John Coquillon

Who was John Coquillon?

John Coquillon was a Dutch-born cinematographer. Born in The Hague, Netherlands, Coquillon started in the British film industry as a Pinewood Studios clapper loader in the 1950s before becoming a documentary cameraman later in the decade shooting numerous wildlife movies throughout Africa. Coquillon relocated from Africa back to the UK in the mid-1960s. His ability to work speedily and utilize natural light brought him to the attention of writer Alfred Shaughnessy, who recommended Coquillon to director Michael Reeves for Witchfinder General, the first of several horror films that he worked on as Director of Photography for American International Pictures.

In 1971, Coquillon began a fruitful working relationship with Sam Peckinpah, first serving as cinematographer for the controversial director’s critically acclaimed Straw Dogs. He later shot Peckinpah’s Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, Cross of Iron, and The Osterman Weekend. After Osterman, the majority of Coquillon’s remaining credits were in television, including the television movie Ivanhoe and numerous miniseries.

Coquillon’s other films include The Wilby Conspiracy and Clockwise.