One of my favorite director's is also one of the most underrated. That is Stanley Kramer. He directed The Defiant Ones, Inherit the Wind, Judgment at Nuremberg, It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. He is my biggest inspiration for going into movies (I'm applying to CSU Fullerton and CSU Northridge for their film schools next year).

Another one that I think is underrated is Norman Jewison. He was the one who brought us In the Heat of the Night, which is an excellent movie and it also won an Oscar for Best Picture.

What directors do you think are underrated? And please give a reason.

Adrian Lyne (Flashdance/Fatal Attraction)
Michael Mann (Manhunter/Heat)

They both have a great visual style.

Mel Brooks
John Landis
Tom Hanks
John Hughes

arthour hiller robert mulligan and kevin smith

Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Jarhead)
David Finicher (Fight Club, Panic Room)

And even though hes not underrated to people who love film, I don't think enough 'young' people have seen Hitchcock's work. Sure, everyone knows Psycho, but thats not even his best movie!

And even though hes not underrated to people who love film, I don't think enough 'young' people have seen Hitchcock's work. Sure, everyone knows Psycho, but thats not even his best movie!


I LOVE Hitchcock and I am only 29. :)

Richard Linklater.
Rob Reiner.

Roger Avary

His movie "Killing Zoe" was extremely underrated and unfairly compared to Quentin Tarrantino's work. (They were writing partners at one time.)

Adrian Lyne (Flashdance/Fatal Attraction)
And one of my favorites, Unfaithful.

Kevin Smith all the way!

Brad Silberling. He directed "Casper", "City of Angels", "Moonlight Mile" and "Lemony Snicket's". He's a good director, but I don't see him get as much recognition for his films as much as other directors like Steven Spielberg and Ron Howard.

Also as far as the past-time directors go, who might not get as much recognition from young people now are Frank Capra and Alfred Hitchcock. Capra's "Its a Wonderful Life"
and Hitchcock's "Rear Window" are classics.

Also, George Cukor who directed great films like: "The Philadelphia Story" and "Adam's Rib".

And, Blake Edwards who directed "Breakfast at Tiffany's" starring Audrey Hepburn and "The Party" starring Peter Sellers.

I LOVE Hitchcock and I am only 29. :)

I love Hitchcock and I'm 17.

Robert Rodriguez.
I really started to respect this guy when I was listening to his commentary on the dvd for Spy Kids 2. He just has this "anyone can do this" type of personality, which I don't really see in many directors. That, and he actually gives alot of tips as to how you can do it, which helps give motivation to aspiring movie-maker wannabes, like me.:D
That alone would give him my vote as an underrated director, but it helps that I also like his directing style as well.

What's weird is that I have heard that he and Quentin Tarantino are good friends, but I really think that Tarantino is one of the most Overrated directors around. I really don't like his films very much. A lot of style, very little to no substance, IMO.

And one of my favorites, Unfaithful.


I agree. Unfaithful is a great movie. :)

iI say either Mel Brooks or Stanley Kramer. :)


Mel brooks obviously for BLAZING SDDLES which no one can beat it! (Good thing it came out when it did)