was going to direct a film of "Rosenkrantz and Guilderstern are dead".

Father of Katrine Boorman, Charley Boorman, Lola Boorman, Telsche Boorman and Daisy Boorman.

President of the 'Cinéfondation & Short films' jury at the 62nd Cannes International Film Festival in 2009.

Biography in: John Wakeman, editor. "World Film Directors, Volume Two, 1945-1985." Pages 141-145. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1988.

Was approached to direct *Solarbabies*, which would have reunited him with the costume/production design team of Bob Ringwood & Anthony Pratt (*Excalibur*). Boorman was "frankly gob-smacked" by the script, however; he sought the permission of Brooksfilms to rewrite it himself, in order to flesh out the backstory and characterizations. Unwilling to delay production, Mel Brooks fired Boorman...replacing him with Alan Johnson. The finished product was such a flop, both commercially and critically, that Brooks admitted Boorman's reluctance "probably should have been a warning sign".

1997: Achievement Award presented by Film Institute of Ireland.

He was originally attached to direct Sharky und seine Profis (1981), but withdrew due to post-production work on Excalibur (1981).

In 2012, he was the subject of a documentary film, originally made for French television and directed by his daughter Katrine. In it, it was revealed that his second marriage, to Isabella Weibrecht, had recently ended in divorce.

Attended Catholic school (Salesian Order) although his family was not Roman Catholic. Apparently his parents thought that Catholic school teachers would be less likely to be drafted into WWII.

2004: Awarded the fellowship of the British Film Academy.

Member of the 'Official Competition' jury at the 48th Venice International Film Festival in 1991.

Wrote an original screenplay with director Neil Jordan called 'Broken Dream' about a young magician in a post-apocalyptic world. Originally Boorman was in talks with River Phoenix and Winona Ryder to star in the early to mid-90's.

He was due to start directing The Rose Lounge in Februa 1966.

He has directed two films that have been nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Beim Sterben ist jeder der Erste (1972) and Hope and Glory - Der Krieg der Kinder (1987).

Grandfather of Kinvara Boorman and Doone Boorman.

He was awarded the Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire in the 2022 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to Film. He is a film director living abroad.

Member of 'Official Competition' jury at the 45th Cannes International Film Festival in 1992.