Entertainment
R.I.P. Saul Zaentz: A Look at the Oscar Winning Producer's Greatest Hits
“Passion is [the] immeasurable, indescribable factor that separates movie from movie,” three-time oscar winning producer Saul Zaentz said in his Thalberg acceptance speech. “Passion moves freely across borders, speaks every language and flourishes in every culture. The movement of passion is the most gratifying satisfaction in any moviemaker's life. This happens when you see and hear people all over the world share their laughter, their crying and their sudden gasps at identical screen moments." Zaentz, who passed away in his home in San Francisco at 92 from Alzheimer's complications, is the definition of a self made man. Running away from home at age 15, Zaentz earned some money gambling, joined the army, and was hired as a salesman for Fantasy Records, which he later owned. With the success of Creedence Clearwater Revival, and many feuds with frontman John Fogerty, Zaentz made enough money to independently finance his own films, most of which garnered enormous critical acclaim. Zaentz's producing talents won him the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award for lifetime achievement at the 1997 Oscars.
Paying tribute to Zaentz's life's work, we take a look at his most memorable films during his time as one of the greatest independent producers of all time.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
It’s hard to believe that this 1975 adaptation of the brilliant Ken Kesey novel was Zaentz’s first produced film. I can say without a doubt that this is one of the greatest films of all time, as clearly demonstrated by its prominence on many top 100 film lists and the simple fact that it won Oscars in the five most important categories (Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Director, and Best Writing), only the second film to do so. Zaentz rose to the challenge of bringing Kesey’s seminal work on the brutal and little-understood world of insane asylums to life. Everything about this film is perfect, so thank you Saul, for allowing us to experience this truly magnificent work.
Image: Courtesy of Fantasy Studios
Amadeus
In this 1984 film about the brilliance of Mozart, as told by his little-known rival Antonio Salieri, Zaentz’s history in the music industry shines through. Throughout elementary school, we were required to watch this film in music class every year, and each year the film revealed more to my aging mind. Mozart’s lewd genius is hard to understand, which is what makes this film so intriguing. The winner of eight oscars, and a second for producer Zaentz, Amadeus takes the viewer through a tale of jealously, intrigue, mystery, and music, and is certainly worth the watch.
Image: Courtesy of Warner Brothers
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
While this adaptation of Kundra’s novel was pretty much a complete separation from the book, (which is a fantastic and worthwhile read), I give Zaentz props for trying. The producer clearly has a penchant for developing films from critically acclaimed works, (see: his animated version of Lord of the Rings), and not every one can be as good as One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Despite hate from the critics, I loved Daniel Day Lewis in this film, and the cinematography makes it worth Juliette Binoche’s more cringe-worthy moments.
Image: Courtesy of Orion Pictures
The English Patient
Despite the fact that I found this movie to be a little too self-involved, I have to yield to the brilliance of this love story and its nine Oscars. The classic tale of a nurse and WWII burn victim, The English Patient contains a star-studded cast that overcomes its excessive length. Zaentz found huge box office success with this film, (which he needed after a few costly flops), and I believe Roger Ebert was right when he said, “it’s the kind of movie you can see twice – first for the questions, the second time for the answers.” Well done Zaentz, well done.
Image: Courtesy of Miramax Films
