John Mackenzie

John Leonard Duncan Mackenzie (22 May 1928 – 8 June 2011) was a Scottish film director who worked in British film from the late 1960s, first as an assistant director and later as an independent director himself. Early life Mackenzie was born in Edinburgh, where he attended Holy Cross Academy. He studied history at the University of Edinburgh. He studied drama and joined Edinburgh's Gateway Theatre Company. He worked as a teacher and moved to London in 1960. Career Early career He began his career with Ken Loach, acting as the latter's assistant director on such works as Up the Junction (1965) and Cathy Come Home (1966). This training allowed Mackenzie to begin a move into directing himself, as well as teaching him the skills of working on location with non-professional, local actors to a tight budget and schedule.