Robert Zemeckis

Robert Lee Zemeckis (born May 14, 1951) is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. Zemeckis first came to public attention in the 1980s as the director of the comedic time-travel Back to the Future film series, as well as the Academy Award-winning live-action/animation epic Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), though in the 1990s he diversified into more dramatic fare, including 1994's Forrest Gump, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Director. His films are characterized by an interest in state-of-the-art special effects, including the early use of match moving in Back to the Future Part II (1989) and the pioneering performance capture techniques seen in The Polar Express (2004), Beowulf (2007) and A Christmas Carol (2009). Though Zemeckis has often been pigeonholed as a director interested only in effects, his work has been defended by several critics, including David Thomson, who wrote that "No other contemporary director has used special effects to more dramatic and narrative purpose."

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A Christmas Carol (2009)

ChristmasReal

Miser Ebenezer Scrooge is awakened on Christmas Eve by spirits who reveal to him his own miserable existence, what opportunities he wasted in his youth, his current cruelties, and the dire fate that awaits him if he does not change his ways. Scrooge is faced with ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Gary Oldman  •  Jim Carrey  •  Steve Valentine  •  Daryl Sabara

Miser Ebenezer Scrooge is awakened on Christmas Eve by spirits who reveal to him his own miserable existence, what opportunities he wasted in his youth, his current cruelties, and the dire fate that awaits him if he does not change his ways. Scrooge is faced with ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Gary Oldman  •  Jim Carrey  •  Steve Valentine  •  Daryl Sabara

The Polar Express (2004)

ChristmasEpicFast pacedUplifting

When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Tom Hanks  •  Michael Jeter  •  Chris Coppola  •  Eddie Deezen

When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Tom Hanks  •  Michael Jeter  •  Chris Coppola  •  Eddie Deezen

Forrest Gump (1994)

BeautifulBrilliantCharmingEmotional

A man with a low IQ has accomplished great things in his life and been present during significant historic events—in each case, far exceeding what anyone imagined he could do. But despite all he has achieved, his one true love eludes him.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Tom Hanks  •  Sally Field  •  Robin Wright  •  Mykelti Williamson

A man with a low IQ has accomplished great things in his life and been present during significant historic events—in each case, far exceeding what anyone imagined he could do. But despite all he has achieved, his one true love eludes him.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Tom Hanks  •  Sally Field  •  Robin Wright  •  Mykelti Williamson

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

OriginalFunnyCleverFantastical

'Toon star Roger is worried that his wife Jessica is playing pattycake with someone else, so the studio hires detective Eddie Valiant to snoop on her. But the stakes are quickly raised when Marvin Acme is found dead and Roger is the prime suspect.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Bob Hoskins  •  Christopher Lloyd  •  Joanna Cassidy  •  Charles Fleischer

'Toon star Roger is worried that his wife Jessica is playing pattycake with someone else, so the studio hires detective Eddie Valiant to snoop on her. But the stakes are quickly raised when Marvin Acme is found dead and Roger is the prime suspect.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Bob Hoskins  •  Christopher Lloyd  •  Joanna Cassidy  •  Charles Fleischer

Back to the Future (1985)

EnjoyableAdventurousClassicFunny

Eighties teenager Marty McFly is accidentally sent back in time to 1955, inadvertently disrupting his parents' first meeting and attracting his mother's romantic interest. Marty must repair the damage to history by rekindling his parents' romance and - with the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Michael J. Fox  •  Christopher Lloyd  •  Lea Thompson  •  Crispin Glover

Eighties teenager Marty McFly is accidentally sent back in time to 1955, inadvertently disrupting his parents' first meeting and attracting his mother's romantic interest. Marty must repair the damage to history by rekindling his parents' romance and - with the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Michael J. Fox  •  Christopher Lloyd  •  Lea Thompson  •  Crispin Glover

Back to the Future Part II (1989)

Action-packedClassicFunWhimsical

Marty and Doc are at it again in this wacky sequel to the 1985 blockbuster as the time-traveling duo head to 2015 to nip some McFly family woes in the bud. But things go awry thanks to bully Biff Tannen and a pesky sports almanac. In a last-ditch attempt to set ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Michael J. Fox  •  Christopher Lloyd  •  Lea Thompson  •  Elisabeth Shue

Marty and Doc are at it again in this wacky sequel to the 1985 blockbuster as the time-traveling duo head to 2015 to nip some McFly family woes in the bud. But things go awry thanks to bully Biff Tannen and a pesky sports almanac. In a last-ditch attempt to set ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Michael J. Fox  •  Christopher Lloyd  •  Lea Thompson  •  Elisabeth Shue

Back to the Future Part III (1990)

The final installment of the Back to the Future trilogy finds Marty digging the trusty DeLorean out of a mineshaft and looking for Doc in the Wild West of 1885. But when their time machine breaks down, the travelers are stranded in a land of spurs. More problems ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Michael J. Fox  •  Christopher Lloyd  •  Mary Steenburgen  •  Thomas F. Wilson

The final installment of the Back to the Future trilogy finds Marty digging the trusty DeLorean out of a mineshaft and looking for Doc in the Wild West of 1885. But when their time machine breaks down, the travelers are stranded in a land of spurs. More problems ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Michael J. Fox  •  Christopher Lloyd  •  Mary Steenburgen  •  Thomas F. Wilson

Beowulf (2007)

A 6th-century Scandinavian warrior named Beowulf embarks on a mission to slay the man-like ogre, Grendel.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Ray Winstone  •  Angelina Jolie  •  Anthony Hopkins  •  Robin Wright

A 6th-century Scandinavian warrior named Beowulf embarks on a mission to slay the man-like ogre, Grendel.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Ray Winstone  •  Angelina Jolie  •  Anthony Hopkins  •  Robin Wright

Cast Away (2000)

AdventurousEmotionalEpicThought provoking

Chuck Nolan, a top international manager for FedEx, and Kelly, a Ph.D. student, are in love and heading towards marriage. Then Chuck's plane to Malaysia crashes at sea during a terrible storm. He's the only survivor, and finds himself marooned on a desolate island. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Tom Hanks  •  Helen Hunt  •  Chris Noth  •  Paul Sanchez

Chuck Nolan, a top international manager for FedEx, and Kelly, a Ph.D. student, are in love and heading towards marriage. Then Chuck's plane to Malaysia crashes at sea during a terrible storm. He's the only survivor, and finds himself marooned on a desolate island. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Tom Hanks  •  Helen Hunt  •  Chris Noth  •  Paul Sanchez

Contact (1997)

EpicThought provoking

A radio astronomer receives the first extraterrestrial radio signal ever picked up on Earth. As the world powers scramble to decipher the message and decide upon a course of action, she must make some difficult decisions between her beliefs, the truth, and reality.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Jodie Foster  •  David Morse  •  Matthew McConaughey  •  James Woods

A radio astronomer receives the first extraterrestrial radio signal ever picked up on Earth. As the world powers scramble to decipher the message and decide upon a course of action, she must make some difficult decisions between her beliefs, the truth, and reality.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Jodie Foster  •  David Morse  •  Matthew McConaughey  •  James Woods

Death Becomes Her (1992)

Madeline is married to Ernest, who was once arch-rival Helen's fiance. After recovering from a mental breakdown, Helen vows to kill Madeline and steal back Ernest. Unfortunately for everyone, the introduction of a magic potion causes things to be a great deal more ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Meryl Streep  •  Bruce Willis  •  Goldie Hawn  •  Isabella Rossellini

Madeline is married to Ernest, who was once arch-rival Helen's fiance. After recovering from a mental breakdown, Helen vows to kill Madeline and steal back Ernest. Unfortunately for everyone, the introduction of a magic potion causes things to be a great deal more ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Meryl Streep  •  Bruce Willis  •  Goldie Hawn  •  Isabella Rossellini

I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978)

If they missed Beatles' first appearance in the U.S.A. they would hate themselves for the rest of their lives! So four young girls from New Jersey set off even though they don't have tickets for the show! The journey is full of surprises and misfortunes but the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Nancy Allen  •  Bobby Di Cicco  •  Wendie Jo Sperber  •  Susan Kendall Newman

If they missed Beatles' first appearance in the U.S.A. they would hate themselves for the rest of their lives! So four young girls from New Jersey set off even though they don't have tickets for the show! The journey is full of surprises and misfortunes but the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Nancy Allen  •  Bobby Di Cicco  •  Wendie Jo Sperber  •  Susan Kendall Newman

Romancing the Stone (1984)

AdventurousFunnySleep-throughRomantic

Though she can spin wild tales of passionate romance, novelist Joan Wilder has no life of her own. Then one day adventure comes her way in the form of a mysterious package. It turns out that the parcel is the ransom she'll need to free her abducted sister, so Joan ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Michael Douglas  •  Kathleen Turner  •  Danny DeVito  •  Zack Norman

Though she can spin wild tales of passionate romance, novelist Joan Wilder has no life of her own. Then one day adventure comes her way in the form of a mysterious package. It turns out that the parcel is the ransom she'll need to free her abducted sister, so Joan ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Michael Douglas  •  Kathleen Turner  •  Danny DeVito  •  Zack Norman

Used Cars (1980)

When the owner of a struggling used car lot is killed, it's up to the lot's hot-shot salesman to save the property from falling into the hands of the owner's ruthless brother and used-car rival.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Kurt Russell  •  Jack Warden  •  Frank McRae  •  Gerrit Graham

When the owner of a struggling used car lot is killed, it's up to the lot's hot-shot salesman to save the property from falling into the hands of the owner's ruthless brother and used-car rival.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Kurt Russell  •  Jack Warden  •  Frank McRae  •  Gerrit Graham

What Lies Beneath (2000)

When Claire Spencer starts hearing ghostly voices and seeing spooky images, she wonders if an otherworldly spirit is trying to contact her. All the while, her husband tries to reassure her by telling her it's all in her head. But as Claire investigates, she ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Harrison Ford  •  Michelle Pfeiffer  •  Diana Scarwid  •  James Remar

When Claire Spencer starts hearing ghostly voices and seeing spooky images, she wonders if an otherworldly spirit is trying to contact her. All the while, her husband tries to reassure her by telling her it's all in her head. But as Claire investigates, she ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Harrison Ford  •  Michelle Pfeiffer  •  Diana Scarwid  •  James Remar

Milius (2013)

The life story of ‘Zen Anarchist’ filmmaker John Milius, one of the most influential storytellers of his generation.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joey Figueroa  •  Zak Knutson
CAST:  John Milius  •  Steven Spielberg  •  George Lucas  •  Harrison Ford

The life story of ‘Zen Anarchist’ filmmaker John Milius, one of the most influential storytellers of his generation.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joey Figueroa  •  Zak Knutson
CAST:  John Milius  •  Steven Spielberg  •  George Lucas  •  Harrison Ford

Persistence of Vision (2012)

It was to be the greatest animated film of all time. Not just an eye-opener, but a game-changer. Richard Williams demanded nothing less, investing nearly three decades into his movie masterpiece. From as early as 1964 he ploughed most of the profits right back into ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kevin Schreck
CAST:  Richard Williams  •  Omar Ali-Shah  •  Charles Fleischer  •  Robin Williams

It was to be the greatest animated film of all time. Not just an eye-opener, but a game-changer. Richard Williams demanded nothing less, investing nearly three decades into his movie masterpiece. From as early as 1964 he ploughed most of the profits right back into ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kevin Schreck
CAST:  Richard Williams  •  Omar Ali-Shah  •  Charles Fleischer  •  Robin Williams

Two-Fisted Tales (1992)

The foul-mouthed, wheelchair-bound Mr. Rush introduces three adventure tales inspired by the EC Comics of the 1950s: "Showdown," "King of the Road," and "Yellow." This star-studded telefilm was an attempt to launch a second anthology series in the mold of "Tales ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis  •  Richard Donner  •  Tom Holland
CAST:  Brad Pitt  •  William Sadler  •  David Morse  •  Kirk Douglas

The foul-mouthed, wheelchair-bound Mr. Rush introduces three adventure tales inspired by the EC Comics of the 1950s: "Showdown," "King of the Road," and "Yellow." This star-studded telefilm was an attempt to launch a second anthology series in the mold of "Tales ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis  •  Richard Donner  •  Tom Holland
CAST:  Brad Pitt  •  William Sadler  •  David Morse  •  Kirk Douglas

Flight (2012)

GrippingBrilliantIntenseFast paced

Commercial airline pilot Whip Whitaker has a problem with drugs and alcohol, though so far he's managed to complete his flights safely. His luck runs out when a disastrous mechanical malfunction sends his plane hurtling toward the ground. Whip pulls off a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Denzel Washington  •  Don Cheadle  •  Bruce Greenwood  •  Kelly Reilly

Commercial airline pilot Whip Whitaker has a problem with drugs and alcohol, though so far he's managed to complete his flights safely. His luck runs out when a disastrous mechanical malfunction sends his plane hurtling toward the ground. Whip pulls off a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Denzel Washington  •  Don Cheadle  •  Bruce Greenwood  •  Kelly Reilly

The Secrets of the Back to the Future Trilogy (1990)

The Secrets of the Back to the Future Trilogy was a program hosted by Kirk Cameron. The show answered questions that Back to the Future fans sent in by letter. It was released onto videocassette in 1990 and as a bonus feature on the disc for Back to the Future ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peyton Reed
CAST:  Kirk Cameron  •  Michael J. Fox  •  Thomas F. Wilson  •  Mary Steenburgen

The Secrets of the Back to the Future Trilogy was a program hosted by Kirk Cameron. The show answered questions that Back to the Future fans sent in by letter. It was released onto videocassette in 1990 and as a bonus feature on the disc for Back to the Future ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peyton Reed
CAST:  Kirk Cameron  •  Michael J. Fox  •  Thomas F. Wilson  •  Mary Steenburgen
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