John Frankenheimer

The Profile

John Michael Frankenheimer (February 19, 1930 – July 6, 2002) was an American film and television director known for political thrillers and technical virtuosity, active from the 1950s through 2002.

Worked in American television in the 1950s; directed The Manchurian Candidate (1962), Seven Days in May (1964), Seconds (1966) and Ronin (1998).

DeBaser reviews highlight Frankenheimer's strengths as a technically assured director (Seconds praised as an illuminating paranoia parable) and his old-school action virtuosity (Ronin criticized for excessive chases and thin plot). Reviews combine admiration for performances with critique of narrative weaknesses.