Barmy Burton

Director extrordinaire Tim Burton is famed for his darkly quirky works, including Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas among others. He's also received acclaim for his slightly more conventional blockbusters, including his take on Batman. With his film remake of the classic novel Alice in Wonderland hitting cinemas in this week, we take a look at career of one of the most popular and individual directors of modern times.


Timothy Walter Burton was born in 1958 and as a child enjoyed making short films with stop-motion animation techniques. He attended the California Institute of Arts and later found work in the concept art department at Disney Studios.

1982 - Burton made his first short, Vincent named after and narrated by his hero Vincent Price.

1985 - Pee-wee's Big Adventure was Burton's first wide release film. It was made on a budget of $7 million and grossed $40 million at the box office, proving that he was commerically viable director. The score was written by Danny Elfman and since then Elfman has provided the music for all of Burton's films bar two. (Ed Wood and Sweeney Todd)

1988 - Supernatural comedy horror Beetlejuice was Burton's next triumph which has since become a cult classic.

1989 - His ability to produce hits on relatively low budgets impressed studio executives and he was chosen to direct big-budget film Batman. Despite casting worries throughout production, the film was a huge success (making $400 million at the box office) and Burton became established as a major director.

1990 - Edward Scissorhands was released - the first of his seven collaborations with Depp which also starred his hero Vincent Price.

1993 -The Nightmare Before Christmas was released and quickly became a favourite of Burton's works.


1999 - One of Burton's most popular titles Sleepy Hollow was released starring Johnny Depp.

2006 - Burton directs The Killers' video for their hit Bones in his trademark gothic style.

2008 - Burton was nominated for the Best Director Oscar for Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

2010 - Alice In Wonderland which features Depp as the Mad Hatter & Bonham-Carter as the Red Queen opens in cinemas this Friday available to watch in 3D.

Thirty9steps will be reviewing it shortly!