Michael Cimino
Michael Cimino (b. 3 February 1939 New York City) is an Academy Award winning film writer and director who achieved his greatest success with The Deer Hunter (1978) but whose Hollywood career was subsequently curtailed after the critically panned and financially disastrous Heaven’s Gate (1980), which hastened the demise of the film studio that released it, United Artists. His films are distinguished by intricately designed widescreen photography and detailed art direction. In recent years a critical reappraisal of Heaven’s Gate has taken place, especially in France, where Cimino was awarded the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 2001.
Filmography
as screenwriter
Silent Running (1972)
Magnum Force (1973) (co-writer)
as director
Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974) (also writer)
The Deer Hunter (1978) (also co-writer)
Heaven’s Gate (1980) (also writer)
Year of the Dragon (1985) (also co-writer)
The Sicilian (1987)
Desperate Hours (1990)
Sunchaser (1996)