R.I.P George P. Cosmatos
 

Director George P. Cosmatos, best known for box-office hits Rambo II (1985) and Tombstone (1993) plus other great films, died earlier this week aged 64 in Victoria which he often called "my resting place."

He had recently been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Cosmatos, who made his mark as a director of international epics such as Massacre in Rome (1973), worked with a who's who of stars, including Sophia Loren, Burt Lancaster, Lee Strasberg, Donald Sutherland and Richard Burton.

"He was full of restless curiosity, always trying to figure things out," recalled Victoria-raised filmmaker Atom Egoyan. "He had this incredible hunger and passion for knowledge. I think he made some great films, like Tombstone. He was such a great craftsman."

Born in Florence, Italy and raised in Egypt and Cyprus, Cosmatos studied international affairs at University College in London before breaking into film.

A graduate of London Film School, he got his start as assistant director on Otto Preminger's Exodus (1960), played a small role in Zorba the Greek (1964) and wrote for the film journal Sight and Sound.

He gained a reputation for being able to handle complex action shoots and specialized in aerial photography, narrowly avoiding being killed in a helicopter crash while filming The Cassandra Crossing (1976).

R.I.P

R.I.P

He made some great movies.......

R.I.F.P

May many maggot become enlightened as they feast upon his rotting brain.