Robin Wood, a one-time English teacher who became a prominent film critic, has passed away at age 78. The native born Brit who spent much of his life in Canada, is credited for being one of the first writers to argue the brilliance of Alfred Hitchcock's work during an era in which mainstream critics largely regarded him as simply an entertainer who created fun, but gimmicky thrillers. Wood's 1965 book
Hitchcock's Films was long regarded as the first serious analysis of the director's work. He went on to write major works about the films of Arthur Penn, Ingmar Bergman and Howard Hawks. In his personal life, Wood initially lived as a straight man and fathered several children. In the 1970s, he came out of the closet and his work reflected his dedication to gay rights and left-wing political causes. Wood once said that the primary reason for writing about film was as a tool for advancing social justice. For more
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