John Grover, a renowned film editor who had a major role in the James Bond franchise and the Oscar-winning film Grand Prix, has passed away at the age of 87.
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According to the official announcements, Grover died at his home in Buckinghamshire, England, on Sept. 28 after a short illness.
Grover is most remembered for working in editing roles on six Bond films — For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy, The Living Daylights, License to Kill, The Spy Who Loved Me, and Moonraker. However, he played a major role on 1966's Grand Prix after the American editor was fired in the first week.
"It was an extraordinarily complicated picture," he said during a discussion for British Film Editors. "For one thing, it was shot in (70 millimeter) — or 65 (millimeter). It was for a 70 (millimeter) presentation."
The hardest part, as he explained, was spending about six weeks in the labs while working with the negative film. He had to match shots while trying to show the colors of the cars. The original processing led to black and white prints of the race cars.
Grand Prix starred James Garner as American racer Pete Aron, who lost his job after a crash in Monaco injured his teammate. He then begins to drive for a rival team while starting a romance with his injured teammate's estranged wife.
The racing film won Oscars for Best Sound Effects (Gordon Daniel), Best Film Editing (Henry Berman), and Best Sound (Franklin Milton).
"John was a world-renowned editor, known for his work on many popular feature films throughout the 80's and 90's (James Bond franchise, Labyrinth, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and many more)," the British Film Editors account said in a statement.
"John was an active Board member for many years. He brought a lifetime of editing expertise to meetings; guiding and advising the Board when the organisation was growing and accepting television editors.
"He was a regular supporter of BFE in-person and online events. He became known to many of our members, engaging with them, and encouraging them.
"John's gentle and warm presence will be missed by all Board members. We extend our condolences to his family, and all those who knew him."
