David Parkinson

David Parkinson has been a film critic and historian for 40 years. In addition to the Parky at the Pictures blog, he also writes for Radio Times, Empire, and Cinema Paradiso, while his books include History of Film (Thames & Hudson) and 100 Ideas That Changed Film (Laurence King).

All articles by David Parkinson

Lists

The birth of action: 10 sensational stunts from the silent era

How daredevil men and women helped to invent action cinema in the days before Hollywood safety regulations.

By David Parkinson

The birth of action: 10 sensational stunts from the silent era

Where to begin

Where to begin with Louis Feuillade

By David Parkinson

Where to begin with Louis Feuillade

Obituaries

Alvin Rakoff obituary: veteran director of British film and TV

By David Parkinson

Alvin Rakoff obituary: veteran director of British film and TV

Obituaries

Maggie Smith obituary: scene-stealing star who became a national institution

By David Parkinson

Maggie Smith obituary: scene-stealing star who became a national institution

10 great

10 great quota quickies

By David Parkinson

10 great quota quickies

Lists

Happy 100th birthday to Eva Marie Saint: 5 essential films

By David Parkinson

Happy 100th birthday to Eva Marie Saint: 5 essential films

10 great

10 great French avant-garde films of the 1920s

By David Parkinson

10 great French avant-garde films of the 1920s

Obituaries

Bernard Hill obituary: prolific star of Boys from the Blackstuff and three Best Picture winners

By David Parkinson

Bernard Hill obituary: prolific star of Boys from the Blackstuff and three Best Picture winners

10 great

10 great French thrillers

By David Parkinson

10 great French thrillers

Lists

The 25 oldest living film directors

By David Parkinson

The 25 oldest living film directors

Obituaries

Norman Jewison obituary: award-winning director of In the Heat of the Night, Moonstruck and The Thomas Crown Affair

By David Parkinson

Norman Jewison obituary: award-winning director of In the Heat of the Night, Moonstruck and The Thomas Crown Affair

Lists

24 films to watch on TV this Christmas

By David Parkinson

24 films to watch on TV this Christmas

Lists

50 great Christmas films currently streaming - updated for 2023

By Katherine McLaughlin, David Parkinson and others

50 great Christmas films currently streaming - updated for 2023

Obituaries

Joss Ackland obituary: prolific character actor from White Mischief to Lethal Weapon 2

By David Parkinson

Joss Ackland obituary: prolific character actor from White Mischief to Lethal Weapon 2

Lists

Glynis Johns: 10 essential films

By David Parkinson

Glynis Johns: 10 essential films

Obituaries

David McCallum obituary: The Great Escape, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Sapphire & Steel star

By David Parkinson

David McCallum obituary: The Great Escape, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Sapphire & Steel star

Obituaries

Michael Gambon obituary: The Singing Detective, Maigret and Harry Potter star

By David Parkinson

Michael Gambon obituary: The Singing Detective, Maigret and Harry Potter star

10 great

10 great live-action Disney films

By David Parkinson

10 great live-action Disney films

Obituaries

Julian Sands obituary: British star of A Room with a View and Arachnophobia

By David Parkinson

Julian Sands obituary: British star of A Room with a View and Arachnophobia

Obituaries

Glenda Jackson obituary: British screen star of Elizabeth R and Sunday Bloody Sunday

By David Parkinson

Glenda Jackson obituary: British screen star of Elizabeth R and Sunday Bloody Sunday

Lists

Glenda Jackson: 10 essential performances

By David Parkinson

Glenda Jackson: 10 essential performances

10 great

10 great French films of the 1930s

By David Parkinson

10 great French films of the 1930s

Where to begin

Where to begin with Alan Bennett

By David Parkinson

Where to begin with Alan Bennett

Obituaries

Hugh Hudson obituary: Chariots of Fire and Greystoke director

By David Parkinson

Hugh Hudson obituary: Chariots of Fire and Greystoke director

Obituaries

Sylvia Syms obituary: defiant British screen star of Ice Cold in Alex and Victim

By David Parkinson

Sylvia Syms obituary: defiant British screen star of Ice Cold in Alex and Victim

Obituaries

Piers Haggard obituary: Pennies from Heaven and The Blood on Satan’s Claw director

By David Parkinson

Piers Haggard obituary: Pennies from Heaven and The Blood on Satan’s Claw director

10 great

10 great early sound films

By David Parkinson

10 great early sound films

Obituaries

Mike Hodges obituary: the British outsider auteur behind Get Carter

By David Parkinson

Mike Hodges obituary: the British outsider auteur behind Get Carter

Lists

24 films to watch on TV this Christmas, 2022

By David Parkinson

24 films to watch on TV this Christmas, 2022

Obituaries

Leslie Phillips obituary: British star who bridged the worlds of Carry On and Harry Potter

By David Parkinson

Leslie Phillips obituary: British star who bridged the worlds of Carry On and Harry Potter