Obituary: Michael Macintyre, BBC Producer and Photographer, Dies at 85
Michael Macintyre, a celebrated television producer and director for the BBC known for his collaborations with Sir David Attenborough and his evocative photographic work, has died at the age of 85. His career, which began in the 1960s, left a lasting legacy through films that documented cultures now lost to time.
Early Life and Education
Born in Baildon, West Yorkshire, Michael was the son of Vera Brougham and David Gray. Following his father's death, his mother remarried Maurice Macintyre, whose surname Michael later adopted. He received his education at Cheltenham Grammar School before progressing to Magdalen College, Oxford, where he studied physics.
A Fortuitous Meeting and BBC Career
A pivotal moment occurred in 1961 when Michael and a friend, who pens this obituary, both attended an interview in London for a trainee television engineer position at the BBC. Remarkably, they discovered they had been on the same physics course at Oxford for nearly three years without ever meeting. This chance encounter sparked a lifelong friendship.
Both were subsequently hired by the BBC, with Michael's career advancing swiftly. He initially worked as a videotape editor before becoming a director in the BBC TV presentation department by 1963. In 1965, he transitioned to the music and arts department, contributing to programmes such as Look of the Week, Release, and Review.
Landmark Productions and Collaboration with Attenborough
After a year of travel in the Far East in 1969, Michael returned to the BBC as a producer/director. His most notable work began with collaborations on David Attenborough's series The Tribal Eye in 1975 and Spirit of Asia in 1980.
He later produced and directed significant documentary series including The Shogun Inheritance in 1984 and The New Pacific in 1985. These projects were often accompanied by books featuring Michael's own striking photographs, taken on location during production. Many of his films serve as invaluable historical records, capturing cultures and ways of life that have since disappeared.
Later Career and Personal Passions
In 1991, Michael left the BBC to pursue a freelance career as a director, cameraman, video editor, and photographer. He continued to produce films, several for the BBC, until a diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia forced his retirement in 2007.
Outside of his professional life, Michael was a man of diverse interests. He enjoyed playing the guitar and had a deep appreciation for classical music and dance, both Indian and Western. An avid sportsman, he was a keen tennis player and cyclist, and maintained a collection of fast cars and motorbikes. However, his overriding passion was always photography.
Family and Legacy
Michael Macintyre is survived by his partner, Stephanie Chilman, whom he met at the BBC when she was a production assistant, and their daughter, Natasha. His body of work stands as a testament to a life dedicated to visual storytelling and the preservation of cultural heritage through the lens of his camera.
