Ben Smithard

Cinematographer USA 1991–2025 (34 year career)

6.8 avg rating

Biography

Ben Smithard, B.S.C., is a British cinematographer known for his work on period pieces, such as the films The Damned United (2009), My Week with Marilyn (2011), Goodbye Christopher Robin, The Man Who Invented Christmas (both 2017), Blinded by the Light and Downton Abbey (both 2019). In television, Smithard served as cinematographer on the 2007 BBC One series Cranford (2007). He returned for the subsequent series, Return to Cranford, in 2009, for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstandi…

Known For

Film

The Father

Camera Operator

Film

Saving Mr. Banks

Additional Director of Photography

Film

The Nevers

Director of Photography

Film

Downton Abbey

"A" Camera Operator

Film

My Week with Marilyn

"A" Camera Operator

Film

Goodbye Christopher Robin

"A" Camera Operator

Film

The Damned United

Director of Photography

Film

Belle

Director of Photography

Filmography

Crew (58)

Movies (41)

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

2025

Director of Photography

Lonely Planet

"A" Camera Operator

Lonely Planet

Director of Photography

6.1

Freud's Last Session

2023

Director of Photography

6.6

Allelujah

2023

Director of Photography

5.2

The Son

2022

Director of Photography

6.7

The Bubble

2022

Director of Photography

The Father

Camera Operator

The Father

Director of Photography

Downton Abbey

"A" Camera Operator

Downton Abbey

Director of Photography

Blinded by the Light

"A" Camera Operator

Blinded by the Light

Director of Photography

6.9

King Lear

2018

Director of Photography

6.1

Goodbye Christopher Robin

2017

"A" Camera Operator

7.0

Goodbye Christopher Robin

2017

Director of Photography

7.0

Diana and I

2017

Director of Photography

7.5

The Man Who Invented Christmas

2017

"A" Camera Operator

6.8

The Man Who Invented Christmas

2017

Director of Photography

Viceroy's House

"A" Camera Operator

Viceroy's House

Director of Photography

6.6

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

2015

"A" Camera Operator

6.4

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

2015

Director of Photography

6.4

Roald Dahl's Esio Trot

2015

Director of Photography

The Dresser

"A" Camera Operator

The Dresser

Director of Photography

6.2

Belle

2013

Director of Photography

7.1

Saving Mr. Banks

2013

Additional Director of Photography

7.3

Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa

2013

Director of Photography

6.6

I, Anna

2012

Director of Photography

My Week with Marilyn

"A" Camera Operator

My Week with Marilyn

Director of Photography

6.7

The Trip

2011

Director of Photography

6.7

A Short Stay in Switzerland

2009

Director of Photography

6.9

The Damned United

2009

Director of Photography

7.2

Freefall

2009

Director of Photography

Glastonbury

Camera Operator

Glastonbury

Director of Photography

5.4

Jean

2000

Director of Photography

Bunker

"A" Camera Operator

Bunker

Director of Photography

Television (17)

The Nevers

2021

Director of Photography

7.9

The Hollow Crown

2012

Director of Photography

7.4

True Love

2012

Director of Photography

7.0

The Trip

2010

Director of Photography

7.4

Money

2010

Director of Photography

4.5

The Day of the Triffids

2009

Director of Photography

5.9

10 Minute Tales

2009

Director of Photography

7.5

Cranford

2007

Director of Photography

8.2

The Street

2006

Director of Photography

7.7

Eleventh Hour

2006

Director of Photography

6.1

Vincent

2005

Director of Photography

7.0

Spooks

2002

Director of Photography

7.7

Wire in the Blood

2002

Director of Photography

7.8

Cold Feet

1998

Director of Photography

7.6

The Royle Family

1998

Director of Photography

7.6

The Stranger

1991

Assistant Camera

VisionQuest

Director of Photography