Robert Altman 1925-2006

The film world has lost a great legend with the passing of Robert Altman a few days ago (November 20th). In my opinion, he was truly one of great American directors, there's not too many other capable American directors left today. I'm sure anyone who knows a thing or two about film will agree.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri on February 25, 1925, Altman had a pretty successful career in television before making MASH, the smash box office hit in 1970, which also yielded a long-running TV series. During the 1970s, the made a string of critically acclaimed movies including McCabe & Mrs. Miller, The Long Goodbye, California Split and Nashville.

Altman's career was kinda shaky in the 1980s with films like Buffalo Bill and the Indians (brilliant film, which nobody got) which was a flop at the box office. But in the early 90s he bounced back to success with The Player and Short Cuts. With Short Cuts he revisited a style he pioneered with Nashville in 1975 and later in "A Wedding".

In 2001, "Gosford Park" was both critically and commercially successful. His most recent film, A Prairie Home Companion, was released earlier this year, which I still haven't seen, but really want to. Early this year, Altman directed Arthur Miller's play Resurrection Blues at the Old Vic in London with Kevin Spacey being the artistic director.

Altman was always know as a hard working meticulous director who once vowed he would work all his life. Twice divorced, Altman is survived by his third wife Kathryn Reed, who he married in 1959, and five children including his son Stephen Altman, who has worked as a production designer on many of his movies.

My personal favorites are Short Cuts, M.A.S.H. and Nashville. If you want to see his full biography, filmography, notes, etc, go here.