NEWS

7 Aug 2001

As a general rule we don't do obituaries at Hammerweb - it's a sad fact that every year sees the loss of so many people from the company's past that to dwell on them all would be too depressing. There is one man, however, whose passing can not go unmentioned.

The many friends, colleagues and admirers of composer James Bernard were saddened to learn that he passed away after many months of ill health on Monday 9 July 2001. James had completed his introduction to the soundtrack album of She in May. Sadly he did not live to see the either the album or David Huckvale's biography, which is due to be published by Flicks Books later this year.

James's best-known Hammer scores include such acknowledged classics as The Quatermass Xperiment, The Curse of Frankenstein, Dracula and The Devil Rides Out. James's contribution to Hammer's films was immeasurable, and alongside such contemporaries as Terence Fisher and Bernard Robinson he will be remembered as one of the British film industry's greatest talents.

James was also a great friend of this website, and in 1998 participated in a lengthy interview about his distinguished career. James was constantly surprised and continually grateful that so many people appreciated his work. All over the world his friends and fans reciprocated with genuine affection, and an admiration of an irreplaceable talent. That admiration will not dim with his passing.

Marcus Hearn
Editor

James Bernard Tribute: Go
James Bernard Interview: Go

 

[Editors note, Feb 2008: links on this page are to archived versions of the pages for reasons of historical interest]