Sadly, Peter Yates passed away yesterday at the age of 81. He's a director most people won't recognize, but odds are, have seen at least one film of his. His career was quite varied, first finding a foothold in television with shows such as the excellent Secret Agent and The Saint. Films such as Robbery and Bullitt soon followed. Although I didn't see the film until recently, I must say that The Friends of Eddie Coyle is an absolute masterpiece. Besides excellent crime films, he also directed comedies like Mother, Juggs & Speed, family oriented flicks like Breaking Away, and one of my all time favorites, Krull. His directing career ended in the mid 2000's with television adaptations of Don Quixote and A Separate Piece.
THE SHADOW and the Vanishing Prisoners (1944)
21 hours ago
Yates should be recognized more. Top director of some very edgy films of the times.
ReplyDeleteBullitt remains my favorite with Coyle a close second. R.I.P.