Known for Camera
Ben Smithard, B.S.C., is a British cinematographer known for his work on period pieces, such as the films The Damned United (2009), My Week with Marilyn (2011), Goodbye Christopher Robin, The Man Who Invented Christmas (both 2017), Blinded by the Light and Downton Abbey (both 2019). In television, Smithard served as cinematographer on the 2007 BBC One series Cranford (2007). He returned for the subsequent series, Return to Cranford, in 2009, for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography. In 2012, Smithard received a nomination for Best Cinematography in a Television Drama by the British Society of Cinematographers for his work on the "Henry IV, Part I" and "Henry IV, Part II" episodes of the BBC Two series The Hollow Crown Description above from the Wikipedia article Ben Smithard, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Birthplace
USA
Filmography
42 films, 16 shows


Bunker
2026 · 2h 6m · FR
When an architect accepts a morally ambiguous project — building a survivalist bunker for a tech billionaire — his wife of 17 years begins to question their relationship.


Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
2025 · 2h 3m · UK
When Mary finds herself at the center of a public scandal and the family faces financial strife, the entire household grapples with the threat of social disgrace. The Crawleys must embrace change as the staff prepares for a new chapter with the next generation leading Downton Abbey into the future.


Lonely Planet
2024 · 1h 36m · US
At an idyllic writers retreat in Morocco, a newly single novelist finds an unexpected connection with a younger man who's reevaluating his life choices.


Freud's Last Session
2023 · 1h 49m · IE
On the eve of the Second World War, two of the greatest minds of the twentieth century, C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud converge for their own personal battle over the existence of God. The film interweaves the lives of Freud and Lewis, past, present, and through fantasy, bursting from the confines of Freud’s study on a dynamic journey.


Allelujah
2023 · 1h 39m · UK
When news of the closure of a small hospital's geriatric ward begins to reach the community, the hospital invites a local news crew to document their planning of a concert in honor of the hospital's most celebrated nurse. But there might be something more threatening to the hospital itself, more deadly than the politicians ready to shut down the place at a moment's notice.


The Son
2022 · 2h 3m · AU
A successful lawyer, with a new wife and infant, agrees to care for his teenage son from a previous marriage after his ex-wife becomes concerned about the boy's wayward behavior.


The Bubble
2022 · 2h 7m · US
Sneaking out. Hooking up. Melting down. The cast and crew of a blockbuster action franchise attempt to shoot a sequel while quarantining at a posh hotel.


The Father
2020 · 1h 37m · FR
A man refuses all assistance from his daughter as he ages and, as he tries to make sense of his changing circumstances, he begins to doubt his loved ones, his own mind and even the fabric of his reality.


Downton Abbey
2019 · 2h 2m · UK
The beloved Crawleys and their intrepid staff prepare for the most important moment of their lives. A royal visit from the King and Queen of England will unleash scandal, romance and intrigue that will leave the future of Downton hanging in the balance.


Blinded by the Light
2019 · 1h 57m · UK
In 1987, during the austere days of Thatcher’s Britain, a teenager learns to live life, understand his family, and find his own voice through the music of Bruce Springsteen.


King Lear
2018 · 1h 55m · UK
An aging King invites disaster, when he abdicates to his corrupt, toadying daughters, and rejects his loving and honest one.


The Man Who Invented Christmas
2017 · 1h 45m · IE
In 1843, despite the fact that Dickens is a successful writer, the failure of his latest book puts his career at a crossroads, until the moment when, struggling with inspiration and confronting reality with his childhood memories, a new character is born in the depths of his troubled mind; an old, lonely, embittered man, so vivid, so human, that a whole world grows around him, a story so inspiring that changed the meaning of Christmas forever.


Goodbye Christopher Robin
2017 · 1h 47m · UK
The behind the scenes story of the life of A.A. Milne and the creation of the Winnie the Pooh stories inspired by his son Christopher Robin.


Diana and I
2017 · 1h 30m · UK
In the week that follows Princess Diana's tragic death on 31 August 1997, four separate stories unfold as four ordinary lives are all affected in different ways in this commemorative drama from writer Jeremy Brock and director Peter Cattaneo.


Viceroy's House
2017 · 1h 46m · IN
In 1947, Lord Mountbatten assumes the post of last Viceroy, charged with handing India back to its people, living upstairs at the house which was the home of British rulers, whilst 500 Hindu, Muslim and Sikh servants lived downstairs.


The Dresser
2015 · 1h 49m · UK
One fateful night in a small English regional theatre during World War II a troupe of touring actors stage a production of Shakespeares King Lear. Bombs are falling, sirens are wailing, the curtain is up in an hour but the actor/manager Sir who is playing Lear is nowhere to be seen. His dresser Norman must scramble to keep the production alive but will Sir turn up in time and if he does will he be able to perform that night? The Dresser is a wickedly funny and deeply moving story of friendship and loyalty as Sir reflects on his lifelong accomplishments and seeks to reconcile his turbulent friendships with those in his employ before the final curtain.


The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
2015 · 2h 2m · UK
As the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has only a single remaining vacancy - posing a rooming predicament for two fresh arrivals - Sonny pursues his expansionist dream of opening a second hotel.


Roald Dahl's Esio Trot
2015 · 1h 27m · UK
Retired bachelor Mr Hoppy is hopelessly in love with his neighbour Mrs Silver, but she is only interested in her pet tortoise Alfie - until Mr Hoppy hatches an audacious plan.


Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa
2013 · 1h 30m · FR
When famous DJ Alan Partridge’s radio station is taken over by a new media conglomerate, it sets in motion a chain of events which see Alan having to work with the police to defuse a potentially violent siege.


Belle
2013 · 1h 45m · UK
Dido Elizabeth Bell, the illegitimate, mixed-race daughter of a Royal Navy admiral, plays an important role in the campaign to abolish slavery in England.


I, Anna
2012 · 1h 33m · FR
A noir thriller told from the point of view of a femme fatale, who falls for the detective in charge of a murder case.


My Week with Marilyn
2011 · 1h 39m · UK
London, 1956. Genius actor and film director Laurence Olivier is about to begin the shooting of his upcoming movie, premiered in 1957 as The Prince and the Showgirl, starring Marilyn Monroe. Young Colin Clark, who dreams on having a career in movie business, manages to get a job on the set as third assistant director.


The Trip
2011 · 1h 47m · UK
When Steve Coogan is asked by The Observer to tour the country's finest restaurants, he envisions it as the perfect getaway with his beautiful girlfriend. But, when she backs out on him, he has no one to accompany him but his best friend and source of eternal aggravation, Rob Brydon.


Freefall
2009 · 1h 29m · UK
FREEFALL is the first drama to tackle the extraordinary financial crisis Britons are living through. Helmed by multiple BAFTA-winning director Dominic Savage, the film takes a startling and provocative look at the events that caused people's lives to spiral out of control. With pace, edge and real emotional punch, it gives a unique insight into how the country came so perilously close to the edge.


The Damned United
2009 · 1h 37m · UK
Taking over Leeds United, Brian Clough's abrasive approach and his clear dislike of the players' dirty style of play make it certain there is going to be friction. Glimpses of his earlier career help explain both his hostility to previous manager Don Revie and how much he is missing right-hand man Peter Taylor.


A Short Stay in Switzerland
2009 · 1h 30m · UK
Just after losing her husband to a similar condition, Dr Anne Turner is diagnosed with a fatal neurological condition. So she plans to end her life herself. Based on a true story.


Glastonbury
2006 · 2h 15m · UK
Julien Temple's 2006 documentary film about the famous music festival from 1970 to 2005, featuring performances from artists such as David Bowie, Bjork, Blur, Oasis and Coldplay. The film is made up of footage shot by Temple at the festival in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, as well as footage sent in by festival goers after a request on websites and newspapers for footage. Temple had initially only agreed to make a film of the 2002 festival after organiser Michael Eavis expressed concern that that would be the last year of the festival. Temple then realised that he wanted to make a film detailing the full history of the festival. The film also includes footage shot by Channel 4 and the BBC during their coverage of the festival since 1994. Text from Wikipedia.


Jean
2000 · 11m
A charming woman and a mysterious young man have a shared past, but what’s the secret?