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Melissa Mathison

Writing

Melissa Mathison

Born June 3, 1950 · Los Angeles, California, USA

Died November 4, 2015 · aged 65

Melissa Marie Mathison (June 3, 1950 – November 4, 2015) was an American film and television screenwriter and an activist for the Tibetan independence movement. She was best known for writing the screenplays for the films The Black Stallion (1979) and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), the latter of which earned her the Saturn Award for Best Writing and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best …

Known For

Apocalypse NowApocalypse Now · 1979
Apocalypse Now
★ 8.31979
MovieDramaWar
At the height of the Vietnam war, Captain Benjamin Willard is sent on a dangerous mission that, officially, "does not exist, nor will it ever exist." His goal is to locate - and eliminate - a mysterious Green Beret Colonel named Walter Kurtz, who has been leading his personal army on illegal guerrilla missions into enemy territory.
E.T. the Extra-TerrestrialE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial · 1982
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
★ 7.51982
MovieAdventureScience Fiction
An alien is left behind on Earth and saved by the 10-year-old Elliott who decides to keep him hidden in his home. While a task force hunts for the extra-terrestrial, Elliott, his brother, and his little sister Gertie form an emotional bond with their new friend, and try to help him find his way home.
The BFGThe BFG · 2016
The BFG
★ 6.32016
MovieAdventureFamily
An orphan little girl befriends a benevolent giant who takes her to Giant Country, where they attempt to stop the man-eating giants that are invading the human world.
The Indian in the CupboardThe Indian in the Cupboard · 1995
The Indian in the Cupboard
★ 6.51995
MovieAdventureFamily
A nine-year-old boy gets a plastic Indian and a cupboard for his birthday and finds himself involved in adventure when the Indian comes to life and befriends him.
Twilight Zone: The MovieTwilight Zone: The Movie · 1983
Twilight Zone: The Movie
★ 6.51983
MovieHorrorFantasy
An anthology film presenting remakes of three episodes from the "Twilight Zone" TV series—"Kick the Can", "It's a Good Life" and "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet"—and one original story, "Time Out."
The Black StallionThe Black Stallion · 1979
The Black Stallion
★ 7.11979
MovieFamilyAdventure
While traveling with his father, young Alec becomes fascinated by a mysterious Arabian stallion that is brought on board and stabled in the ship he is sailing on. When it tragically sinks both he and the horse survive only to be stranded on a deserted island. He befriends it, so when finally rescued both return to his home where they soon meet Henry Dailey, a once successful trainer. Together they begin training the horse to race against the fastest ones in the world.
KundunKundun · 1997
Kundun
★ 6.81997
MovieDramaHistory
From childhood to adulthood, Tibet's fourteenth Dalai Lama deals with Chinese oppression and other problems.
The Escape ArtistThe Escape Artist · 1982
The Escape Artist
★ 6.21982
MovieComedyCrime
The young and self-confident Danny bluffs at the local police-station that he will escape from prison within an hour. What follows is a flashback showing his childhood with his uncle and aunt, who are 'vaudeville'-artists themselves.

Filmography

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