John Alcott, Cinematographer

John Alcott, whose exquisite cinematography often proved superior to the films that he was involved with, died this week while vacationing in the south of France, it was learned Friday. He was 55 and collapsed on the sidewalk Monday while on his way to buy a newspaper.

The cause of his death is unknown, said Bernie Williams, a friend and spokesman who said a post-mortem may be performed when he is returned to his native England for burial.

Alcott, who won an Oscar in 1975 for the still-life, art gallery quality that he gave the financially and critically disastrous “Barry Lyndon,” had come to the attention of director Stanley Kubrick for some scenes that he had photographed on Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” in 1968.

Kubrick elevated him to director of photography on the controversial “A Clockwork Orange” in 1971, then “Barry Lyndon” and “The Shining” in 1980.

His other credits include “Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes,” “Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?” “Fort Apache, the Bronx” and “Baby.”

He is survived by his wife, Sue, and a son.