He died yesterday at the age of 87. William Friedkins: The great director was ready to take part in the 80th Venice Film Festival, but died at his home in Los Angeles due to heart failure and pneumonia.
There are many messages of condolence shared online by colleagues and friends, starting with Francis Ford Coppola, who founded the company of directors with Bogdanovich and Friedkin in the early seventies:
William Friedkin was my first filmmaker friend of our generation, I mourn the loss of a comrade I truly loved. His achievements in cinema are extraordinary and unique. He is the only colleague I know whose work actually saved a life (The People vs. Paul Crump). Billy’s work represents a real achievement in cinema, the list of which will never be forgotten; of course, The Hand of the Law, The Exorcist and The Sorcerer, but all of his films are full of his genius. Pick one at random and you’ll be enchanted. His short-tempered, short-tempered nature was a front for a large, handsome man who was brilliant and deeply sentimental. It is very difficult to understand that I will never be able to enjoy his company again, but at least his work will remain in his place.
Guillermo del Toro
The world has lost one of the Movie Gods. Cinema has lost a real Scientist, and I have lost a dear, true and true friend. William Friedkin has died. It was a blessing that he was with us.
Matt Reeves
What an impressive artist… I was greatly influenced by his incredible work on the screen and in the Theatre, at the Opera. His production of Puccini’s Suor Angelica is one of the most touching things I have ever seen. Legend. My thoughts are with Sherry and her children. RIP William Friedkin.
David Eyre
I am saddened by the death of William Friedkin. He had a huge impact on my career and was an incredible source of inspiration for me. He has always been incredibly positive about the industry and generously mentored other directors.
Stephen King
I very much regret the passing of William Friedkin, a very talented director. The Exorcist is great, but the real classic was Wrath of Fear.
John Carpenter
Bill Friedkin was a great director and friend. I will miss them both. Rest in peace, Bill.
Scott Derrickson
It has been an honor to have long conversations on Twitter with William Friedkin. He also asked my producers to send me a note through his wife telling me that he saw and loved the Black Phone, a gesture that I will always remember. Breakthrough and The Wage of Fear are two of the greatest films ever made.
Eli Roth
RIP the legendary William Friedkin. One of the most important directors of all time, who undoubtedly took my life in a different direction with The Exorcist. He was very supportive and incredibly sweet the few times I had the pleasure of meeting him. Check out “The Wage of Fear” and “Cruising” if you’ve never seen them. It was unique. Legend.
Christopher Moller
RIP William Friedkin, one of the best. This year I met him at his house and told him how much Wage of Fear meant to me and Phil Lord. In case you haven’t seen it, this isn’t about the Sorcerer, it’s about carrying nitroglycerin through the jungle, and it’s a masterclass in tension.
Edgar Wright
When I sat down this morning in Paris at 9 am to watch a screening of the restored edition of The Exorcist, it struck me as much as it did when I first saw it. This is such a unique and powerful film. I had no idea that this would be the day director William Friedkin died.
Friedkin was a fiery talent, a true visionary. This time it is not an exaggeration to say that his innovative methods have left an indelible mark on the film industry. His genius burned so brightly that it was sometimes difficult for him to keep up with his legacy, but who cares? He made classic films that still resonate (and I did this morning).
The cruel hand of the law showed insane prowess in action sequences, with an iconic car chase that is still unrivaled. The Exorcist scared audiences like never before with an unrivaled combination of documentary realism and practical effects.
In Wages of Fear, Friedkin embarks on a perilous journey through the jungle, all of which also takes place behind-the-scenes. Often referred to as the last bastion of 1970s cinema, this spellbinding classic has grown in cult every year.
His combination of technical excellence and commitment to realism extends to the controversial “Cruise” and the breathtaking scenes of “Live and Die in LA” (with another memorable car chase). It was great to see Friedkin return to his indie roots with his latest films like The Beetle and Killer Joe. His latest film, posthumously, will be screened in Venice next month.
I was lucky enough to meet Billy and he was as outgoing and generous as you can imagine. The last time I saw him in person was when he hosted a Baby Driver dinner party at the end of 2017. I was overwhelmed by his kind words about the film, as his action craftsmanship is second to none. As you can imagine, he was an incredible storyteller, and I highly recommend his autobiography, The Friedkin Connection, for some breathtaking accounts of what it took to make some of his monumental films.
How sad that he left us, but what a legacy he leaves us. I usually watch a movie in honor of someone when they left, so it’s more than strange and bittersweet that I already started my day with one.
Rest in peace Billy, it’s an honor to know you even a little.
Cover photo: YouTube