Michael Cimino

'Michael Cimino' (qv) studied architecture and dramatic arts; later he filmed advertisements and documentaries and also wrote scripts until the actor, producer and director 'Clint Eastwood' (qv) gave him the opportunity to direct the thriller _Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974)_ (qv). But his biggest success was _The Deer Hunter (1978)_ (qv) which won the Oscar for best film. For another successful film, _The Sicilian (1987)_ (qv), he got into trouble with critics when they accused him of portraying as a hero the Italian criminal 'Salvatore Giuliano' (qv).::Volker Boehm