Garth Craven, a prominent British-born sound and film editor, as well as second-unit director, passed away at the age of 84. Throughout his career, Craven worked on notable projects such as six films directed by Sam Peckinpah, including “Straw Dogs,” “The Getaway,” “Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid,” “Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia,” “The Killer Elite,” and “Convoy.” He also contributed to popular films such as “Turner and Hooch,” “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” and “Legally Blonde.”
Craven’s tragic death occurred on May 20 while he was returning to Los Angeles from a safari in Namibia. He experienced a medical emergency during the flight. His daughter, Willow Kalatchi, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter.
Craven began his collaboration with director Sam Peckinpah on “Straw Dogs” in 1971. They went on to work on several more projects together, including “The Getaway,” “Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid,” “Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia,” “The Killer Elite,” and “Convoy.” For the first three films, Craven collaborated with fellow editor Roger Spottiswoode. As Spottiswoode transitioned to a directorial role, they continued their partnership on films like “Shoot to Kill,” “Turner and Hooch,” and “Air America.” They also collaborated on two HBO telefilms: “Third Degree Burn” in 1989 and “And the Band Played On” in 1993.
Craven was not limited to his collaboration with Peckinpah and Spottiswoode; he also worked with other notable directors. He edited films such as “Gaby: A True Story” and “When a Man Loves a Woman” for Luis Mandoki, “Soapdish,” “Restoration,” “One Fine Day,” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” for Michael Hoffman, and “My Best Friend’s Wedding” and “Peter Pan” for P.J. Hogan.
Related Post
Born and raised in Yorkshire, England, Craven studied philosophy and English at the University of Leeds. During his studies, he had the opportunity to work on Fellini’s “Satyricon” in the sound editing department, which marked his first experience in Italy. He received a BAFTA nomination for his work as a dubbing editor on Joseph Losey’s “The Go-Between.”
Craven’s journey to Hollywood began when Peckinpah invited him to join him on his film projects. He started as a sound editor on “Straw Dogs” while it was being filmed in London. Craven then had the opportunity to edit his first film, “Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid,” which marked the beginning of his fruitful collaboration with Peckinpah.
In a 1993 interview, Craven spoke about Peckinpah’s reputation for shooting extensive amounts of film. He mentioned that the director printed a lot of film and had lengthy dailies, but Craven found it rewarding as it increased the chances of discovering valuable moments in the footage. Craven also noted that Peckinpah enjoyed making people uneasy and was averse to anything that brought comfort. Despite this, Craven’s calm and self-assured demeanor made him one of the few individuals who rarely clashed with the mercurial director.
Craven’s impressive body of work extended beyond his collaborations with Peckinpah. He edited films like “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden,” “Carny,” “Educating Rita,” “Leap of Faith,” “Return to Me,” and “Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous,” which was his final credit in 2005.
Aside from his successful career, Craven also had a fulfilling personal life. He was married to Jacqueline for over 60 years, and they had three children together: Willow, Daniel, and Sam. Craven is also survived by his grandchildren Sophia, Harper, and Scarlett.
Garth Craven’s passing is a significant loss to the film industry. His contributions as a talented sound and film editor, as well as a second-unit director, have left an indelible mark on numerous iconic films. His ability to work with renowned directors and deliver exceptional work showcases his talent and dedication to his craft. Craven’s legacy will continue to influence and inspire future generations of filmmakers.
