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Franklin J. Schaffner

Franklin J. Schaffner

Franklin James Schaffner was an American film director. Born in Tokyo and raised in Japan, the son of missionaries. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College, where he was active in Drama. He joined the Navy before moving into television with March of Time and then joining CBS. He won directing Emmys for his work on Twelve Angry Men (1954), The Caine Mutiny (1955) and in 1957 for a documentary.

His debut film was praised and it already showed his versatility and ability to bring a certain quality to mediocre projects. He directed the influential hit Planet of the Apes, but Rod Serling as script-writer was the chief injector of energy. His next film was another hit, directing George C. Scott in Patton. After his commercial success had secured his position he moved onto a series of long and slow 'quality' films. But after The Boys from Brazil his remaining pictures hint of a director in search of any job.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2004.

Franklin J. Schaffner Facts

Birth NameFranklin James Schaffner
OccupationDirector
BirthdayMay 30, 1920
SignGemini
BirthplaceTokyo, Japan
Date of deathJuly 2, 1989 (age 69)
Awards1971 Academy Awards: Best Director (for Patton)

Selected Filmography

Papillon
Patton
The War Lord
Planet of the Apes
Islands In The Stream
Boys from Brazil
Yes, Giorgio
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