Peter Macdonald BSC was born in North-West London in June 1939 and left school at 15. He began his career in the film industry as a clapper boy at Southall Studios, having previously worked for an Australian newspaper. He soon progressed through the camera department, working with cinematographer Geoffrey Faithfull and later establishing a long and influential working relationship with Geoffrey Unsworth BSC.
Macdonald worked with Unsworth for many years, progressing from focus puller to camera operator. Their collaborations included Cabaret (1972), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), The Return of the Pink Panther (1975), Superman (1978), Superman II (1980) and A Bridge Too Far (1977). He also worked with directors including Bob Fosse, Sidney Lumet and Richard Attenborough.
His experience as an operator led him into second-unit direction and cinematography. He directed his first second unit on Zulu Dawn (1979), subsequently working in that capacity on major productions including The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Excalibur (1981), Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), Labyrinth (1986), Cry Freedom (1987), Batman (1989), Tango & Cash (1989), The Quest (1996), Batman & Robin (1997) and several of the Harry Potter films.
Macdonald also worked as a Director of Photography, photographing Solarbabies (1986), Hamburger Hill (1987) and Shag (1989). Hamburger Hill, shot in the Philippines, was particularly significant, with the production's recreation of the Vietnam War requiring a deliberately realistic visual approach.
His career took a major turn during the production of Rambo III (1988). Having originally travelled to Israel to direct the second unit, Macdonald was asked to take over the main unit after the departure of director Russell Mulcahy, with Sylvester Stallone supporting his appointment. The experience led to a subsequent career as a feature-film director.
As a director, his credits include Rambo III, The NeverEnding Story III, Legionnaire, The Monkey King (also known as The Lost Empire), Supply & Demand and episodes of The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. He also worked as a producer and co-producer on productions including Tango & Cash, The Quest, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Macdonald's later career continued to combine directing with second-unit work on major international productions. His second-unit credits included The Bourne Ultimatum, Eragon, The Golden Compass, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Jack the Giant Slayer and Guardians of the Galaxy.