History Creator / WilliamFriedkin

[[quoteright:325:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/friedkin.jpg]]

His greatest works are generally seen as ''Film/TheFrenchConnection'' and ''Film/TheExorcist'', which established him as an up-and-coming talent in cinema, but his ambitious film ''Film/{{Sorcerer}}'', doomed by its release alongside ''Franchise/StarWars'', essentially ruined his career and sent him into obscurity (though it is now being re-evaluated as a masterpiece by many critics). He continues making films, some hugely beloved and others hated, but has never regained his former fame or success.

[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/friedkin_4.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:300:''"I consider myself just another member of the crew, the highest paid member of the crew."'']]

* ''Film/TheFrenchConnection''
* ''Film/TheExorcist''
* ''{{Film/Sorcerer}}''
* ''{{Film/Cruising}}''
* ''Film/DealOfTheCentury''
* ''Film/ToLiveAndDieInLA''
* ''[[Film/TheGuardian1990 The Guardian]]''
* ''{{Film/Jade}}''
* ''Film/RulesOfEngagement''
* ''Film/{{The Hunted|2003}}''
* ''{{Film/Bug}}''
* ''Film/KillerJoe''

* ''Film/TheHunted''

[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/friedkin_4.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''"I consider myself just another member of the crew, the highest paid member of the crew."'']]


An American director associated with the UsefulNotes/NewHollywood movement, best known for his various thriller films. His greatest works are generally seen as ''Film/TheFrenchConnection'' and ''Film/TheExorcist'', which established him as an up-and-coming talent in cinema, but his ambitious film ''Film/{{Sorcerer}}'', doomed by its release alongside ''Franchise/StarWars'', essentially ruined his career and sent him into obscurity (though it is now being re-evaluated as a masterpiece by many critics). He continues making films, some hugely beloved and others hated, but has never regained his former fame or success.

* BittersweetEnding: In his more optimistic films such as Film/TheExorcist.

* CrapsackWorld: Usually, especially in {{Film/Sorcerer}} and Film/ToLiveAndDieInLA.

* KarmaHoudini: A few, most famously in Film/TheFrenchConnection.

* Film/TheFrenchConnection
* Film/TheExorcist
* {{Film/Sorcerer}}
* {{Film/Cruising}}
* Film/ToLiveAndDieInLA
* [[Film/TheGuardian1990 The Guardian]]
* {{Film/Jade}}
* Film/TheHunted
* {{Film/Bug}}
* Film/KillerJoe

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Enjoying the succcess of ''Movie/TheExorcist'' in 1973, and inspired by the fantasy story printed on the back cover of ''[[Music/{{Genesis}} Genesis Live]]'', Friedkin asked [[Music/{{Genesis}} the band's]] then-frontman, PeterGabriel, among other figures outside of the film industry, to come up with ideas the director could use to create new movies. Gabriel, seeing this as a golden opportunity and a chance to branch out from his Genesis duties, took a trip to see Friedkin and brainstorm. Members of the band, which was in the middle of writing and recording ''Music/TheLambLiesDownOnBroadway'' at the time, felt uncomfortable and resentful with the idea, disliked that Gabriel wasn't fully giving his attention or commitment to the band and the album, and saw it as a threat that their frontman might leave at any time. This attitude within the band, which later they [[OldShame would regret]], was part of the impetus for Gabriel leaving the band (Friedkin had as well felt guilty, as he only wanted ideas and did not want the band to break up due to him).

An American director associated with the NewHollywood movement, best known for his various thriller films. His greatest works are generally seen as ''Film/TheFrenchConnection'' and ''Film/TheExorcist'', which established him as an up-and-coming talent in cinema, but his ambitious film ''Film/{{Sorcerer}}'', doomed by its release alongside ''Franchise/StarWars'', essentially ruined his career and sent him into obscurity (though it is now being re-evaluated as a masterpiece by many critics). He continues making films, some hugely beloved and others hated, but has never regained his former fame or success.

* KarmaHoudini: A few, most famously in Film/TheFrenchConnection.

* {{Existentialism}}: Could be ascribed to all his films, but especially {{Film/Sorcerer}}.

An American director associated with the NewHollywood movement, best known for his various thriller films. His greatest works are generally seen as TheFrenchConnection and TheExorcist, which established him as an up-and-coming talent in cinema, but his ambitious film {{Sorcerer}}, doomed by its release alongside StarWars, essentially ruined his career and sent him into obscurity (though it is now being re-evaluated as a masterpiece by many critics). He continues making films, some hugely beloved and others hated, but has never regained his former fame or success.

* BittersweetEnding: In his more optimistic films such as TheExorcist.

* CrapsackWorld: Usually, especially in {{Film/Sorcerer}} and ToLiveAndDieInLA.

* KarmaHoudini: A few, most famously in TheFrenchConnection.

* TheFrenchConnection
* TheExorcist

* ToLiveAndDieInLA

* KillerJoe

* KarmaHoudini: A few, most famously in TheFrenchConnection.
* TrueArtIsAngsty

An American director associated with the NewHollywood movement, best known for his various thriller films. His greatest works are generally seen as TheFrenchConnection and TheExorcist, which established him as an up-and-coming talent in cinema, but his ambitious film {{Sorcerer}}, doomed by its release alongside StarWars, essentially ruined his career and sent him into obscurity (though it is now being re-evaluated as a masterpiece by many critics). He continues making films, some hugely beloved and others hated, but has never regained his former fame or success.

[[caption-width-right:350:some caption text]]

* BittersweetEnding: In his more optimistic films such TheExorcist.

* CrapsachWorld: Usually, especially in {{Film/Sorcerer}} and ToLiveAndDieInLA.

* {{Existentialism}}: Could be ascribed to all his films, but especially {{Film/Sorcerer}}.

* DownerEnding: Almost always. The only option is a BittersweetEnding.

* Existentialism: Could be ascribed to all his films, but especially {{Film/Sorcerer}}.

An American director associated with the NewHollywood movement, best known for his various thriller films. His greatest works are generally seen as TheFrenchConnection and TheExorcist, which established him as an up-and-coming talent in cinema, but his overly-ambitious film {{Sorcerer}}, doomed by its release alongside StarWars, essentially ruined his career and sent him into obscurity. He continues making films, some hugely beloved and others hated, but has never regained his former fame or success.

* Existientalism: Could be ascribed to all his films, but especially {{Film/Sorcerer}}.

* Nihilism: especially in {{Film/Sorcerer}}.

An American director associated with the NewHollywood movement, best known for his various thriller films. His greatest works are generally seen as TheFrenchConnection and TheExorcist, which established him as an up-and-coming talent in cinema, but his overly-ambitious film {{Sorcerer}}, doomed by its release alongside StarWars, essentially ruined his career and sent him into obscurity. He continues making films, some hugely beloved and others hated, but has never regained his former fame or success.