Douglas Hickox (10 January 1929 – 25 July 1988) was an English film director. Hickox was born in London, where he was educated at Emanuel School. Hickox worked extensively as an assistant director and second unit director throughout the 1950s and early 1960s. ‘’The British B Film’’ (Steve Chibnall & Brian McFarlane; BFI, 2009) credits him with working on over thirty musical shorts and a handful of jazz/pop supporting featurettes. He made his first major picture in 1970. Over the next ten years, he developed a reputation for the wit and style of his direction, and for his taut action sequences. His work includes Les Bicyclettes de Belsize (1968), Entertaining Mr Sloane (1969), Sitting Target (1972), Theatre of Blood (1973), Brannigan (1975), Sky Riders (1976) and Zulu Dawn (1979). He worked on various TV programmes in the 1980s until his death. He died in a London hospital following a heart surgery operation at age 59. Douglas Hickox was married to Anne V. Coates, the Oscar-winning editor of Lawrence of Arabia. After his death, his second wife Annabel approached the Raindance Film Festival with an annual bequest from Douglas’ estate. This bequest led directly to the creation of the British Independent Film Awards. In recognition of Douglas’s commitment and support for new talent, BIFA inaugurated the Douglas Hickox Award, which is given to a British director on their debut feature.

Douglas had two sons, Anthony Hickox (b. 1959) also a director, and James D.R. Hickox (b. 1965) and two daughters, one with Coates, and one with 2nd wife Annabel. Emma Hickox (b. 1964), is a successful film editor. Anthony Hickox is known for Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992), whilst he was Executive Producer on Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest (1995) directed by his brother James D.R. Hickox. Emma E. Hickox’s resume includes The Brylcreem Boys, Kinky Boots, The Jacket, The Boat that Rocked, Blue Crush, Rock of Ages and A Walk to Remember. Douglas Hickox was buried in Putney Vale Cemetery, London.