---
name: "Robert Elswit"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/robert-elswit"
fi1m_id: "robert-elswit"
imdb_id: "nm0005696"
tmdb_id: 2950
wikidata_id: "Q279100"
roles: ["Cinematographer"]
born: "22 April 1950"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 23
average_fi1m_score: 75
average_over: 23
updated: "2026-10-23T04:11:36.591620+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."
---

# Robert Elswit

## Identity

Robert Elswit

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/robert-elswit
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** robert-elswit
- **IMDb ID:** nm0005696
- **TMDB ID:** 2950
- **Wikidata ID:** Q279100
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Elswit, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q279100, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005696/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2950

Cinematographer. Born 22 April 1950 in California, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Cinematographer
- **Born:** 22 April 1950, California, USA
- **Active:** 1979–present
- **Frequently works with:** [Paul Thomas Anderson](https://film.one/person/paul-thomas-anderson.md), [George Clooney](https://film.one/person/george-clooney.md), [Jeremy Renner](https://film.one/person/jeremy-renner.md), [JoAnne Sellar](https://film.one/person/joanne-sellar.md), [Ben Affleck](https://film.one/person/ben-affleck.md), [Daniel Lupi](https://film.one/person/daniel-lupi.md), [Jennifer Fox](https://film.one/person/jennifer-fox.md), [Tom Cruise](https://film.one/person/tom-cruise.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar (1 won · 1 nominated)
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 64 (1), 1980s 86 (3), 1990s 78 (3), 2000s 74 (6), 2010s 76 (7), 2020s 65 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 75 to 70 across 23 titles
- **Score spread:** 12 at 80+, 8 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Genres:** Drama 15, Adventure 7, Thriller 7, Action 6, Crime 5, Comedy 4
- **Screen time:** 45 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $4,914m across 21 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Elswit, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q279100, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005696/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2950

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*Magnolia*](https://film.one/film/magnolia.md) (84), [*The Night Of*](https://film.one/tv/the-night-of.md) (81), [*The Town*](https://film.one/film/the-town.md) (77)
- **Netflix:** [*Nightcrawler*](https://film.one/film/nightcrawler.md) (85), [*RIPLEY*](https://film.one/tv/ripley.md) (80)
- **Paramount+:** [*Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol*](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol.md) (82), [*Bob Marley: One Love*](https://film.one/film/bob-marley-one-love.md) (48)
- **Apple TV:** [*Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation*](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-rogue-nation.md) (76), [*The Bourne Legacy*](https://film.one/film/the-bourne-legacy.md) (54)
- **Hulu:** [*There Will Be Blood*](https://film.one/film/there-will-be-blood.md) (88)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Punch-Drunk Love*](https://film.one/film/punch-drunk-love.md) (84)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Syriana*](https://film.one/film/syriana.md) (72)

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

## Biography

Robert Elswit is an American cinematographer. Born on 22 April 1950 in Los Angeles, he studied at the University of California, Los Angeles, the University of Southern California and the American Film Institute.

He is known for his long collaboration with director Paul Thomas Anderson, shooting *Hard Eight* (1996), *Boogie Nights* (1997), *Magnolia* (1999), *Punch-Drunk Love* (2002) and *There Will Be Blood* (2007). Elswit won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for the last of these. He has also worked repeatedly with directors Tony and Dan Gilroy.

His other credits include *Good Night, and Good Luck* (2005), the *Mission: Impossible* films *Ghost Protocol* (2011) and *Rogue Nation* (2015), *Nightcrawler* (2014) and *Bob Marley: One Love* (2024).

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, oak1.the-numbers.com.*

## On Fi1m (23)

- *Bob Marley: One Love* (2024), Fi1m 48, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/bob-marley-one-love.md)
- *RIPLEY* (2024), Fi1m 80, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/tv/ripley.md)
- *King Richard* (2021), Fi1m 68, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/king-richard.md)
- *The Night Of* (2016), Fi1m 81, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-night-of.md)
- *Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation* (2015), Fi1m 76, Cinematography, Director of Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-rogue-nation.md)
- *Inherent Vice* (2014), Fi1m 78, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/inherent-vice.md)
- *Nightcrawler* (2014), Fi1m 85, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/nightcrawler.md)
- *The Bourne Legacy* (2012), Fi1m 54, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/the-bourne-legacy.md)
- *Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol* (2011), Fi1m 82, Cinematography, Director of Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol.md)
- *The Town* (2010), Fi1m 77, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/the-town.md)
- *Michael Clayton* (2007), Fi1m 86, Cinematography, Director of Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/michael-clayton.md)
- *There Will Be Blood* (2007), Fi1m 88, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/there-will-be-blood.md)
- *Good Night, and Good Luck.* (2005), Fi1m 83, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/good-night-and-good-luck.md)
- *Syriana* (2005), Fi1m 72, Cinematography, Director of Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/syriana.md)
- *Gigli* (2003), Fi1m 32, Cinematography, Director of Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/gigli.md)
- *Punch-Drunk Love* (2002), Fi1m 84, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/punch-drunk-love.md)
- *Magnolia* (1999), Fi1m 84, Cinematography, Director of Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/magnolia.md)
- *Boogie Nights* (1997), Fi1m 86, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/boogie-nights.md)
- *Tomorrow Never Dies* (1997), Fi1m 64, Cinematography, Director of Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/tomorrow-never-dies.md)
- *Return of the Jedi* (1983), Fi1m 75, Visual Effects Camera — [page](https://film.one/film/return-of-the-jedi.md)
- *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* (1982), Fi1m 91, Visual Effects Camera — [page](https://film.one/film/e-t-the-extra-terrestrial.md)
- *The Empire Strikes Back* (1980), Fi1m 92, Visual Effects Lineup — [page](https://film.one/film/the-empire-strikes-back.md)
- *Star Trek: The Motion Picture* (1979), Fi1m 64, Visual Effects Camera — [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-the-motion-picture.md)

## Complete filmography (90)

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

- *Animals* (2026), Director of Photography — coming soon, [page](https://film.one/film/animals.md)
- *The Punisher: One Last Kill* (2026), Director of Photography
- *Ella McCay* (2025), Director of Photography
- *RIPLEY* (2024), series, Director of Photography — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/ripley.md)
- *Bob Marley: One Love* (2024), Director of Photography — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/bob-marley-one-love.md)
- *King Richard* (2021), Director of Photography — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/king-richard.md)
- *The King of Staten Island* (2020), Director of Photography
- *Velvet Buzzsaw* (2019), Director of Photography
- *Skyscraper* (2018), Director of Photography
- *Write When You Get Work* (2018), Director of Photography
- *Roman J. Israel, Esq.* (2017), Director of Photography
- *Suburbicon* (2017), Director of Photography
- *The Night Of* (2016), series, Director of Photography — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-night-of.md)
- *Gold* (2016), Director of Photography
- *The Diary of a Teenage Girl* (2015), Thanks
- *Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation* (2015), Director of Photography — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-rogue-nation.md)
- *Inherent Vice* (2014), Director of Photography — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/inherent-vice.md)
- *Nightcrawler* (2014), Director of Photography — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/nightcrawler.md)
- *The Bourne Legacy* (2012), Director of Photography — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/the-bourne-legacy.md)
- *Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol* (2011), Director of Photography — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol.md)
- *The Town* (2010), Director of Photography — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/the-town.md)
- *Salt* (2010), Director of Photography
- *The Men Who Stare at Goats* (2009), Director of Photography
- *Duplicity* (2009), Director of Photography
- *The Burning Plain* (2008), Director of Photography
- *Redbelt* (2008), Director of Photography
- *Shine a Light* (2008), Camera Operator, Director of Photography
- *There Will Be Blood* (2007), Director of Photography — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/there-will-be-blood.md)
- *Michael Clayton* (2007), Director of Photography — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/michael-clayton.md)
- *American Dreamz* (2006), Director of Photography
- *Syriana* (2005), Director of Photography — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/syriana.md)
- *Good Night, and Good Luck.* (2005), Director of Photography — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/good-night-and-good-luck.md)
- *Runaway Jury* (2003), Director of Photography
- *Gigli* (2003), Director of Photography — Fi1m 32, [page](https://film.one/film/gigli.md)
- *Behind the Red Door* (2003), Director of Photography
- *Punch-Drunk Love* (2002), Director of Photography — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/punch-drunk-love.md)
- *Impostor* (2001), Director of Photography
- *Heist* (2001), Director of Photography
- *Bounce* (2000), Director of Photography
- *Magnolia* (1999), Director of Photography — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/magnolia.md)
- *8MM* (1999), Director of Photography
- *Richard Lester!* (1998), Director of Photography
- *Tomorrow Never Dies* (1997), Director of Photography — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/tomorrow-never-dies.md)
- *Boogie Nights* (1997), Director of Photography — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/boogie-nights.md)
- *Prince Street* (1997), series, Director of Photography
- *Hard Eight* (1997), Director of Photography
- *Boys* (1996), Director of Photography
- *The Pallbearer* (1996), Director of Photography
- *The River Wild* (1994), Director of Photography
- *A Dangerous Woman* (1993), Director of Photography
- *A Murderous Affair: The Carolyn Warmus Story* (1992), Director of Photography
- *Waterland* (1992), Director of Photography
- *Human Target* (1992), series, Director of Photography
- *The Hand That Rocks the Cradle* (1992), Director of Photography
- *Paris Trout* (1991), Director of Photography
- *The Summer My Father Grew Up* (1991), Director of Photography
- *Prison Stories: Women on the Inside* (1991), Director of Photography
- *Opposites Attract* (1990), Director of Photography
- *A Killing in a Small Town* (1990), Director of Photography
- *Bad Influence* (1990), Director of Photography
- *Heart of Dixie* (1989), Director of Photography
- *How I Got Into College* (1989), Director of Photography
- *Margaret Bourke-White* (1989), Director of Photography
- *Dream Street* (1989), series, Director of Photography
- *Return of the Living Dead Part II* (1988), Director of Photography
- *Cadillac Dreams* (1988), Director of Photography
- *Into the Homeland* (1987), Director of Photography
- *Long Gone* (1987), Director of Photography
- *Amazing Grace and Chuck* (1987), Director of Photography
- *A Different Affair* (1987), Director of Photography
- *Trick or Treat* (1986), Director of Photography
- *The Children of Times Square* (1986), Director of Photography
- *Desert Hearts* (1985), Director of Photography
- *Moving Violations* (1985), Director of Photography
- *The Sure Thing* (1985), Director of Photography
- *Tiger Town* (1984), Director of Photography
- *CBS Schoolbreak Special* (1984), series, Director of Photography
- *Summerspell* (1983), Director of Photography
- *Return of the Jedi* (1983), Visual Effects Camera — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/return-of-the-jedi.md)
- *Waltz Across Texas* (1982), Director of Photography
- *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* (1982), Visual Effects Camera — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/e-t-the-extra-terrestrial.md)
- *All Summer in a Day* (1982), Director of Photography
- *The End of August* (1981), Director of Photography
- *The Empire Strikes Back* (1980), Visual Effects Lineup — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/the-empire-strikes-back.md)
- *Star Trek: The Motion Picture* (1979), Visual Effects Camera — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-the-motion-picture.md)
- *CBS Library* (1979), series, Director of Photography
- *Genesis: Four Billion Years in the Making* (1978), Assistant Camera
- *Fraternity Row* (1977), Camera Operator
- *Faster, Cheaper, Better*, Director of Photography
- *The Boys from Brazil*, series, Director of Photography

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 1 won, 1 nominated

- 2008: Best Cinematography (won), for *There Will Be Blood*
- 2006: Best Cinematography (nominated), for *Good Night, and Good Luck.*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© 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/robert-elswit