10 Directors Who Took Insane Breaks Between Movies

Sir David Lean's work in film has been hailed by critics and audiences alike with numerous epics listed on his resume including The Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, and Doctor Zhivago. When he released Ryan's Daughter in 1970, his career stalled for a 14-year break before he returned to film A Passage to India in 1984.

There are numerous stories as to why he stopped making films for as long as he did, but one of the most pervasive has to do with the critical reception Ryan's Daughter received. It was decried by critics, and it's believed that Lean took the critique so personally, he vowed never to direct a film again.

That story may be more fiction than reality, but the truth remains something of a mystery. In all likelihood, he may have been stalled by the same thing that halts moviemaking for a lot of directors: production delays and financing.

When he eventually did come back to make A Passage to India, the production of that film was stalled through numerous problems. Ultimately, the movie came out and redeemed the talented director's reputation with a film that garnered 11 Academy Award nominations from which it received two wins. The film closed out his impressive career, and the director passed away seven years after it was released.