Biography
Brian Russell De Palma is an American film director and writer. In a career spanning over forty years, he is probably best known for his suspense and crime thriller films. De Palma was a leading member of the New Hollywood generation of film directors. His direction often makes use of quotations from other films or cinematic styles, and bears the influence of filmmakers such as Alfred Hitchcock, Jean-Luc Godard, and Michelangelo Antonioni. His work has been criticized for its violence and sexual...
Known For
Complete Filmography

Desperate Souls, Dark City and the Legend of Midnight Cowboy
2023
as Self
This is not a documentary about the making of Midnight Cowboy. It is about a humane and groundbreaking masterpiece and the flawed but gifted people wh...

Ennio
2022
as Self
A portrait of Ennio Morricone, the most popular and prolific film composer of the 20th century, the one most loved by the international public, a two-...

Domino
2019
Director
Seeking justice for his partner’s murder by an ISIS member, a Copenhagen police officer finds himself caught in a cat and mouse game with a duplicitou...

Spielberg
2017
as Self
A documentary on the life and career of one of the most influential film directors of all time, Steven Spielberg.

De Palma
2016
as Self
An intimate conversation between filmmakers, chronicling De Palma’s 55-year career, his life, and his filmmaking process, with revealing anecdotes and...

Passion
2013
Screenplay, Director
The rivalry between the manipulative boss of an advertising agency and her talented protégée escalates from stealing credit to public humiliation to m...

Walk of Fame
2012
Thanks
Jake Taylor, frustrated with Hollywood and trying to make it, caves into his demons.

The 'Scarface' Phenomenon
2011
as Self
This all-new documentary presents "Scarface" as a unique phenomenon in cinema history. It explores how a film plagued by controversy leading up to its...

Godard Made in USA
2010
as Self
Documentary by Luc Lagier exploring Godard's career as a filmmaker, the production of Breathless and his influence and his relationship with American ...

Redacted
2007
Director, Writer
A fictional documentary discusses the effects the Iraq war has had on soldiers and local people through interviews with members of an American militar...

Sisters
2006
Original Story, Screenplay
A reporter witnesses a brutal murder and becomes entangled in a mystery involving a pair of twins.

The Black Dahlia
2006
as Elizabeth's Screen Test Director (voice) (uncredited)
In 1940s Los Angeles, two former boxers-turned-cops must grapple with corruption, narcissism, stag films and family madness as they pursue the killer ...

The Black Dahlia
2006
Director
In 1940s Los Angeles, two former boxers-turned-cops must grapple with corruption, narcissism, stag films and family madness as they pursue the killer ...

Paradise Regained: Brian de Palma's 'Phantom of the Paradise'
2006
as Himself
A 50-minute documentary on the making of the film featuring director Brian De Palma, producer Edward R. Pressman, the late star William Finley, star a...

Gangland: Bullets over Hollywood
2005
"Bullets Over Hollywood" delves into America's fascination with gangsters and features historical perspective, analysis, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, ...

The Autopsy
2004
as Self
A documentary about the making of Brian De Palma's 1973 film "Sisters" including interviews with the cast and crew.

Black Dahlia Confidential
2004
The murder of a young Hollywood actress Elizabeth Short in 1947 is the oldest unsolved murder case in Los Angeles. New information and clues may help ...

The Untouchables: Re-Inventing the Genre
2004
as Self
Cast and crew members from The Untouchables recall the production.

The Untouchables: Production Stories
2004
as Self
Cast and crew from "The Untouchables" share production stories.

The Untouchables: The Script, the Cast
2004
as Self
Brian DePalma and Art Linson discuss how the 1987 film "The Untouchables" came together.

The Untouchables: The Classic
2004
as Self
Brian DePalma, Art Linson, Charles Martin Smith discussing "The Untouchables."

The Making of 'Carlito's Way'
2003
as Self
A documentary about the making of "Carlito's Way."

Femme Fatale: Dream Within a Dream
2003
as Self
A documentary about Brian de Palma's "Femme Fatale."

Femme Fatale
2002
Writer, Director
A $10-million diamond rip-off, a stolen identity, a new life married to a diplomat. Laure Ash has risked big, won big. But then a tabloid shutterbug s...

Brian De Palma : Les Années 60
2002
Documentary about Brian De Palma's films in the 60's.

The Making of 'Casualties of War'
2001
as Self
Documentary made for the film's 2001 DVD release.

Acting 'Carrie'
2001
as Self
In this documentary, director Brian De Palma and the stars from his film "Carrie" (such as Sissy Spacek, Amy Irving, Piper Laurie, William Katt, Nancy...

Visualizing 'Carrie'
2001
as Self
The making of "Carrie" (1976) is presented on the film's 25th anniversary with interviews with director Brian De Palma, editor Paul Hirsch, art direct...

The Making of 'Dressed to Kill'
2001
as Self
Produced as part of the DVD release for 'Dressed to Kill', this documentary gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this thrilling murder...

'Obsession' Revisited
2001
as Self
A documentary about the making of 1976's "Obsession" featuring interviews with director Brian De Palma, stars Cliff Robertson and Genevieve Bujold and...

Bruce Springsteen: The Complete Video Anthology 1978-2000
2001
Director
The video kicks off from a 1978 performance of 'Rosalita' with a 29 year old Bruce wailing away with chicks jumpin' on the stage grabbing him! Lucky g...

Slashing 'Dressed to Kill'
2001
as Self
Exploring the edits to receive an R rating from the MPAA.

Mission to Mars
2000
Director
When the first manned mission to Mars meets with a catastrophic and mysterious disaster after reporting an unidentified structure, a rescue mission is...

Hitchcock: Shadow of a Genius
1999
as Self
This documentary is a fascinating look at the cinematic genius of Alfred Hitchcock. Briefly covering much of his early British works, the film primari...

Stir of Echoes
1999
Thanks
After being hypnotized by his sister-in-law, Tom Witzky begins seeing haunting visions of a girl's ghost and a mystery begins to unfold around her.

Snake Eyes
1998
Producer, Story, Director
All bets are off when shady homicide cop Rick Santoro witnesses a murder during a boxing match. It's up to him and lifelong friend, Naval intelligence...

The Making of 'Scarface'
1998
as Self
A 52-minute documentary on "Scarface," both the making of the film and its reception.

Mission: Impossible
1996
Director
When Ethan Hunt, the leader of a crack espionage team whose perilous operation has gone awry with no explanation, discovers that a mole has penetrated...

Ennio Morricone
1995
as Self
From his quirky compositions for the spaghetti Westerns of Sergio Leone to his sublime musical contributions to director Roland Joffé's acclaimed 1986...
Rotwang Must Go!
1994
as Famous American Movie Director
A comedy directed by Hans-Christoph Blumenberg.

Quentin Tarantino: Hollywood's Boy Wonder
1994
as Self
A documentary profile on Quentin Tarantino broadcast by the BBC's "Omnibus" strand in 1994 to coincide with "Pulp Fiction" hitting UK cinemas.

Carlito's Way
1993
Director
Free after years in prison, Carlito Brigante intends to give up his criminal ways, but it's not long before the ex-con is sucked back into the New Yor...

Raising Cain
1992
Screenplay, Director
Child psychologist Carter Nix is a loving and caring family man, but under this appearance lies a dark and troubled past. Grappling with the consequen...

The Bonfire of the Vanities
1990
Director, Producer
After his mistress runs over a black teen, a Wall Street hotshot sees his life unravel in the spotlight; A down-and-out reporter breaks the story and ...

The Scorsese Machine
1990
as Self
Amazing documentary shows rarely seen side of a master director. 1990 was a very good year for Martin Scorsese. After making a diverse group of films ...

Casualties of War
1989
Director
During the Vietnam War, a soldier finds himself the outsider of his own squad when they unnecessarily kidnap a female villager.

Movies Are My Life
1988
as Self
The very first full-length documentary on Scorsese offers an invaluable look at how he was perceived by his colleagues, and himself, in 1977. Catching...

The Untouchables
1987
Director
Elliot Ness, an ambitious prohibition agent, is determined to take down Al Capone. In order to achieve this goal, he forms a group given the nickname ...

Wise Guys
1986
Director
Harry Valentini and Moe Dickstein are both errand boys for the Mob. When they lose $250,000, they are set up to kill each other. But they run off to A...

Body Double
1984
Director, Screenplay, Producer
After losing an acting role and his girlfriend, Jake Scully finally catches a break: he gets offered a gig house-sitting in the Hollywood Hills. While...

Scarface
1983
Director
After getting a green card in exchange for assassinating a Cuban government official, Tony Montana stakes a claim on the drug trade in Miami. Viciousl...

Blow Out
1981
Director, Writer
While recording sound effects for a slasher flick, Jack Terry stumbles upon a real-life horror: a car careening off a bridge and into a river. Jack ju...

Dressed to Kill
1980
Director, Writer
After witnessing a mysterious woman brutally slay a homemaker, prostitute Liz Blake finds herself trapped in a dangerous situation. While the police t...

Home Movies
1980
Director, Story, Producer
A cult guru urges a shy disciple to make life a movie and be its star.

The Fury
1978
Director
When a devious plot separates CIA agent Peter Sandza from his son, Robin, the distraught father manages to see through the ruse. Taken because of his ...

Carrie
1976
Director
Withdrawn and sensitive teen Carrie White faces taunting from classmates at school and abuse from her fanatically pious mother. When strange occurrenc...

Obsession
1976
Director, Story
A wealthy New Orleans businessman becomes obsessed with a young woman who resembles his late wife.

Phantom of the Paradise
1974
Director, Writer
Singer-songwriter Winslow Leach seeks revenge on the nefarious music producer Swan, who steals both Winslow's music and his favorite singer for the gr...

Sisters
1973
Screenplay, Director, Original Story
Inquisitive journalist Grace Collier is horrified when she witnesses her neighbor, fashion model Danielle Breton, violently murder a man. Panicking, s...

Get to Know Your Rabbit
1972
Director
A young businessman goes to a magic expert to learn hardness and skill with his cynical and greedy collaborators. He becomes a very good tap dancer, b...

Hi, Mom!
1970
Director, Screenplay, Story
Vietnam vet Jon Rubin returns to New York and rents a rundown flat in Greenwich Village. It is in this flat that he begins to film, 'Peeping Tom' styl...

Dionysus in '69
1970
Director, Cinematography, Editor
Filmed stageplay based on the ancient greek play The Bacchae written by Euripides. This play is performed by members of The Performance Group, an NYC ...

The Wedding Party
1969
Writer, Director, Producer
Young Charlie begins to develop a case of cold feet as his upcoming wedding looms nearer. Desperate to throw the wedding plans off the track, Charlie ...

To Bridge This Gap
1969
Director
This documentary highlights the state-sponsored discrimination faced by African Americans in the 1960s and the relentless work by Legal Defence Fund's...

Greetings
1968
as Man smoking in front of draft office (uncredited)
Three friends in New York City discuss how to dodge the draft and Vietnam, JFK's assassination, voyeurism, computer dating, and everything else.

Greetings
1968
Director, Writer, Editor
Three friends in New York City discuss how to dodge the draft and Vietnam, JFK's assassination, voyeurism, computer dating, and everything else.

Murder à la Mod
1968
Director, Writer, Editor
Naive young Karen wants to help her struggling amateur filmmaker boyfriend Christopher raise enough money so he can divorce his wife. Meanwhile, jolly...
Show Me a Strong Town and I'll Show You a Strong Bank
1966
Director
A documentary short film directed by Brian De Palma.
The Responsive Eye
1965
Cinematography, Editor, Director
Before Brian De Palma became a narrative film maker he made documentaries. Among them is The Responsive Eye, which chronicles the Museum of Modern Art...
Jennifer
1964
Director
A short directed by Brian de Palma.

Woton's Wake
1963
Director, Writer
Woton Wretchichevsky has a disfigured face, dresses in a cloak and mask, and stalks couples to burn them with a blowtorch. He is also a sculptor of st...

660124: The Story of an IBM Card
1961
Director
Known as a 5081 what was its role in the industry?

Icarus
1960
Director
A story about the god Pan arriving in New York that pokes fun at the very programmed dimension of modern life.

Brian De Palma par Brian De Palma Leçon de cinéma
N/A
as Brian De Palma
Lights Out
N/A
Director
The story follows a blind Chinese girl who gets caught in a plot to expose a top-secret assassination program.
Sweet Vengeance
N/A
Writer, Director
Plot unknown. Reportedly a murder mystery inspired by two real-life murders.
Catch and Kill
N/A
Director, Writer
Described as a horror film set in Hollywood and featuring a predatory movie mogul. Further details TBA.
Stalkings
N/A
Director
TBA. Casting in progress.