I have as much artistic freedom in my television work as I have in my films.

In 1972 he returned home to Canada where he directed several films including the adaptation of his friend and one-time roommate Mordecai Richler's novel The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz. ) Also in 1971 Kotcheff returned to television directing the Play for Today production Edna the Inebriate Woman for the BBC which won him a British Academy Television Award for Best Director. During Underground transmitted live on 30 November 1958 Kotcheff was required to cope with one of the actors suddenly dying while between two of his scenes.

Ted Kotcheff (born April 7 1931) sometimes credited as William Kotcheff or William T.