Harold Becker

Regisseur, Producer

25 september 1928 (97 years)
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 award-winning Ivanhoe Donaldson. His directorial debut conducting a feature film was with the drama The Ragman's 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 1980's, 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 sports-themed film Vision Quest (1985); two musical videos for Madonna; the heavy drug drama The Boost (1988) again collaborating with Woods; and the neo-noir Sea of Love (1989) where he resurrected the career of Al Pacino.

The box-office suspense Malice (1993), the political thriller City Hall (1996) and the action Mercury Rising (1998) compose Becker's career in the 1990's 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.

Movies & Shows on Plex

  • Malice
    Malice1993
  • City Hall
    City Hall1996
  • Crazy for You
    Crazy for You1985
  • Vengeance: A Love Story
    Vengeance: A Love Story2017
  • Masters of Science Fiction
    Masters of Science Fiction1 season

Known For

  • Mercury Rising
    Mercury Rising1998
  • Sea of Love
    Sea of Love1989
  • Malice
    Malice1993
  • Domestic Disturbance
    Domestic Disturbance2001
  • City Hall
    City Hall1996
  • Taps
    Taps1981
  • Crazy for You
    Crazy for You1985
  • The Onion Field
    The Onion Field1979
  • The Boost
    The Boost1988
  • Masters of Science Fiction
    Masters of Science Fiction1 season
  • The Big Town
    The Big Town1987
  • The Black Marble
    The Black Marble1980
  • The Ragman's Daughter
    The Ragman's Daughter1972

Cinematografie

2017
Vengeance: A Love Story · as Executive ProducerOp Plex
2001
1996
City HallOp Plex
1993
MaliceOp Plex
1972

1997
The Directors · as Self

1988
The Boost · as Co-Executive Producer