Peter Watkins started his professional journey in the advertising world as an assistant producer before transitioning to amateur filmmaking in the late 1950s. As his passion for filmmaking grew, he was commissioned by BBC-TV in the mid-1960s to create two feature-length docudramas that incorporated a unique newsreel style and non-professional actors.
The second of these docudramas, The War Game, released in 1966, graphically portrayed the horrific consequences of nuclear war and was subsequently banned from broadcast due to its graphic content. Despite this, the film earned a prestigious Academy Award for Best Documentary in 1966.
Watkins experienced moderate success with his commercial feature film Privilege, released in 1967, but has since primarily focused on creating documentaries. He has worked in various Scandinavian countries, drawing inspiration from the region's culture and landscape.
One of his most notable recent films, Resan, is an epic 14-hour documentary that explores pressing global issues such as the arms race and global hunger. Released in 1987, this monumental work showcases Watkins' dedication to creating thought-provoking and impactful documentaries.
