Franklin James Schaffner (May 30, 1920 – July 2, 1989) was an American director. He won the Academy Award for Best Director for Patton (1970), and is also known for the films Planet of the Apes (1968), Nicholas and Alexandra (1971), Papillon (1973), and The Boys from Brazil (1978). He served as President of the Directors Guild of America between 1987 and 1989.
Franklin J. Schaffner
Known for
Franklin J. Schaffner was an American director born in Tokyo, Japan, to missionary parents, celebrated for ambitious, large-scale films spanning science fiction and historical epic. Planet of the Apes, a groundbreaking science-fiction allegory ending with one of cinema's most famous twist endings, established his reputation for combining genre spectacle with genuine social and political commentary on nuclear anxiety and civilizational collapse. Patton, a sweeping biographical epic on the controversial World War II general, won Schaffner the Academy Award for Best Director and became one of the most acclaimed war films of its era, anchored by George C. Scott's towering performance. Papillon, an unrelenting prison-escape epic, and The Boys from Brazil, a thriller involving Nazi cloning experiments, extended his range across genre and scale. Schaffner's combination of genuine intellectual ambition with large-scale genre spectacle made him one of the significant studio directors of the New Hollywood transition era.
Franklin J. Schaffner
20 Directed
6 Series
Franklin J. Schaffner was an American director born in Tokyo, Japan, to missionary parents, celebrated for ambitious, large-scale films spanning science fiction and historical epic. Planet of the Apes, a groundbreaking science-fiction allegory ending with one of cinema's most famous twist endings, established his reputation for combining genre spectacle with genuine social and political commentary on nuclear anxiety and civilizational collapse. Patton, a sweeping biographical epic on the controversial World War II general, won Schaffner the Academy Award for Best Director and became one of the most acclaimed war films of its era, anchored by George C. Scott's towering performance. Papillon, an unrelenting prison-escape epic, and The Boys from Brazil, a thriller involving Nazi cloning experiments, extended his range across genre and scale. Schaffner's combination of genuine intellectual ambition with large-scale genre spectacle made him one of the significant studio directors of the New Hollywood transition era.
Movies
Director
Planet of the Apes
1968
Director
Papillon
1973
Director
Patton
1970
Director
The Boys from Brazil
1978
Director
Nicholas and Alexandra
1971
Director
The War Lord
1965
Director
Sphinx
1981
Director
Yes, Giorgio
1982
Director
The Best Man
1964
Director
Islands in the Stream
1977
Director
Lionheart
1987
Director
The Double Man
1967
Director
Welcome Home
1989
Director
The Stripper
1963
Director
High Tor
1956
Full Filmography
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Franklin J. Schaffner still alive?
Franklin J. Schaffner passed away on July 2, 1989 at age 69.
What are the most famous roles of Franklin J. Schaffner?
Franklin J. Schaffner is best known for directing Planet of the Apes, Papillon, Patton.
How many movies has Franklin J. Schaffner directed?
Over a 40-year career (since 1949), Franklin J. Schaffner has directed or written 20 films and worked on 6 TV shows.
What was Franklin J. Schaffner's first movie?
The career of Franklin J. Schaffner began with Jane Eyre (1949).
What is Franklin J. Schaffner's most recent movie or series?
Franklin J. Schaffner's most recent release is Welcome Home, which premiered on September 29, 1989.
What TV shows has Franklin J. Schaffner created or directed?
On television, Franklin J. Schaffner has appeared in Studio One, The Defenders, Playhouse 90, ABC Stage 67.
Franklin J. Schaffner
1920-05-30 · Tokyo, Japan
Franklin James Schaffner (May 30, 1920 – July 2, 1989) was an American director. He won the Academy Award for Best Director for Patton (1970), and is also known for the films Planet of the Apes (1968), Nicholas and Alexandra (1971), Papillon (1973), and The Boys from Brazil (1978). He served as President of the Directors Guild of America between 1987 and 1989.