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ROMEO and Juliet film director Franco Zeffirelli died at home on June 15, 2019.

The Italian film legend was best known for his 1968 Shakespeare adaptation, but he also directed a string of other classics. Here's what we know about the movie maestro

 Franco Zeffirelli died at home, his son confirmed
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Franco Zeffirelli died at home, his son confirmedCredit: Rex Features

Who was Franco Zeffirelli?

From his illegitimate birth on the outskirts of Florence on February 12, 1923, Zeffirelli rose to be one of Italy's most prolific directors, working with such opera greats as Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and his beloved Maria Callas, as well Hollywood stars including Mel Gibson, Cher and Judi Dench.

He delighted audiences around the world with his romantic vision and often extravagant productions, most famously captured in his cinematic rendering of Romeo and Juliet and the miniseries Jesus of Nazareth.

Showing great flexibility, he produced classics for the world's most famous opera houses, from Milan's venerable La Scala to the Metropolitan in New York, and plays for London and Italian stages.

Often appreciated more by the public than critics, Zeffirelli was the last of a generation of Italian film giants who came of age after World War Two and included Federico Fellini, Luchino Visconti and Vittorio De Sica.

Claiming no favourites, Zeffirelli once likened himself to a sultan with a harem of three: film, theater and opera.

Speaking in 2006, he said: "I am not a film director. I am a director who uses different instruments to express his dreams and his stories to make people dream."

How did he die?

Zefffirelli's son Luciano said his father died after a short illness at his home in Rome at noon on Saturday, June 15, 2019.

He said: "He had suffered for a while, but he left in a peaceful way."

Dario Nardella, the mayor of Zeffirelli's home city of Florence, announced on Twitter: "Franco Zeffirelli, one of the world's greatest men of culture, passed away this morning.

"Goodbye dear Maestro, Florence will never forget you."

 Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey in the title roles of Franco Zeffirelli's film version of Shakespeare's 'Romeo And Juliet'
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Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey in the title roles of Franco Zeffirelli's film version of Shakespeare's 'Romeo And Juliet'Credit: Getty - Contributor

What films did he direct?

Zefffirelli directed more than two dozen films, working with stars including Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Laurence Olivier, Alec Guinness, Faye Dunaway, and Jon Voight.

Throughout his career, Zeffirelli took risks and his audacity paid off at the box office.

His screen success in America was a rarity among Italian filmmakers, and he prided himself on knowing the tastes of modern moviegoers.

He was one of the few Italian directors close to the Vatican, and the church turned to Zeffirelli's theatrical touch for live telecasts of the 1978 papal installation and the 1983 Holy Year opening ceremonies in St. Peter's Basilica.

Former Premier Silvio Berlusconi also tapped him to direct a few high-profile events.

But Zeffirelli was best known outside Italy for his colourful, softly-focused romantic films.

Trailer for 1968 version of Romeo and Juliet directed by Franco Zeffirelli

His 1978 Romeo and Juliet brought Shakespeare's story to a new and appreciative generation, and his "Brother Sun, Sister Moon," told the life of St. Francis in parables involving modern and 13th-century youth.

He received an honorary knighthood from the British government in 20014, made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.


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