Eric Ambler on AllMovie

Eric Ambler is a novelist and screenwriter who during his almost 20-year career penned many feature films; several of his books have also been adapted into movies. Before becoming a novelist, Ambler attended the University of London, worked as an engineer, a stage actor, and an advertising copywriter. Prior to becoming a script consultant for renowned director Alexander Korda in 1938, he had written four novels. Two years later he joined the British Army as a private working in different areas of military filmmaking, including working with a combat unit in Italy, and as an assistant director of army cinematography in the British War Office where he headed the production of all educational and morale films until he was discharged as a lieutenant colonel. He then became a screenwriter for the Rank Organisation. As a writer of suspense thrillers, Ambler was influential for creating anti-heroes who moved about in dark, gritty environments. In addition to his own work, he has also collaborated with Charles Rodda under the pen name Eliot Reed. His script for The Cruel Sea (1953) was nominated for an Academy Award.