Director Spotlight: Sidney Lumet RIP

On April 9th, 2011, the film world lost one of it's greats. Mr. Sidney Lumet, who's directorial debut, 12 ANGRY MEN (1957), a must study for any film student, passed away Saturday morning at his home in Manhattan. He was 86.  


Lumet's films are quintessential American classics. Three of his films are listed on the American Film Institute's 100 Most Inspiring Movies of All Time; SERPICO (1973) at #84, THE VERDICT (1982) at #75 and 12 ANGRY MEN at #42.  Some of his other films include NETWORK (1976), perhaps one of his most acclaimed films, DOG DAY AFTERNOON (1975) his last film BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOUR DEAD (2007) and one of my child hood favorites THE WIZ (1978).


He was nominated for 5 Oscars, unfortunately never winning one, but in 2005 the Academy presented him with an honorary Academy Award.