---
name: "Martin Campbell"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/martin-campbell"
fi1m_id: "martin-campbell"
imdb_id: "nm0132709"
tmdb_id: 10702
wikidata_id: "Q282033"
roles: ["Director"]
born: "24 October 1943"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 73
average_as: "director"
average_over: 7
updated: "2026-10-07T10:36:53.049937+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Martin Campbell

## Identity

Martin Campbell

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/martin-campbell
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** martin-campbell
- **IMDb ID:** nm0132709
- **TMDB ID:** 10702
- **Wikidata ID:** Q282033
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Campbell, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q282033, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0132709/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10702

Director. Born 24 October 1943 in Hastings, New Zealand.

## Details

- **Work:** Director
- **Born:** 24 October 1943, Hastings, New Zealand
- **Active:** 1979–present
- **Frequently works with:** [Andrew Payne](https://film.one/person/andrew-payne.md), [Barbara Broccoli](https://film.one/person/barbara-broccoli.md), [Baz Taylor](https://film.one/person/baz-taylor.md), [Ben Bolt](https://film.one/person/ben-bolt.md), [Bill Craig](https://film.one/person/bill-craig.md), [Bob Baker](https://film.one/person/bob-baker.md), [Chris Boucher](https://film.one/person/chris-boucher.md), [Christopher King](https://film.one/person/christopher-king.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 73, as director, over 7 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 78 (1), 1980s 88 (1), 1990s 84 (2), 2000s 72 (2), 2020s 31 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 78 to 73 across 4 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Genres:** Crime 4, Thriller 4, Action 3, Adventure 3, Drama 3, Action & Adventure 1
- **Screen time:** 8 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,167m across 3 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Campbell, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q282033, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0132709/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10702

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Vertical Limit*](https://film.one/film/vertical-limit.md) (58)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Martin Campbell

> Martin Campbell knows how to restart an action franchise, but we rate him most highly for the patience of *Edge of Darkness*. His willingness to give an actor time makes a complicated thriller worth staying with.

In *Edge of Darkness* (1985), Bob Peck makes Ronald Craven's effort to stay composed look exhausting. Campbell gives him time, even as the six-part thriller's nuclear concerns threaten to overwhelm the individual at its centre. We were moved by that effort; Peck makes the danger personal before the story has explained all its implications. Campbell lets us care about Craven before we have understood everything happening around him.

Troy Kennedy Martin's writing sometimes makes the story harder to follow than it needs to be, and Campbell cannot remove that difficulty. What he can do is keep the performances worth attending to while we find our way. Cinematographer Andrew Dunn stays attentive to Peck's unease, while Graeme Thomson's production design never makes the surroundings more interesting than the people. The restraint works because Peck gives us enough to watch without any decorative assistance. The series has the seriousness its subject needs, without making concern for one man seem a distraction.

His British television work through the 1980s led to features including *Criminal Law* (1988) and *No Escape* (1994). *GoldenEye* (1995) introduced Pierce Brosnan's Bond, and *The Mask of Zorro* (1998) followed, with Antonio Banderas. He returned to Bond for *Casino Royale* (2006), introducing Daniel Craig in a darker, more grounded film. Those two Bond launches make a persuasive case for his ability to give familiar material a fresh start. We would still put his handling of Peck ahead of that practical achievement.

The mismatched tone of *Green Lantern* (2011) is a useful caution against assuming that his action skills will suit every sort of spectacle. He continued with action-thrillers including *The Foreigner* (2017), starring Jackie Chan, *Memory* (2022) and *Cleaner* (2025). We would follow him into the genre again, without treating his name as a guarantee. Start with *Edge of Darkness*, and accept that the writing occasionally asks for more patience than it should.

## Biography

Martin Campbell (born 24 October 1943) is a New Zealand film and television director, long based in the United Kingdom. He began his career in London as a cameraman before moving into directing, with early television credits including episodes of *The Professionals*, *Minder* and *Shoestring*.

Campbell is best known for directing the BBC drama serial *Edge of Darkness* (1985), for which he won a BAFTA award, and for revitalising the James Bond franchise with *GoldenEye* (1995) and *Casino Royale* (2006). His other feature films include *The Mask of Zorro* (1998), *The Legend of Zorro* (2005), *Vertical Limit* (2000) and *The Foreigner* (2017).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, screenonline.org.uk.*

## On Fi1m (7)

- *Just Play Dead* (2026), Fi1m 31, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/just-play-dead.md)
- *Casino Royale* (2006), Fi1m 86, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/casino-royale.md)
- *Vertical Limit* (2000), Fi1m 58, Producer, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/vertical-limit.md)
- *GoldenEye* (1995), Fi1m 78, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/goldeneye.md)
- *Homicide: Life on the Street* (1993), Fi1m 89, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/homicide-life-on-the-street.md)
- *Edge of Darkness* (1985), Fi1m 88, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/edge-of-darkness.md)
- *Minder* (1979), Fi1m 78, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/minder.md)

## Complete filmography (47)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Just Play Dead* (2026), Director — Fi1m 31, [page](https://film.one/film/just-play-dead.md)
- *Memory of a Killer* (2026), series, Executive Producer
- *Cleaner* (2025), Director
- *Dirty Angels* (2024), Director, Story
- *Memory* (2022), Director
- *The Protégé* (2021), Director
- *The Foreigner* (2017), Director
- *Last Resort* (2012), series, Director
- *Green Lantern* (2011), Director
- *Edge of Darkness* (2010), Director
- *James Bond in the Bahamas* (2008), Actor
- *Ian Fleming's Incredible Creation* (2008), Actor
- *The Road to Casino Royale* (2008), Actor
- *07 Spaceys* (2007), Actor
- *Casino Royale* (2006), as Airport Worker (uncredited) · Director — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/casino-royale.md)
- *The Return of Bond: The Start of Production Press Event* (2006), Actor
- *Directing Bond: The Martin Chronicles* (2006), Actor
- *Anatomy of a Stunt: Tank vs. Perrier* (2006), Actor
- *Building a Better Bond* (2006), Actor
- *Derek Meddings: Making It Small in Pictures* (2006), Actor
- *The Legend of Zorro* (2005), Director
- *Beyond Borders* (2003), Director
- *10-8: Officers on Duty* (2003), series, Director
- *Vertical Limit* (2000), Director, Producer — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/vertical-limit.md)
- *The Mask of Zorro* (1998), Director
- *GoldenEye* (1995), Director — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/goldeneye.md)
- *No Escape* (1994), Director
- *Homicide: Life on the Street* (1993), series, Director — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/tv/homicide-life-on-the-street.md)
- *Cast a Deadly Spell* (1991), Director
- *Defenseless* (1991), Director
- *Criminal Law* (1989), Director
- *Frankie and Johnnie* (1986), Director
- *Edge of Darkness* (1985), series, Director — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/edge-of-darkness.md)
- *Screen Two* (1985), series, Director
- *Charlie* (1984), series, Director
- *Reilly: Ace of Spies* (1983), series, Director
- *Muck and Brass* (1982), series, Director
- *Bergerac* (1981), series, Director
- *Minder* (1979), series, Director — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/minder.md)
- *Shoestring* (1979), series, Director
- *The Professionals* (1977), series, Director
- *Black Joy* (1977), Producer
- *Three for All* (1975), Director
- *Eskimo Nell* (1975), Director
- *The Sex Thief* (1973), Director
- *Dedication*, Director
- *Scotland's Highlands & Islands with Lewis Nunn*, Director

## Gallery

- ![Martin Campbell](https://film.one/media/person/60506/gallery-cdf2f11bed90.jpg) Martin Campbell — PopCultureGeek.com, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/Martin_Campbell.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![photo 2012 Pop Culture Geek taken by Doug Kline If you're interested in higher resolution versions of my images, contact me via my profile page.](https://film.one/media/person/60506/gallery-3353fd9c065d.jpg) photo 2012 Pop Culture Geek taken by Doug Kline If you're interested in higher resolution versions of my images, contact me via my profile page. — The Conmunity -  Pop Culture Geek from Los Angeles, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/04/CES_2012_-_Panasonic_James_Bond_film_50th_Anniversary_panel_with_directors_John_Glen%2C_Michael_Apted%2C_and_Martin_Campbell_%286764173817%29.jpg/1280px-CES_2012_-_Panasonic_James_Bond_film_50th_Anniversary_panel_with_directors_John_Glen%2C_Michael_Apted%2C_and_Martin_Campbell_%286764173817%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![photo 2012 Pop Culture Geek taken by Doug Kline If you're interested in higher resolution versions of my images, contact me via my profile page.](https://film.one/media/person/60506/gallery-dd2414046f7c.jpg) photo 2012 Pop Culture Geek taken by Doug Kline If you're interested in higher resolution versions of my images, contact me via my profile page. — The Conmunity -  Pop Culture Geek from Los Angeles, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/CES_2012_-_Panasonic_James_Bond_film_50th_Anniversary_panel_with_directors_John_Glen%2C_Michael_Apted%2C_and_Martin_Campbell_%286764173909%29.jpg/1280px-CES_2012_-_Panasonic_James_Bond_film_50th_Anniversary_panel_with_directors_John_Glen%2C_Michael_Apted%2C_and_Martin_Campbell_%286764173909%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![photo 2012 Pop Culture Geek taken by Doug Kline If you're interested in higher resolution versions of my images, contact me via my profile page.](https://film.one/media/person/60506/gallery-6ac9c8c49ac1.jpg) photo 2012 Pop Culture Geek taken by Doug Kline If you're interested in higher resolution versions of my images, contact me via my profile page. — The Conmunity -  Pop Culture Geek from Los Angeles, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/CES_2012_-_Panasonic_James_Bond_film_50th_Anniversary_panel_with_directors_John_Glen%2C_Michael_Apted%2C_and_Martin_Campbell_%286764174065%29.jpg/1280px-CES_2012_-_Panasonic_James_Bond_film_50th_Anniversary_panel_with_directors_John_Glen%2C_Michael_Apted%2C_and_Martin_Campbell_%286764174065%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Martin Campbell](https://film.one/media/person/60506/gallery-04c1a8ad6847.jpg) Martin Campbell — Image via TMDB
- ![Martin Campbell](https://film.one/media/person/60506/gallery-87ecb43eb491.jpg) Martin Campbell — Image via TMDB
- ![Martin Campbell](https://film.one/media/person/60506/gallery-77ee16910d36.jpg) Martin Campbell — Image via TMDB
- ![photo 2012 Pop Culture Geek taken by Doug Kline If you're interested in higher resolution versions of my images, contact me via my profile page.](https://film.one/media/person/60506/gallery-b63796964ee1.jpg) photo 2012 Pop Culture Geek taken by Doug Kline If you're interested in higher resolution versions of my images, contact me via my profile page. — The Conmunity -  Pop Culture Geek from Los Angeles, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a9/CES_2012_-_Panasonic_James_Bond_film_50th_Anniversary_panel_with_directors_John_Glen%2C_Michael_Apted%2C_and_Martin_Campbell_%286764174147%29.jpg/1280px-CES_2012_-_Panasonic_James_Bond_film_50th_Anniversary_panel_with_directors_John_Glen%2C_Michael_Apted%2C_and_Martin_Campbell_%286764174147%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Martin Campbell](https://film.one/media/person/60506/gallery-a22635621359.jpg) Martin Campbell — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/martin-campbell