Alexander Jacobs

Alexander Jacobs (1927 – 26 October 1979) was a British screenwriter known for his influential work in the action genre. Born in London, Jacobs began his career in the 1940s in the British film industry, focusing on publicity and distribution. He later transitioned to writing and directing for British TV and was a founding member of the Free Cinema Group, which played a significant role in launching the careers of filmmakers like Tony Richardson, Lindsay Anderson, and Karel Reisz. In the 1960s, Jacobs worked as an assistant to producer David Deutsch on the film Catch Us If You Can (1965), directed by John Boorman, where he became known for his valuable input on script changes. Jacobs, who had a square Jewish face and had previously competed as a professional cyclist, tragically passed away on 26 October 1979 at the age of 52.