In his long career, cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond worked with a wide variety of directors and showed an equal breadth in his work, whether Westerns, sci-fi films or Hitchcockian mysteries. His breakthrough was 1971's "McCabe and Mrs. Miller," directed by Robert Altman and starring Warren Beatty and Julie Christie.
In his long career, cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond worked with a wide variety of directors and showed an equal breadth in his work, whether Westerns, sci-fi films or Hitchcockian mysteries. His breakthrough was 1971's "McCabe and Mrs. Miller," directed by Robert Altman and starring Warren Beatty and Julie Christie.
Warner Bros.
1972's "Deliverance," directed by John Boorman, featured four Atlanta men -- played by Burt Reynolds, left, Ned Beatty, right, Ronny Cox and Jon Voight -- taking on the North Georgia wilderness.
1972's "Deliverance," directed by John Boorman, featured four Atlanta men -- played by Burt Reynolds, left, Ned Beatty, right, Ronny Cox and Jon Voight -- taking on the North Georgia wilderness.
Warner Bros.
Brian DePalma's 1976 film "Obsession," starring Cliff Robertson, concerned a developer who can't get over the death of his wife and daughter.
Brian DePalma's 1976 film "Obsession," starring Cliff Robertson, concerned a developer who can't get over the death of his wife and daughter.
Sony Pictures
Zsigmond won an Oscar for his work on Steven Spielberg's 1977 film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," about an alien visitation and the people -- including Richard Dreyfuss -- enveloped in the drama.
Zsigmond won an Oscar for his work on Steven Spielberg's 1977 film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," about an alien visitation and the people -- including Richard Dreyfuss -- enveloped in the drama.
Columbia/Tri-Star
Robert De Niro uses a flame thrower in a scene from the film 1978's "The Deer Hunter," directed by Michael Cimino. The film, which won best picture, is about a group of steelworkers who serve in Vietnam.
Robert De Niro uses a flame thrower in a scene from the film 1978's "The Deer Hunter," directed by Michael Cimino. The film, which won best picture, is about a group of steelworkers who serve in Vietnam.
Universal/Getty Images
1979's "The Rose," starring Alan Bates and Bette Midler, was loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin. Midler earned an Oscar nomination for her performance in the film directed by Mark Rydell.
1979's "The Rose," starring Alan Bates and Bette Midler, was loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin. Midler earned an Oscar nomination for her performance in the film directed by Mark Rydell.
Stanley Bielecki Movie Collection/Moviepix/Getty Images
"Heaven's Gate," Cimino's 1980 film about the Johnson County War, has become synonymous with big-budget disasters. But few had complaints about Zsigmond's gorgeous photography. The movie starred Kris Kristofferson and Isabelle Huppert.
"Heaven's Gate," Cimino's 1980 film about the Johnson County War, has become synonymous with big-budget disasters. But few had complaints about Zsigmond's gorgeous photography. The movie starred Kris Kristofferson and Isabelle Huppert.
United Artists
Val Kilmer starred as a science whiz in 1985's "Real Genius," directed by Martha Coolidge.
Val Kilmer starred as a science whiz in 1985's "Real Genius," directed by Martha Coolidge.
Michael Ochs Archives/Moviepix/Getty Images
1987's "The Witches of Eastwick," based on the John Updike bestseller, starred Michelle Pfeiffer, Susan Sarandon and Cher as the title characters. George Miller directed.
1987's "The Witches of Eastwick," based on the John Updike bestseller, starred Michelle Pfeiffer, Susan Sarandon and Cher as the title characters. George Miller directed.
Warner Brothers/Everett Collection
DePalma's 1990 "The Bonfire of the Vanities" was a misfire as a movie, but Zsigmond's visuals give the film a spark. The movie was based on Tom Wolfe's bestseller and starred Melanie Griffith and Tom Hanks.
DePalma's 1990 "The Bonfire of the Vanities" was a misfire as a movie, but Zsigmond's visuals give the film a spark. The movie was based on Tom Wolfe's bestseller and starred Melanie Griffith and Tom Hanks.
Warner Bros.
Zsigmond did a bit of television in the latter part of his career -- including 24 episodes of "The Mindy Project," starring Mindy Kaling, rear left.
Zsigmond did a bit of television in the latter part of his career -- including 24 episodes of "The Mindy Project," starring Mindy Kaling, rear left.
FOX