Flash Gordon director Mike Hodges dies aged 90 as he is hailed as a ‘true master’ of filmmaking
- A close friend of the film veteran, Mike Kaplan, confirmed that he died at his home
- Mike was best known for his work on the British gangster film genre
- He got his big break with Get Carter, which he wrote and directed
- The cause of the director’s death has not yet been confirmed
By Sean O’Grady for Mailonline
Posted: 01:51, 21 December 2022 | Updated: 01:52, December 21, 2022
Director Mike Hodges, known for Get Carter and Flash Gordon, has died aged 90.
A close friend of the famous film veteran Mike Kaplan confirmed to The Guardian late on Tuesday that he died at his home in Dorset on Saturday.
The cause of his death has not yet been confirmed. Mike was best known for his work on the British gangster film genre and got his big break with Get Carter starring Sir Michael Caine, which he wrote and directed.
Passing: Get Carter and Flash Gordon director Mike Hodges dies at 90
He went on to replace Nicolas Roeg as director of Flash Gordon, which he said came together as a perfect “soufflé”, but turned down his work on Mickey Rourke’s critically acclaimed 1987 film A Prayer for the Dying.
Tributes began flooding social media after the death was confirmed, including from director Matthew Sweet, who tweeted: “Just heard the news about Mike Hodges.
“A true master. A furious restless talent. An unbeatable set of works. I liked the movies. I loved the man.
Screenwriter Brian Lynch said: “Mike Hodges, the director of FLASH GORDON, has died.
Caption: A close friend of celebrated film veteran Mike Kaplan confirmed to The Guardian late on Tuesday that he had died at his home in Dorset on Saturday
“I finally saw this movie during the pandemic and it brought me such joy.
“I’ve watched it many times since then. Nothing else like it. Rest in peace sir.
Born in Bristol in 1932, he began his career as a chartered accountant before serving two years as a Royal Navy minesweeper around the fishing ports of northern England.
He said the “awful poverty” he witnessed while doing the job influenced the anger behind Get Carter, as he started out as a “young Tory” and became an “angry, radical young man”.
Director: Cause of death still unconfirmed (pictured with Clive Owen and Charlotte Rampling)
Mike co-wrote and was set to direct the 1978 horror film Damien: The Omen 2, but dropped out when he found it “too scary.” The producer pulled out a loaded gun and placed it on the table during a heated conversation about the budget.
His 1998 film The Croupier, starring Clive Owens as a casino dealer, was a box office bomb in Britain, but received rave reviews in America and became a cult classic.
Mike then came out of semi-retirement to direct Clive in his last film of 2003, I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, another gangster film featuring the male lead seeking gangster revenge for the rape of his younger brother.
Reaction: Tributes started flooding social media after the death was confirmed
His long-time friend Malcolm McDowell called him a “rare bird” in British cinema and lamented how long it had taken him to gain recognition.
Mike ended his life saying he was happy tending to his vegetables at his home in Dorset.
He is survived by his wife Carol Laws, sons Ben and Jake Hodges and five grandchildren, Marlon, Honey, Orson, Michael and Gabriel.
Career: Mike was best known for his work on the British gangster film genre and got his big break with Get Carter starring Sir Michael Caine, which he wrote and directed
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