A life in pictures: Sir Alec Guinness

Sir Alec Guinness, one of the greatest British actors of the last century, has died aged 86. We look back over his life and career in a series of memorable snapshots.

The role of Colonel Nicholson in the 1958 film Bridge On the River Kwai is considered Sir Alec's finest hour

Sir Alec displays his versatility for changing his appearance in an early role as Mr Disraeli in The Mudlark in 1950

Sir Alec returns from a trip to Canada in 1953 with wife Merula Salaman and son Matthew

Sir Alec Guinness on the set of the film The Malta Story in 1953

Playing King Charles I in the 1970 movie Cromwell with co-stars Edward Kemp and Zuleika Robson as Lady Elizabeth

Although mainly thought of as a screen actor, Sir Alec also gave many fine stage performances as here in 1973

Sir Alec receives a British Film Institute Fellowship award from BFI chairman Sir Richard Attenborough in 1991