MARTIN RITT 1920-1990

Talented, First-Rate, Meticulous Director of Weighty-Themed Films

Suggested Filmography: Edge of the City (1957), The Long, Hot Summer (1958), Paris Blues (1961), Hud (1963), The Outrage (1964), The Spy Who Came In From the Cold (1965), Hombre (1967), The Brotherhood (1968), The Molly Maguires (1970), The Great White Hope (1970), Pete 'n' Tillie (1972), Sounder (1972), Conrack (1974), The Front (1976), Norma Rae (1979), Back Roads (1981), Cross Creek (1983), Murphy's Romance (1985), The Slugger's Wife (1985), Nuts (1987), Stanley & Iris (1990).

Edge of the City (1957) Starring: Sidney Poitier, John Cassavetes Director: Martin Ritt Synopsis: Powerful drama about dock workers butting up against union corruption and racism in 1950s New York. Ritt's directing debut entertains drama fans with still relevant themes and rich characterizations.

The Long Hot Summer (1958) Starring: Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward Director: Martin Ritt Synopsis: Moody drama, adapted from Faulkner story, about small-town lovers resisting paternal tyrant's mandates. Stunning Newman/Woodward pairing makes this a favorite with their fans; over-the-top, Southern atmospherics appeal to melodrama buffs.

Black Orchid (1959) Starring: Sophia Loren, Anthony Quinn Director: Martin Ritt Synopsis: Soap opera-style melodrama about a businessman romancing a gangster's widow. Though fans of Quinn and Loren may be disappointed they're underutilized, this will satisfy those seeking an old-fashioned, undemanding tearjerker.

Hud (1963) Starring: Paul Newman, Patricia Neal Director: Martin Ritt Synopsis: Powerful performances and evocative cinematography highlight this critically acclaimed modern Western drama about a lazy son neglecting the family farm. A must for fans of strong character studies, bravura acting.

The Outrage (1964) Starring: Paul Newman, Laurence Harvey Director: Martin Ritt Synopsis: This character study of four people interviewed about a crime is a remake of Akira Kurosawa's acclaimed Rashomon with its setting transferred from 12th-century Japan to the American West.

Hombre (1967) Starring: Paul Newman, Fredric March Director: Martin Ritt Synopsis: Western historical adventure about a brooding, Indian-raised man who crosses Arizona by stagecoach in the 1880s. Critics praised its compelling storyline, colorful characters. Entertaining for Western buffs, Paul Newman devotees.

Molly Maguires (1970) Starring: Sean Connery, Richard Harris Director: Martin Ritt Synopsis: Dramatization of men behind 1870s Pennsylvania Irish coal miner's rebellion, and the infiltrator who ended it. Slow-paced yet atmospheric film will appeal primarily to labor history buffs, Sean Connery fans.

Murphy's Romance (1985) Starring: Sally Field, James Garner Director: Martin Ritt Synopsis: Crowd-pleasing, slow-paced "second chance" love story about a divorced woman starting over and falling for laid-back older man. Charms fans of mainstream Hollywood romances with its charismatic performances, lighthearted feel.

Stanley and Iris (1990) Starring: Jane Fonda, Robert De Niro Director: Martin Ritt Synopsis: Single mom teaches an illiterate genius to read, and a friendship between them develops. Fans of redemptive dramas appreciate the fine acting in this somewhat slow-moving, low-key tale. JOHN SCHLESINGER 1926- Skillful, Capable, and Celebrated Director Suggested Filmography: A Kind of Loving (1962), Billy Liar (1963), Darling (1965), Far From the Madding Crowd (1967),  Midnight Cowboy (1969), Sunday, Bloody Sunday (1971), The Day of the Locust (1975), Marathon Man (1976), Yanks (1979), Honky Tonk Freeway (1981), The Falcon and the Snowman (1984), The Believers (1987), Madame Sousatzka (1988), Pacific Heights (1990), The Innocent (1993), Cold Comfort Farm (1995), Eye For An Eye (1996), The Next Best Thing (2000). Darling (1965) Starring: Julie Christie, Dirk Bogarde Director: John Schlesinger Synopsis: Married woman seeks career advancement through series of lovers. Much-acclaimed at time of release. Well-crafted drama is sordid enough to appeal to soap fans; impressive performances also please acting aficionados. Midnight Cowboy (1969) Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Jon Voight Director: John Schlesinger Synopsis: Provocative, gritty portrait of naive Texan who becomes hustler in N.Y.C. Once-controversial, but has aged well. Compulsory for fans of powerful character studies unafraid of thought-provoking, dark fare. Marathon Man (1976) Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Laurence Olivier Director: John Schlesinger Synopsis: Dark, twisted, maze-like thriller about athletic grad student stumbling into an international smuggling ring. Somewhat dated, but this suspenseful and often disturbingly violent film still pleases many spine-tingler fans.