bfi pays tribute to film critic and broadcaster Alexander Walker

The British Film Institute today paid tribute to former bfi governor Alexander Walker whose death was announced this morning.

bfi Chairman Anthony Minghella said: "Alexander Walker's contribution to the appreciation and understanding of British film was unique.

"He was passionate about film and that love affair with cinema was clear in everything he wrote.

"He was much more than a film critic. He was a champion for quality cinema in this country. As a broadcaster, commentator and film historian he had no equal. He was a good friend and sometime critic of the bfi. As a former governor he had strong views about the future of film and the work of the Institute. It is to his credit that he never shied away from expressing his views which were always informed."

He added: "The London film world and British cinema are a smaller and less colourful place without him."

bfi Director Amanda Nevill added: " I am sure I speak for everyone at the bfi when I say we are saddened that we have lost such a substantial figure in the cinema world.

"He was film."

She added: "Part of the landscape of film culture has gone with his passing and British cinema is the poorer as a result.

"His association with the British Film Institute goes back a long way. He was a former member governor of the bfi and was never shy to express his views about the organisation and its direction. Throughout, he was a tenacious, determined and vocal advocate for film in this country and although not always a fan, was a supporter of the work of the British Film Institute.

"He was passionate about the movies and had an unrivalled knowledge of Hollywood and the classic years of British and American cinema.

"This is a loss not only to British newspapers and film criticism but to everyone who loves film in this country."

In 'Dietrich' by Malene Sheppard Skaerved (Haus Publishing, 2003) it notes that Marlene hated biographers and covered her edition of Walker's book 'Dietrich' (Harper & Row, 1984) with scribbled notes. She accuses him of lying and writes on one page 'Rot, Rot. Bullshit, double Bullshit.' So he obviously made an impact with her!