Born in Kalamazoo, MI. Long a resident of England, he contributed literate screenplays for a number of British films (such as CHILDREN OF THE DAMNED, 1964), winning an Oscar® for GANDHI (1982). He also wrote novels, short stories, and plays. Other notable credits, alone or in collaboration, include POPE JOAN (1972, also assoc. producer), THE MEDUSA TOUCH (1978), EAGLE'S WING (1979), ENIGMA (1982), TAI-PAN (1986), CRY FREEDOM (1987, also co-producer), CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS: THE DISCOVERY (1992) and MOLOKAI: THE STORY OF FATHER DAMIEN (1999, also assoc. producer).  Writing (Best Screenplay written directly for the screen) 1982: GANDHI 1 nomination, 1 Award