Background
John Davies, who was born in Birmingham, was educated at King Edward VI Grammar School, Stratford on Avon. This was Shakespeare’s school and it encouraged an interest in drama, - mounting productions every year, including plays by Shakespeare’s contemporaries. In addition to performing in these productions, John was auditioned by BBC radio in Birmingham at the age of 15, and subsequently broadcast many times. On leaving school, he found work with various repertory companies, as an assistant stage manager and playing “as cast”. When he was 21 he joined BBC radio as a trainee studio manager, eventually moving across into television - directing news and documentaries. He directed a few short television plays from BBC Birmingham and then a twice weekly serial “United”. Moving to the BBC in London he directed a “Dr Who” serial, countless episodes of “The Newcomers”, and “Z Cars” before being asked to direct the first of many adaptations of classic novels which established his reputation.
Productions
- WAR AND PEACE by Leo Tolstoy starring ANTHONY HOPKINS Directed all 20 episodes for the BBC.
- NANA by Emile Zola starring FREDDIE JONES Directed all 5 episodes for the BBC.
- GERMINAL by Emile Zola starring FREDDIE JONES & ROSEMARY LEACH Directed all 5 episodes for the BBC.
- THE WOODLANDERS by Thomas Hardy starring FELICITY KENDAL & ANGELA THORNE Directed all 5 episodes for the BBC.
- DANTON a single 90 minute play starring ANTHONY HOPKINS Directed for the BBC.
- SILVER BLAZE by Conan Doyle starring CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER as Sherlock Holmes Directed for the Learning Corporation of America.
- BEL AMI by Guy de Maupassant starring SUZANNE NEVE Directed all 5 episodes for the BBC.
- LLOYD GEORGE a single play starring ANTHONY HOPKINS & ANNETTE CROSBIE Directed for the BBC.
- WHOM GOD HATH JOINED by Arnold Bennett A single play adaptation, directed for the BBC.
- BOY DOMINIC starring RICHARD TODD Several episodes directed for YTV.
- CLAYHANGER by Arnold Bennett starring HARRY ANDREWS, JANET SUZMAN, PETER McENERY, DENNIS QUILLEY & DENHOLM ELLIOTT Directed 15 episodes for ATV.
- RAFFLES by E W Hornung starring ANTHONY VALENTINE Directed 3 episodes for YTV.
- SIZWE BANSI IS DEAD by Athol Fugard starring JOHN KANI & WINSTON NTSHONA Single play directed for the BBC from the Royal Court production.
- LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER by Roald Dahl starring BRIAN BLESSED & SUSAN GEORGE A Tales of the Unexpected episode directed for Anglia Television.
- SLEEPING MURDER by Agatha Christie starring JOAN HICKSON as Miss Marple A 2 hour film directed for the BBC.
- THE CARE OF TIME by Eric Ambler starring CHRISTOPHER LEE & MICHAEL BRANDON Directed for Anglia Television.
- WHY DIDN’T THEY ASK EVANS? By Agatha Christie starring ERIC PORTER, FRANCESCA ANNIS & JOAN HICKSON Directed for LWT.
- THOMAS & SARAH starring JOHN ALDERTON, PAULINE COLLINS, THORA HIRD & NIGEL HAWTHORNE 3 episodes directed for LWT.
- MR. PALFREY OF WESTMINSTER starring ALEC McCOWEN Several episodes directed for Thames Television.
- CHANGE PARTNERS by Julian Bond starring ANNA CARTERET & PETER McENERY A single play directed for LWT.
- JUST WILLIAM by Richmal Crompton starring DIANA DORS, BONNIE LANGFORD & ADRIAN DANNATT Produced and directed all 28 episodes for LWT.
- COVER HER FACE by PD James starring ROY MARSDEN, PHYLLIS CALVERT and BILL FRASER Directed all 6 episodes for Anglia Television.
- A TASTE FOR DEATH by PD James starring ROY MARSDEN, WENDY HILLER, PENNY DOWNIE & OLIVER FORD DAVIES Directed all 6 episodes for Anglia Television.
- DEVICES AND DESIRES by PD James starring ROY MARSDEN, SUSANNAH YORK & GEMMA JONES Directed all 6 episodes for Anglia Television.
- UNNATURAL CAUSES by PD James starring ROY MARSDEN & BILL NIGHY Directed both episodes for Anglia Television.
- THE FIRST LADY starring THORA HIRD A single episode directed for the BBC.
- CI5 - THE NEW PROFESSIONALS starring EDWARD WOODWARD Directed 2 episodes, one of them in the States, for David Wickes Productions.
- THE VIOLIN FANTASY starring VANESSA MAE A short film directed for the cinema.
- WOLF TO THE SLAUGHTER by Ruth Rendell starring GEORGE BAKER 4 episodes produced and directed for TVS and devised the series of adaptations which then ran for many years.
- KIM by Rudyard Kipling starring PETER O’TOOLE 3 hour film shot in India for London Films.
- A MARRIED MAN by Piers Paul Read starring ANTHONY HOPKINS An adaptation produced for LWT.
Contact
John can be contacted via his agent, Associated International Management, or by completing the contact form below
Associated International Management, Fairfax House, Fulwood Place, London WC1V 6HU. Tel: 020 7831 9709