Wolfgang Suschitzky BSC (29 August 1912 – 7 October 2016) was born in Vienna, Suschitzky originally intended to become a zoologist but instead studied photography at the Höhere Graphische Bundes-Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt in Vienna. He moved to London in 1935 and began working as a film cameraman for documentary filmmaker Paul Rotha, becoming closely associated with the British documentary movement.
During the late 1930s and 1940s, Suschitzky worked on documentaries, industrial films and government-sponsored productions. He was involved in the DATA (Documentary and Technicians' Alliance) film cooperative, founded in 1944, and photographed films dealing with subjects including industry, housing, hospitals and working life. His documentary background established the naturalistic location style that became an important characteristic of his later cinematography.
Suschitzky moved into feature-film cinematography during the 1950s. He photographed No Resting Place (1951) for Paul Rotha, one of the early British features to be shot extensively on location. Other early feature work included The Oracle (1953) and Cat & Mouse (1958). He also photographed Jack Clayton's Oscar-winning short The Bespoke Overcoat (1956).
During the 1960s, Suschitzky worked across a wide range of productions, including The Small World of Sammy Lee (1963), Ulysses (1967) and Vengeance of She (1968). His photographic approach remained strongly influenced by his documentary background, particularly his use of real locations and available environments.
His most recognised feature-film credit came with Get Carter (1971), directed by Mike Hodges and starring Michael Caine. Shot largely on location in the North East of England, the film made extensive use of naturalistic photography and real locations. Suschitzky's work contributed significantly to the film's stark and observational visual style.
Other notable cinematography credits included Ring of Bright Water (1969), Living Free (1972), Theatre of Blood (1973), Entertaining Mr. Sloane (1970) and the television series Worzel Gummidge (1979–81). His television and commercial work continued alongside feature films, demonstrating the breadth of his work as a freelance cinematographer.
Suschitzky was also an accomplished still photographer. Throughout his career he continued photographing people, animals, industry and everyday life, often working simultaneously as a still photographer and cinematographer. His documentary photographs of London during the 1930s and 1940s became an important part of his photographic legacy.
Wolfgang Suschitzky died in London on 7 October 2016, aged 104.