Brian De Palma

Brian De Palma Biography

Brian De Palma was born on 11th of September 1940 in New Jersey. He was brought up by various Quaker and Protestant schools. He became interested in film making after he watched Citizen Kane and Vertigo. Brian De Palma enrolled at Sarah Lawrence college, as a graduate in Physics from Columbia University. While he was there he was influenced by Andy Warhol and Alfred Hitchcocks.

De Plama has made a variety of successful thriller films such as Obsession (1976), Scareface (1983) and The Untouchables (1987).

Obsession was inspired by the narrative of Alfed Hitchcocks movie 'Vertigo' (1958). The film is about a business man called Michael Courtland who is haunted by the death of his wife and daughter after a kidnapping - rescuing attempt. His business partner Robert convinces Michael to come on a business trip. While Michael is there he meets a women who looks exactly like his deceased wife. They eventually marry but on their wedding night she is kidnapped and ransom not is left by the kidnappers. It is an exact replica of the abductors message 15 years ago.

Scareface is an action thriller about a gangster Tony Montana, who ends up having his perfect world torn apart by his wife leaving him, and someone who is trying to kill him. He kills his best friend - the only person who was loyal to him, due to a misunderstanding, his sister in spite tries to kill him but is shot by a hitman. Tony kills the hitman and as a result that action leads to his destruction.

The Untouchables is based on a true story, of the prohibition of alcohol and how the treasury department took down Al Capone. Tension and suspense is built throughout the film, especially the grand central station scene, as it makes the audience wander will they catch Al Capone, will the protagonists get hurt and will the baby in the pram be saved in time?