Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases


  • Print this page
  • Send to a friend

Robert Altman RIP

The director of 'Gosford Park', 'Nashville' and 'MASH' has died at the age of 81.

Nov 21 2006

Hollywood heavyweight Robert Altman, director of 'MASH', 'Nashville' and 'Short Cuts', died in Los Angeles last night of complications due to cancer. He was 81.

A unique character who refused to play by the moviemaking rules during his long and illustrious career, Altman's films were characterised by their vast ensemble casts, overlapping dialogue and loose improvisational style.

Hits included 'McCabe and Mrs Miller', 'The Player' and 'Gosford Park', and he was nominated for five Academy Awards, finally receiving an honorary Oscar earlier this year.

His most recent film, the critically acclaimed 'A Prairie Home Companion', came out in America in June but has yet to receive a UK release.

Altman is survived by his wife Kathryn and five children, and a full tribute to this remarkable director will appear on the site later in the week.

  • Print this page
  • Send to a friend

User comments on this story

  • E A Dobson said...
    McCabe & Mrs Miller,The Long Goodbye,Kansas City just three of my favourites by the great man.
    There is still no one who comes close to your originality.I lent a friend The Long Goodbye and he hated it! couldn`t take the overlapping dialogue.Not to everyones taste i guess. Posted on May 30 2011 16:32
    Report as inappropriate
  • David Badder said...
    Altman will be sorely missed. Most of your films were misunderstood and underrated. We all love the films counted as his successes. But what about Buffalo Bill, Jimmy Dean, Popeye, Quintet, 3 Women, Vincent & Theo, etc. I hope time willrecognise these films as among his best work and great films to boot. Posted on Jan 17 2007 12:48
    Report as inappropriate
  • David Badder said...
    You will be sorely missed. Most of your films were misunderstood and underrated. We all love the films counted as his successes. But what about Buffalo Bill, Jimmy Dean, Popeye, Quintet, 3 Women, Vincent & Theo, etc. I hope time willrecognise these films as among his best work and great films to boot. Posted on Jan 17 2007 12:46
    Report as inappropriate
  • Sara Masson said...
    It's the long goodbye, Robert. We loved you very much
    Sara and Andy Posted on Nov 22 2006 12:28
    Report as inappropriate
  • emily said...
    He changed the map. Posted on Nov 21 2006 21:12
    Report as inappropriate
5 user comments

What do you think?
Post your comment now

*mandatory fields




Most popular on this site


Top Stories

Has David Cronenberg turned tame?

Has David Cronenberg turned tame?

Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?

The 10 worst date movies

The 10 worst date movies

Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made

Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films

Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films

Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas

10 unlikely badboy biopics

10 unlikely badboy biopics

Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects

Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing

Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day

Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day

Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing