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John Grover, editor on six James Bond films, dies at 87

British film editor John Grover, who worked on six James Bond films and on 2001: A Space Odyssey, died on 28 September aged 87. The Hollywood Reporter stresses his anecdotes about Stanley Kubrick; Deadline gives a concise credits list.

2 outlets · 1L · 1C · 0R First reported Account updated
Image: The Hollywood Reporter
Image: Deadline

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The story, neutrally told

John Grover, an English film editor, died on 28 September at the age of 87. British Film Editors, where he was a longtime board member, confirmed the news on social media, and Deadline said no cause of death was given. The Hollywood Reporter, citing his son, said he died after a short illness; it also said he had received the organisation's Lifetime Achievement Award in April.

Grover was film editor on For Your Eyes Only (1981), The Living Daylights (1987) and Licence to Kill (1989), and helped cut The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979) and Octopussy (1983). His other credits include The Wild Geese, The Sea Wolves, The Final Option, Lifeforce and Jim Henson's Labyrinth, which Hollywood Reporter says he named as his favourite. He began as an uncredited assistant editor on films including The Haunting, Doctor Zhivago, Grand Prix, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Goodbye, Mr. Chips.

He was born on 24 October 1938 in Barnet, Middlesex; his final film was the 2005 Lithuanian drama Dievu miskas. Hollywood Reporter recounts that Grover said he spent six months on 2001 doing the heavy breathing heard in the film, while author Michael Benson wrote that Kubrick was recorded; the editors' guild said both were recorded and Grover's was thought to be the one used. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jenny, a son, Tim, a daughter, Camilla, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left1 outlet

Framing
A long obituary built around Grover's own anecdotes, especially his blunt recollections of working with Kubrick and Lean and the Bond productions.
Emphasis
Quotes from conference talks and interviews, the 2001 breathing story, Moonraker and The Living Daylights leak anecdotes.
Leaves out or plays down
Omits his later TV work, final film and surviving family members.
Charged language
“idiot”“a load of rubbish”
For example
““I spent six months of my life with that idiot,” Grover said.” — The Hollywood Reporter

Centre1 outlet

Framing
A short, factual obit listing credits and survivors.
Emphasis
Film and TV credits, confirmation by British Film Editors, family survivors.
Leaves out or plays down
Leaves out Grover's anecdotes, his lifetime achievement award and his son's account of a short illness.
For example
“Survivors include Grover’s wife of 62 years, Jenny; a son, Tim; a daughter, Camilla” — Deadline

Right0 outlets

No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.