Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” is an epic movie in each sense of the phrase, and it required the efforts of dozens of solid and crew members. As a consequence of the film’s prolonged runtime of 173 minutes, the top credit score roll of “The Odyssey” is double-sided and strikes at a fairly speedy clip. There’s one title that stands out specifically, nevertheless, getting a single card in the course of the roll that reads, “For our good friend, David Keighley.”
Now, Finish credit score tributes are extraordinarily widespread, but this one has a particular place past the standard. That is as a result of Keighley, who handed away in September 2025, was the Chief High quality Officer of the IMAX company for 15 years and was concerned with the premium massive format lengthy earlier than even that. In a really possible way, the brilliance, constancy, and uniqueness of IMAX is thanks largely to his efforts. He is why an IMAX ticket is commonly price the additional few {dollars} and why so many preeminent filmmakers (together with and particularly Nolan) make it a degree to shoot their motion pictures for IMAX particularly.
In the event you’ve ever stayed via your complete finish credit of a movie projected in IMAX, then you definately’re acquainted with Keighley’s work, even if you happen to aren’t conscious of it. Each IMAX launch ends with a message that reads, “High quality Counts,” and it explains how one can ship your feedback about your IMAX expertise to the Chief High quality Officer by way of e-mail. Apparently, Keighley would thoughtfully reply to each e-mail he acquired, which was simply one of many methods he sought to make IMAX particular. Given the truth that “The Odyssey” is the primary narrative movement image to ever be absolutely shot with IMAX cameras, it is becoming that Nolan dedicates the movie to Keighley’s reminiscence.
David Keighley reviewed each body of IMAX movie for The Odyssey
To be truthful, “Chief High quality Officer” feels like a made-up job {that a} CEO may give to a relative or associates to allow them to get a free journey. But, this wasn’t something near the case with David Keighley, who took the place critically. That is partially resulting from his lifelong curiosity in massive format filmmaking and exhibition, as he and his spouse Patricia have been captivated by an IMAX movie, “North of Superior,” in 1971. The next 12 months, the couple fashioned the post-production firm David Keighley Productions, which targeted on massive format work. After co-directing an IMAX movie of their very own (“Catch the Solar”), the Keighleys maintained a relationship with the corporate, with David personally approving each IMAX movie print that went via DKP’s labs. In 1988, DKP was formally introduced into the IMAX household, and Keighley working in-house is what helped result in IMAX increasing additional into narrative studio movies.
David Keighley grew to become a mentor to Christopher Nolan in that regard, as Nolan recalled in a tribute to Keighley upon his passing:
“His experience and collaborative spirit put IMAX cameras into my arms for the primary time and opened Hollywood’s eyes to the ability of the format, beginning with ‘The Darkish Knight.'”
It is no secret that Nolan has been a proponent of taking pictures IMAX movie ever since “The Darkish Knight,” and, apparently, Keighley was closely concerned in supervising the post-production course of on each Nolan’s movies and different IMAX motion pictures like Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners.” Though Keighley handed away earlier than “The Odyssey” was absolutely full, he was nonetheless in a position to end reviewing its dailies. As such, the movie is each a literal and figurative tribute to his work and lifelong help of IMAX.
“The Odyssey” is at present taking part in in theaters.
