Francis Ford Coppola (USA, b. 1939) is the oldest of the generation of 'movie brats', including Scorsese and Spielberg, who breathed new life into the Hollywood of the 1970s.

He revived the glory of the studio age with the legendary Godfather saga (1972 90), explored the soul of America at war in Vietnam with Apocalypse Now (1979) and has directed some of the greatest actors, including Brando, Pacino and De Niro.

Having outgrown the role of director decreed by the major studios, he is now an independent producer and continues to direct films with undimmed brilliance (Tetro, 2009).