Oliver Stone

Born:September 15, 1946

Place of Birth:New York City, New York, USA

Known For:Directing

Biography

Oliver Stone, born William Oliver Stone, is a prominent figure in the American film industry, known for his work as a film director and screenwriter. His career took off in the late 1980s and early 1990s with a series of impactful films centered around the Vietnam War, a subject he had personal experience with as a former American infantry soldier. Stone's filmography is characterized by a deep exploration of contemporary political and cultural issues, often delving into controversial territory with his storytelling.

Throughout his career, Oliver Stone has been recognized with three prestigious Academy Awards, showcasing his talent and dedication to the craft. His accolades include Best Adapted Screenplay for "Midnight Express" (1978), as well as Best Director for both "Platoon" (1986) and "Born on the Fourth of July" (1989). These awards are a testament to his skill in bringing compelling narratives to life on the big screen, captivating audiences with his thought-provoking storytelling.

One of the distinctive features of Stone's filmmaking style is his innovative use of various cameras and film formats. From VHS to 8 mm film to 70 mm film, he seamlessly incorporates different formats into his work, creating a visually dynamic and immersive experience for viewers. This creative approach to cinematography is evident in films like "Natural Born Killers" (1994) and "JFK" (1991), where he skillfully blends multiple formats within a single scene to heighten the impact of the storytelling.

Beyond his technical prowess, Oliver Stone is known for his fearless exploration of complex and controversial subject matter. His films often serve as a platform for addressing pressing social and political issues, sparking dialogue and challenging audiences to confront uncomfortable truths. This bold and unapologetic approach to storytelling has solidified Stone's reputation as a filmmaker unafraid to push boundaries and provoke thought.

In addition to his work in film, Oliver Stone is also a published author, sharing his insights and perspectives on cinema, politics, and culture in various written works. His diverse body of work reflects a deep passion for storytelling and a commitment to using the medium of film as a powerful tool for social commentary and reflection. Stone's contributions to the world of cinema have left an indelible mark, inspiring future generations of filmmakers to fearlessly pursue their artistic visions.

With a career spanning decades, Oliver Stone continues to captivate audiences with his thought-provoking narratives and visually stunning filmmaking. His dedication to exploring the complexities of the human experience and shedding light on important societal issues has cemented his legacy as a visionary in the world of cinema. As he continues to push boundaries and challenge conventions, Oliver Stone remains a true icon in the realm of filmmaking, leaving an enduring impact on the industry and audiences alike.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Platoon

Alpha Company Major in Bunker (uncredited)

1986

As a young and naive recruit in Vietnam, Chris Taylor faces a moral crisis when confronted with the horrors of war and the duality of man.

Alexander

Macedonian Soldier at Zeus Statue (uncredited)

2004

Alexander, the King of Macedonia, leads his legions against the giant Persian Empire. After defeating the Persians, he leads his army across the then known world, venturing farther than any westerner had ever gone, all the way to India.

Any Given Sunday

Tug Kowalski: TV Announcer #1

1999

A star quarterback gets knocked out of the game and an unknown third stringer is called in to replace him. The unknown gives a stunning performance and forces the aging coach to reevaluate his game plans and life. A new co-owner/president adds to the pressure of winning. The new owner must prove herself in a male dominated world.

Born on the Fourth of July

News Reporter

1989

Paralyzed in the Vietnam war, Ron Kovic becomes an anti-war and pro-human rights political activist after feeling betrayed by the country he fought for.

The Doors

UCLA Film Professor

1991

The story of the famous and influential 1960s rock band and its lead singer and composer, Jim Morrison.

Val

Self (archive footage)

2021

For over 40 years Val Kilmer, one of Hollywood’s most mercurial and/or misunderstood actors has been documenting his own life and craft through film and video. He has amassed thousands of hours of footage, from 16mm home movies made with his brothers, to time spent in iconic roles for blockbuster movies like Top Gun, The Doors, Tombstone, and Batman Forever. This raw, wildly original and unflinching documentary reveals a life lived to extremes and a heart-filled, sometimes hilarious look at what it means to be an artist and a complex man.

Dave

Oliver Stone

1993

A sweet-natured Temp Agency operator and amateur Presidential look-alike is recruited by the Secret Service to become a temporary stand-in for the President of the United States.

Ennio

Self

2022

A portrait of Ennio Morricone, the most popular and prolific film composer of the 20th century, the one most loved by the international public, a two-time Oscar winner and the author of over five hundred unforgettable scores.

Production

Scarface

Screenplay

1983

After getting a green card in exchange for assassinating a Cuban government official, Tony Montana stakes a claim on the drug trade in Miami. Viciously murdering anyone who stands in his way, Tony eventually becomes the biggest drug lord in the state, controlling nearly all the cocaine that comes through Miami. But increased pressure from the police, wars with Colombian drug cartels and his own drug-fueled paranoia serve to fuel the flames of his eventual downfall.

Platoon

Director

1986

As a young and naive recruit in Vietnam, Chris Taylor faces a moral crisis when confronted with the horrors of war and the duality of man.

Alexander

Screenplay

2004

Malcolm X

Thanks

1992

A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation. He hit bottom during his imprisonment in the '50s, he became a Black Muslim and then a leader in the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 left a legacy of self-determination and racial pride.

Conan the Barbarian

Screenplay

1982

A horde of rampaging warriors massacre the parents of young Conan and enslave the young child for years on The Wheel of Pain. As the sole survivor of the childhood massacre, Conan is released from slavery and taught the ancient arts of fighting. Transforming himself into a killing machine, Conan travels into the wilderness to seek vengeance on Thulsa Doom, the man responsible for killing his family. In the wilderness, Conan takes up with the thieves Valeria and Subotai. The group comes upon King Osric, who wants the trio of warriors to help rescue his daughter who has joined Doom in the hills.

JFK

Director

1991

Follows the investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy led by New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison.

Snowden

Screenplay

2016

CIA employee Edward Snowden leaks thousands of classified documents to the press.

Natural Born Killers

Screenplay

1994

Two victims of traumatized childhoods become lovers and serial murderers irresponsibly glorified by the mass media.

Savages

Director

2012

Pot growers Ben and Chon face off against the Mexican drug cartel who kidnapped their shared girlfriend.

Any Given Sunday

Executive Producer

1999

Born on the Fourth of July

Director

1989

Paralyzed in the Vietnam war, Ron Kovic becomes an anti-war and pro-human rights political activist after feeling betrayed by the country he fought for.

The Doors

Writer

1991

The story of the famous and influential 1960s rock band and its lead singer and composer, Jim Morrison.

Midnight Express

Screenplay

1978

Billy Hayes is caught attempting to smuggle drugs out of Turkey. The Turkish courts decide to make an example of him, sentencing him to more than 30 years in prison. Hayes has two opportunities for release: the appeals made by his lawyer, his family, and the American government, or the "Midnight Express".

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Producer

2010

As the global economy teeters on the brink of disaster, a young Wall Street trader partners with disgraced former Wall Street corporate raider Gordon Gekko on a two tiered mission: To alert the financial community to the coming doom, and to find out who was responsible for the death of the young trader's mentor.

Evita

Screenplay

1996

The hit musical based on the life of Evita Duarte, a B-movie Argentinian actress who eventually became the wife of Argentinian president and dictator Juan Perón, and the most beloved and hated woman in Argentina.

Nixon

Director

1995

A look at President Richard M. Nixon—a man carrying the fate of the world on his shoulders while battling the self-destructive demands from within—spanning his troubled boyhood in California to the shocking Watergate scandal that would end his Presidency.

World Trade Center

Director

2006

Two police officers struggle to survive when they become trapped beneath the rubble of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

The People vs. Larry Flynt

Producer

1996

Larry Flynt is the hedonistically obnoxious, but indomitable, publisher of Hustler magazine. The film recounts his struggle to make an honest living publishing his girlie magazine and how it changes into a battle to protect the freedom of speech for all people.

Blue Steel

Producer

1990

Rookie cop Megan Turner orders a burglar to drop his gun. He whirls to shoot. Too late. Turner fires, killing him instantly. When someone lifts the assailant's gun from the crime scene, the police hold Turner accountable for killing an unarmed man. That same someone carves Turner's name into the bullets and uses them in a series of murders. Turner teams up with detective Nick Mann to clear her name and catch the killer. But she is drawn into a deadly game of wits with a psychopath who's always one step ahead… and much closer than she thinks!

The Corruptor

Executive Producer

1999

Danny is a young cop partnered with Nick, a seasoned but ethically tainted veteran. As the two try to stop a gang war in Chinatown, Danny relies on Nick but grows increasingly uncomfortable with the way Nick gets things done.

Reversal of Fortune

Producer

1990

Wealthy Sunny von Bülow lies brain-dead, husband Claus guilty of attempted murder; but he says he's innocent and hires Alan Dershowitz for his appeal.

8 Million Ways to Die

Screenplay

1986

Scudder is a detective with the Sheriff's Department who is forced to shoot a violent suspect during a narcotics raid. The ensuing psychological aftermath of this shooting worsens his drinking problem and this alcoholism causes him to lose his job, as well as his marriage.

Salvador

Writer

1986

In 1980, an American journalist covering the Salvadoran Civil War becomes entangled with both the leftist guerrilla groups and the right-wing military dictatorship while trying to rescue his girlfriend and her children.