Anthony Minghella makes art out of art in a beautifully shot scene from The English Patient. I was extremely sad to hear today's news that British director, Anthony Minghella passed away at the young age of 54. As the director of two of the most stylishly filmed movies of the previous decade, The English Patient and The Talented Mr. Ripley, Minghella possessed that rare ability to turn dark source material into a work of poetry and beauty. War and murder aside, the exotic set locations, music, period costumes and complex stories in each of his films combined to form some of the most engaging movie scenes in my memory.
From top: Scenes from The English Patient and The Talented Mr. Ripley, Anthony Minghella on set. Photos courtesy of Miramax/The Weinstein Company.
The Director's comments that accompany the DVD versions of these two films are truly engrossing for the design and film fan. I own both and watch them over and over again. We will miss the talented Mr. Minghella.
12 comments:
I was shocked and saddened to hear of his passing. Thank you for posting a tribute to one of our most talented directors ever.
I was in an airline lounge at LAX with my daughter and husband years ago while waiting for a flight to Rome. Seated in the lounge was Matt Damon and a male friend who watched tv and smoked. We did not approach him but a loud, obnoxious fan did and found out he was on his way to Rome to film Ripley with Minghella. My heart raced.
He will surelly me missed!
so sad. these still shots are amazing...thanks for the tribute.
- Jessie -
I was also saddened by the news. His work was among my favorite beautiful films.
Stumbled onto your site today. I'll definitely be back soon!
Beautiful post Millie. So glad you put this together. Must view these again soon.
Great post about a wonderful artist.
The English Patient and Talented Mr. Ripley are two of my favorite films. Lana
Tragedy. I loved The English Patient for its story, and TTMR for its style.
What a nice tribute to this extraordinarily talented, good man. This is a terrible loss. I read that his last film, The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (which is supposed to be amazing), will air this Sunday in the UK.
Great post. Thank you. Last year I saw the artwork in the top photo. It's from Piero della Francesca's Story of the True Cross in Arezzo, Tuscany. What Minghella does with it in that film is breathtaking!
Yes, those movies are quite unique and your right - he had the abilty to turn movies with a dark tone into works of cinematic art!!
Very sad. The world will miss out on a truly talented film maker.So young too! Those movies are amoung my favorites.
So sad, and so young. It is tragic when we lose those who have the gift of creating art with their films.
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