RIP David Leland

 

David Leland, the director behind popular 1980s hit Wish You Were Here and writer on a string of acclaimed British films including Made in Britain, Mona Lisa and Personal Services, has died aged 82 on December 25, 2023. He was born David Hugh Leland was born in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England on April 20, 1941. Leland initially trained as an actor at the Central School of Speech of Drama, before becoming part of the breakaway that led to the creation of the Drama Centre in 1963. He secured small roles in 1970s films and television. Leland then made his name as a writer with Made in Britain, a standalone drama starring Tim Roth as a skinhead. David then made his own move into directing film, with the 1987 wartime comedy drama Wish You Were Here. Branching out into the music industry, Leland made a number of videos for Harrison’s Traveling Wilburys band. He was then asked to direct the monumental Concert for George documentary, the 2003 film of the Harrison tribute concert that had taken place after the musician’s death in 2001. He is survived by his wife, Sabrina, his four daughters, his son and his six grandchildren. Leland appeared in only one Euro-western as David Gamut in the 1971 British mini-series “The Last of the Mohicans” starring Kenneth Ives.