John Milius
Biography
John Milius is an American filmmaker. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Milius is known for writing iconic film lines, including "Charlie don't surf" and "I love the smell of napalm in the morning." He also wrote the famous Dirty Harry one-liners, including "Go ahead, make my day" and "Ask yourself one question, 'do I feel lucky?' Well, do you, punk?" Milius wrote the USS Indianapolis monologue in the film Jaws and was a screenwriter for Apocalypse Now, for which he received an Academy Award nomination. He also wrote and directed films such as The Wind and the Lion, Conan the Barbarian, and Red Dawn.
Career overview
John Milius is a renowned American filmmaker, known for his work as a writer and director in the film industry. He has written for several iconic films, including the first two Dirty Harry films, Apocalypse Now, The Wind and the Lion, Conan the Barbarian, and Red Dawn. Milius' writing has contributed to some of the most memorable film lines in history, such as "Charlie don't surf" and "I love the smell of napalm in the morning" from Apocalypse Now, and the famous Dirty Harry one-liners delivered by Clint Eastwood.
Milius' writing credits also include the USS Indianapolis monologue in the film Jaws, performed by Robert Shaw. His work often draws from real-life experiences and authentic accounts, as evident in Apocalypse Now, which was written in collaboration with Francis Ford Coppola, drawing from a range of authentic veteran and war reporter accounts. The film's dialogue, including some that may seem unbelievable today, has a real basis in fact.
Throughout his career, Milius has demonstrated a talent for crafting compelling stories and memorable characters, leaving a lasting impact on the film industry. His writing credits number 69, showcasing his prolific output and dedication to his craft. As a writer, Milius has established himself as a master of his trade, with a body of work that continues to be celebrated and studied by film enthusiasts and scholars alike.
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Career timeline
Full filmography
- Megalopolis (2024) Thanks
- Sword-and-Sandal: The Story of the Period Epic (2019) as Self - Filmmaker
- A Riddle of Steel: The Definitive History of Conan the Barbarian (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- Made in Hollywood: Die Welt des Raoul Walsh (2017) as Self
- The Lotus Gun (2015) Thanks
- Milius (2013) as Self
- Jaws: The Inside Story (2010) as Self
- The Business End: Violence in Cinema (2008) as Self
- Hollywood Gangster (2008) as Self
- The Craft of Dirty Harry (2008) as Self
- The Evolution of Clint Eastwood (2008) as Self
- A Moral Right: The Politics of Dirty Harry (2008) as Self
- Between the Lines: The True Story of Surfers and the Vietnam War (2008) as Narrator
- The Long Shadow of Dirty Harry (2008) as Self
- The Searchers: An Appreciation (2006) as Self
- Rome (2005) Writer
- Rome (2005) Executive Producer
- Rome (2005) Creator
- Riding Giants (2004) as John Milius
- A Legacy of Filmmakers: The Early Years of American Zoetrope (2004) as Self
- An Opera of Violence (2003) as Self - Filmmaker
- Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex 'n' Drugs 'n' Rock 'n' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood (2003) as Self
- The Wages of Sin (2003) as Self - Filmmaker
- Something to Do with Death (2003) as Self - Filmmaker
- Frazetta: Painting with Fire (2003) as Self
- Discovering Treasure: The Story of 'The Treasure of the Sierra Madre' (2003) as Narrator (voice)
- Iron and Beyond (2002) as Self - Director
- Dirty Harry: The Original (2001) as Self - Screenwriter
- Dino De Laurentiis: The Last Movie Mogul (2001) as Self
- Conan Unchained: The Making of 'Conan' (2000) as Self
- The Bridge on the River Kwai: An Appreciation by Filmmaker John Milius (2000) as Self
- Hell Hath No Fury: The Making of The Outlaw Josey Wales (1999) as Narrator
- A Turning of the Earth: John Ford, John Wayne and 'The Searchers' (1998) as Self (voice)
- Rough Riders (1997) Writer
- Rough Riders (1997) Director
- Rough Riders (1997) Creator
- In the Teeth of Jaws (1997) as Self
- The Making of '1941' (1996) as Self
- Shotgun Freeway: Drives Through Lost L.A. (1995) as self
- Clear and Present Danger (1994) Screenplay
- Rebel Highway (1994) Director
- Motorcycle Gang (1994) Director
- Geronimo: An American Legend (1993) Story
- Geronimo: An American Legend (1993) Screenplay
- Flight of the Intruder (1991) Director
- Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991) as Self
- Farewell to the King (1989) Screenplay
- Farewell to the King (1989) Director
- First Works (1989) as Self
- Extreme Prejudice (1987) Story
- Mackendrick: The Man Who Walked Away (1986) as Self
- The Twilight Zone (1985) Director
- Miami Vice (1984) Story
- Red Dawn (1984) Screenplay
- Red Dawn (1984) Director
- Uncommon Valor (1983) Producer
- Conan the Barbarian (1982) as Foodseller in Old City (uncredited)
- Conan the Barbarian (1982) Director
- Conan the Barbarian (1982) Screenplay
- Used Cars (1980) Executive Producer
- Apocalypse Now (1979) Writer
- Hardcore (1979) Executive Producer
- 1941 (1979) Executive Producer
- 1941 (1979) Story
- Big Wednesday (1978) Director
- Big Wednesday (1978) Writer
- The Wind and the Lion (1975) Director
- The Wind and the Lion (1975) Writer
- Melvin Purvis G-Man (1975) Teleplay
- Melvin Purvis G-Man (1975) Story
- Crazy Mama (1975) as Cop (uncredited)
- The Lion Roars Again (1975) as Self
- Magnum Force (1973) Screenplay
- Dillinger (1973) Director
- Dillinger (1973) Writer
- Marcello, I'm Bored (1973) Director
- Jeremiah Johnson (1972) Screenplay
- The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean (1972) Writer
- Deadhead Miles (1972) as State Trooper
- Evel Knievel (1971) Screenplay
- The Reversal of Richard Sun (1970) Director
- The Devil's Eight (1969) Screenplay
- The Emperor (1967) as Self
- The Emperor (1967) Writer