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{{short description|American film director}}

{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = John Flynn
| name = John Flynn
Line 5: Line 7:
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = March 14, 1932
| birth_date = March 14, 1932
| birth_place = [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]], [[Illinois]], United States
| birth_place = [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]], Illinois, United States
| death_date = April 4, 2007 (aged 75)
| death_date = April 4, 2007 (aged 75)
| death_place = [[Pacific Palisades, California|Pacific Palisades]], [[California]], United States
| death_place = [[Pacific Palisades, California|Pacific Palisades]], California, United States
| occupation = [[Film director]] and [[screenwriter]]
| occupation = [[Film director]] and [[screenwriter]]
| spouse =
| spouse =
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}}
}}


'''John Flynn''' (March 14, 1932 – April 4, 2007) was an [[Americans|American]] [[film director]] and [[screenwriter]] known for films such as ''[[The Outfit (1973 film)|The Outfit]]'' and ''[[Rolling Thunder (film)|Rolling Thunder]]''.<ref name="obit">[http://articles.latimes.com/2007/apr/20/local/me-passings20.1 OBITUARIES; PASSINGS; John Flynn, 75; director known for 'The Outfit' and 'Rolling Thunder': &#91;HOME EDITION&#93; Los Angeles Times &#91;Los Angeles, Calif&#93; 20 Apr 2007: B.11.] accessed 22 Feb 2015</ref>
'''John Flynn''' (March 14, 1932 – April 4, 2007) was an American film director and screenwriter known for films such as ''[[The Outfit (1973 film)|The Outfit]]'' and ''[[Rolling Thunder (film)|Rolling Thunder]]''.<ref name="obit">[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-apr-20-me-passings20.1-story.html OBITUARIES; PASSINGS; John Flynn, 75; director known for 'The Outfit' and 'Rolling Thunder': &#91;HOME EDITION&#93; Los Angeles Times &#91;Los Angeles, Calif&#93; 20 Apr 2007: B.11.] accessed 22 Feb 2015</ref>


==Biography==
==Biography==
Flynn was born in Chicago and raised in [[Hermosa Beach, California]]. He served in the [[Coast Guard]], and studied journalism with ''[[Roots: The Saga of an American Family|Roots]]'' author [[Alex Haley]]. Flynn received a degree in journalism from [[UCLA]].<ref name="obit"/>
Flynn was born in Chicago and raised in Hermosa Beach, California. He served in the Coast Guard, and studied journalism with ''[[Roots: The Saga of an American Family|Roots]]'' author [[Alex Haley]]. Flynn received a degree in journalism from UCLA.<ref name="obit"/>


===Assistant===
===Assistant===
Flynn entered the film industry when [[Robert Wise]] hired him to do some research for a biopic of [[Robert Capa]]. The film was never made but he got along with Wise who hired Flynn to work as his assistant on ''[[Odds Against Tomorrow]]''.<ref name="john">[http://www.focorevistadecinema.com.br/FOCO2/chartrand-johneng.htm Harvey Chartand, "Interview with John Flynn", ''Shock Cinema'' 2005] accessed 16 February 2015</ref>
Flynn entered the film industry when [[Robert Wise]] hired him to do some research for a biopic of [[Robert Capa]]. The film never was made, but he got along with Wise who hired Flynn to work as his assistant on ''[[Odds Against Tomorrow]]''.<ref name="john">[http://www.focorevistadecinema.com.br/FOCO2/chartrand-johneng.htm Harvey Chartand, "Interview with John Flynn", ''Shock Cinema'' 2005] accessed 16 February 2015</ref>


Flynn subsequently worked as the [[script supervisor]] on ''[[West Side Story (1961 film)|West Side Story]]'' and as a second assistant director on ''[[Kid Galahad]]'' and ''[[Two for the Seesaw]]''. He then worked as first assistant director on ''[[The Great Escape (film)|The Great Escape]]'' and second unit director on ''[[Kings of the Sun]]'' ("a bullshit script, a popcorn script," according to Flynn<ref name="john"/>). This was directed by [[J. Lee Thompson]] who used Flynn again as an assistant director on ''[[What a Way to Go!]]'' and ''[[John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!]]''.
Flynn subsequently worked as the [[script supervisor]] on ''[[West Side Story (1961 film)|West Side Story]]'' and as a second assistant director on ''[[Kid Galahad]]'' and ''[[Two for the Seesaw (1962 film)|Two for the Seesaw]]''. He then worked as first assistant director on ''[[The Great Escape (film)|The Great Escape]]'' and second unit director on ''[[Kings of the Sun]]'' ("a bullshit script, a popcorn script," according to Flynn<ref name="john"/>). This was directed by [[J. Lee Thompson]] who used Flynn again as an assistant director on ''[[What a Way to Go!]]'' and ''[[John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!]]''.


===Film director===
===Film director===
In 1966, Wise set up a company to produce low-budget films that others would direct. He optioned Dennis Murphy's novel ''[[The Sergeant (1968 film)|The Sergeant]]'' and hired Flynn to direct. The movie starred [[Rod Steiger]].<ref name="john"/>
In 1966, Wise set up a company to produce low-budget films that others would direct. He optioned [[Dennis Murphy (screenwriter)|Dennis Murphy's]] novel ''[[The Sergeant (1968 film)|The Sergeant]]'' and hired Flynn to direct. The movie starred [[Rod Steiger]].<ref name="john"/>

⚫
His next movie, ''[[The Jerusalem File]]'' was shot in Israel. It did not perform particularly well at the box office but ''[[The Outfit (1973 film)|The Outfit]]'' did. This was an adaptation of the novel by [[Donald Westlake]] starring [[Robert Duvall]].


⚫
Flynn's next movie, ''[[The Jerusalem File]]'' was shot in Israel. It did not perform well at the box office. Following this, he directed ''[[The Outfit (1973 film)|The Outfit]]'', which was released to positive reviews. The film, starring [[Robert Duvall]], was an adaptation of the novel by the same name written by [[Donald Westlake]].
⚫
The filmmaker achieved a dedicated [[cult following]] with the gritty revenge thriller ''Rolling Thunder'' starring [[William Devane]] and [[Tommy Lee Jones]]. The film was highly controversial because of its violence.<ref name="john"/> In a 1994 interview with Jon Stewart, filmmaker [[Quentin Tarantino]] cited ''Rolling Thunder'' as an influence and Flynn among his favorite directors. The film received praise for its action sequences, atmosphere, direction, music and cast performances, however, it was criticized for its pace and violent climax. In addition to its critical success, the film was also a box-office success with an estimated revenue of $130 million against its $5 million production budget.


⚫
Flynn achieved a dedicated [[cult following]] with the 1977 gritty revenge thriller ''[[Rolling Thunder (film)|Rolling Thunder]]'' starring [[William Devane]] and [[Tommy Lee Jones]]. The film was highly controversial because of its violence.<ref name="john"/> In a 1994 interview with [[Jon Stewart]], filmmaker [[Quentin Tarantino]] cited ''Rolling Thunder'' as an influence and Flynn among his favorite directors. The film received praise for its action sequences, atmosphere, direction, music and cast performances; however, it was criticized for its pace and violent climax. In addition to its critical success, the film was also a box-office success with an estimated revenue of $130 million against its $5 million production budget.
⚫
He made a number of higher-profile films in the late 1980s including ''[[Best Seller]]'', the [[Sylvester Stallone]] prison drama ''[[Lock Up (film)|Lock Up]]'', and the [[Steven Seagal]] action film, ''[[Out for Justice]]''.


⚫
Flynn made a number of higher-profile films in the late 1980s, including the [[James Woods]] neo-noir ''[[Best Seller]]'', the [[Sylvester Stallone]] prison drama ''[[Lock Up (1989 film)|Lock Up]]'', and the [[Steven Seagal]] action film ''[[Out for Justice]]''.
In the early 1990s, Flynn directed two made-for-cable-TV films, the [[Dennis Hopper]] cop film ''Nails'' and the crime drama ''Scam''.


In 1994, he directed ''[[Brainscan]]'', a thriller about the dangers of virtual reality, starring [[Edward Furlong]] and [[Frank Langella]].
In the early 1990s, Flynn directed two made-for-cable-TV films: the [[Dennis Hopper]] cop film ''Nails'' and the crime drama ''Scam''. In 1994, he directed ''[[Brainscan]]'', a horror film about the dangers of virtual reality, starring [[Edward Furlong]] and [[Frank Langella]].


Flynn's last film was the direct-to-video film ''Protection.'' He spent the last few years of his life mostly in France.<ref name="john"/>
Flynn's last film was the direct-to-video film ''[[Protection (2001 film)|Protection]].'' He spent the last few years of his life mostly in France.<ref name="john"/>


Flynn died in his sleep at his Los Angeles home. He is survived by his son Tara.<ref name="obit"/>
Flynn died in his sleep on April 4, 2007 at his Los Angeles home. He is survived by his son Tara.<ref name="obit"/>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
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|-
|-
| 1989
| 1989
| ''[[Lock Up (film)|Lock Up]]''
| ''[[Lock Up (1989 film)|Lock Up]]''
|
|
|-
|-
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|-
|-
| 1992
| 1992
| ''Nails''
| ''[[Nails (1992 film)|Nails]]''
| TV film
| TV film
|-
|-
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|}
|}


===Unfilmed Project===
===Unfilmed projects===
*''On the Day of His Death'', from a short novel by Polish writer [[Marek Hlasko]] about immigrants in Israel - Flynn had wanted to make it since the 1960s<ref name="john"/>
*''On the Day of His Death'', from a short novel by Polish writer [[Marek Hłasko]] about immigrants in Israel - Flynn had wanted to make it since the 1960s<ref name="john"/>
*a police procedural drama set in Paris "in the spirit of ''[[Le samouraï]]''<ref name="john"/>
*a police procedural drama set in Paris "in the spirit of ''[[Le Samouraï]]''<ref name="john"/>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*{{IMDb name|id=0283500|name=John Flynn}}
* {{IMDb name|283500}}
⚫
* [http://www.aintitcool.com/node/32221 Ain't-It-Cool-News tribute]
*{{Amg name|90035|John Flynn}}
⚫
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081012121509/http://blog.vanvoice.com/2007/10/23/aisle-view-directors-project-john-flynn/ ''Vancouver Voice''] profile
⚫
*[http://www.aintitcool.com/node/32221 Ain't-It-Cool-News tribute]
⚫
* [http://www.focorevistadecinema.com.br/FOCO2/index.htm Foco - Revista de Cinema, special edition devoted to John Flynn]
⚫
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081012121509/http://blog.vanvoice.com/2007/10/23/aisle-view-directors-project-john-flynn/ ''Vancouver Voice''] profile
⚫
*[http://www.focorevistadecinema.com.br/FOCO2/index.htm Foco - Revista de Cinema, special edition devoted to John Flynn]


{{John Flynn}}
{{John Flynn}}
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[[Category:1932 births]]
[[Category:1932 births]]
[[Category:2007 deaths]]
[[Category:2007 deaths]]
[[Category:American film directors]]
[[Category:Film directors from Illinois]]
[[Category:University of California, Los Angeles alumni]]
[[Category:University of California, Los Angeles alumni]]
[[Category:Writers from Chicago]]
[[Category:Writers from Chicago]]
[[Category:Action film directors]]
[[Category:American action film directors]]

Latest revision as of 17:20, 22 December 2024

John Flynn
BornMarch 14, 1932
Chicago, Illinois, United States
DiedApril 4, 2007 (aged 75)
Pacific Palisades, California, United States
Occupation(s)Film director and screenwriter
Years active1961–2001

John Flynn (March 14, 1932 – April 4, 2007) was an American film director and screenwriter known for films such as The Outfit and Rolling Thunder.[1]

Biography

[edit]

Flynn was born in Chicago and raised in Hermosa Beach, California. He served in the Coast Guard, and studied journalism with Roots author Alex Haley. Flynn received a degree in journalism from UCLA.[1]

Assistant

[edit]

Flynn entered the film industry when Robert Wise hired him to do some research for a biopic of Robert Capa. The film never was made, but he got along with Wise who hired Flynn to work as his assistant on Odds Against Tomorrow.[2]

Flynn subsequently worked as the script supervisor on West Side Story and as a second assistant director on Kid Galahad and Two for the Seesaw. He then worked as first assistant director on The Great Escape and second unit director on Kings of the Sun ("a bullshit script, a popcorn script," according to Flynn[2]). This was directed by J. Lee Thompson who used Flynn again as an assistant director on What a Way to Go! and John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!.

Film director

[edit]

In 1966, Wise set up a company to produce low-budget films that others would direct. He optioned Dennis Murphy's novel The Sergeant and hired Flynn to direct. The movie starred Rod Steiger.[2]

Flynn's next movie, The Jerusalem File was shot in Israel. It did not perform well at the box office. Following this, he directed The Outfit, which was released to positive reviews. The film, starring Robert Duvall, was an adaptation of the novel by the same name written by Donald Westlake.

Flynn achieved a dedicated cult following with the 1977 gritty revenge thriller Rolling Thunder starring William Devane and Tommy Lee Jones. The film was highly controversial because of its violence.[2] In a 1994 interview with Jon Stewart, filmmaker Quentin Tarantino cited Rolling Thunder as an influence and Flynn among his favorite directors. The film received praise for its action sequences, atmosphere, direction, music and cast performances; however, it was criticized for its pace and violent climax. In addition to its critical success, the film was also a box-office success with an estimated revenue of $130 million against its $5 million production budget.

Flynn made a number of higher-profile films in the late 1980s, including the James Woods neo-noir Best Seller, the Sylvester Stallone prison drama Lock Up, and the Steven Seagal action film Out for Justice.

In the early 1990s, Flynn directed two made-for-cable-TV films: the Dennis Hopper cop film Nails and the crime drama Scam. In 1994, he directed Brainscan, a horror film about the dangers of virtual reality, starring Edward Furlong and Frank Langella.

Flynn's last film was the direct-to-video film Protection. He spent the last few years of his life mostly in France.[2]

Flynn died in his sleep on April 4, 2007 at his Los Angeles home. He is survived by his son Tara.[1]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Notes
1968 The Sergeant
1972 The Jerusalem File
1973 The Outfit
1977 Rolling Thunder
1980 Defiance
Marilyn: The Untold Story TV film
1983 Lone Star TV film
Touched
1987 Best Seller
1989 Lock Up
1991 Out for Justice
1992 Nails TV film
1993 Scam TV film
1994 Brainscan
1999 Absence of the Good TV film
2001 Protection

Unfilmed projects

[edit]
  • On the Day of His Death, from a short novel by Polish writer Marek Hłasko about immigrants in Israel - Flynn had wanted to make it since the 1960s[2]
  • a police procedural drama set in Paris "in the spirit of Le Samouraï[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c OBITUARIES; PASSINGS; John Flynn, 75; director known for 'The Outfit' and 'Rolling Thunder': [HOME EDITION] Los Angeles Times [Los Angeles, Calif] 20 Apr 2007: B.11. accessed 22 Feb 2015
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Harvey Chartand, "Interview with John Flynn", Shock Cinema 2005 accessed 16 February 2015
[edit]
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