DE: What camera did you work on in the early days?

FF: It was a Debrie Super Parvo. After that, one went on to the Mitchell, which was really the only camera.

DE: Where in the world have you been on location and what part did you enjoy working in the most?

FF: I didn’t mind where I worked. I have been to most places around the world but when I was filming that was all I was interested in – I didn’t care where we were, it was the job I enjoyed.

DE: What was it like working on the Hammer movies – it was only a small studio, wasn’t it?

FF: Yes, but it was a self-contained studio. They made so many horror films that they knew how to go ahead in that genre. I don’t know what they would have been like making anything else but as far as horror films go, they were bang on the ball.

DE: How long did it take to shoot the Hammer films?

They were usually around six weeks.

DE: Was that shooting six days a week?

FF: No, five a week usually, working from 8am until 6pm. It was only on  rare occasions that we worked overtime.

DE: You worked with Jack Clayton on Room at the Top – How long did it take to shoot?

FF: I would say that the shooting period was eight weeks. I was officially on it a couple of weeks before the shoot. Jack was a very good friend of mine and I would sometimes sit in the cutting room with him, watching him edit it.

DE: Did you get on with most of the directors when you were a cameraman and did you have any favourites?

FF: I enjoyed working with most of them. I suppose if one says “Who is your favourite?”, it was Robert Mulligan, the American. I enjoyed working with him very much and we became very dear friends.

DE: Which film did you enjoy working on the most?

FF: Everyone. I just loved making movies. I suppose it is because I can’t do anything else. I had a wonderful time doing it and enjoyed every moment.

Freddie Francis interviewed by David A Ellis in 2005.