Harold Becker

Harold Becker born September 25 1928 is American film and television director producer and photographer associated with the New Hollywood movement and best known for his work in the thriller genre He studied art and photography at the prestigious Pratt Institute and began his career as a designer and stills photographer He segued to directing TV commercials and short films including the awardwinning Ivanhoe Donaldson His directorial debut conducting a feature film was with the drama The Ragmans Daughter 1972 His second feature was the acclaimed The Onion Field 1979 a dark cop thriller starring John Savage and James Woods a remarkable role that brought him recognition from the public and several award nominations as Best Supporting Actor in the role of a dangerous and menacing cop killer In the 1980s Becker is a solid director who can work many different genres the comedy The Black Marble 1980 the military drama Taps 1981 where he directed youngsters Timothy Hutton Sean Penn and Tom Cruise alongside veteran George C Scott the sportsthemed film Vision Quest 1985 two musical videos for Madonna the heavy drug drama The Boost 1988 again collaborating with Woods and the neonoir Sea of Love 1989 where he resurrected the career of Al Pacino The boxoffice suspense Malice 1993 the political thriller City Hall 1996 and the action Mercury Rising 1998 compose Beckers career in the 1990s directing big Hollywood stars and establishing him as one of the most versatile directors of the period After the thriller Domestic Disturbance 2001 Becker never returned to film directing possibly retired after not having many invitations to directed another feature