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Robert Wise

Robert Wise (born 10th September 1914 as Robert E. Wise in Winchester, Indiana, USA; died 14th September 2005) was an American film director.

Starting with editorial credit on critics' favourite "Citizen Kane (1941)" through the most financially successful film of its time "The Sound Of Music (1965)" and several other classic movies, Robert Wise is one of Hollywood's greatest ever filmmakers.

His signature was perfect pacing (something another directorial master David Lean always had in full control) and a consistent ability to draw superb performances from all involved.

Though he produced classic horror "The Haunting (1963)", undisputed classic sci-fi "The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951)", submarine classic "Run Silent, Run Deep (1958)", disputed sci-fi classics "The Andromeda Strain" and "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" and many other quality movies, the one he will be remembered for will be "The Sound Of Music (1965)" which is regarded by many as the greatest movie musical of all time and was rewarded by becoming the most financially successful movie up to that time.


What members say | Filmography

Robert Wise - what members say


  • Run Silent, Run Deep
  • Run Silent, Run Deep review by from Andover, Hampshire England
    Rated - 4 stars Gable goes Gung Ho! 6 May 2009
    ...dit, this film is pretty authentic in plot, procedures and pace. Directed by Robert Wise whose credits include 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' (1951), The Sand Pebbles ...  
  • Star Trek 1 - The Motion Picture
  • Star Trek 1 - The Motion Picture review by from Warrington
    Rated - 4 stars Finally, the movie we should have had in 1979. 6 November 2003
    ...ly empty was the best way to describe the picture as a whole. However, Director Robert Wise always wanted it to be something more and thankfully Paramount have let him fin...  
  • The Day The Earth Stood Still
  • The Day The Earth Stood Still review by Welshslider from Cwmbran, Wales
    Rated - 5 stars Ahead of its time 30 May 2007
    ...The Day the Earth Stood Still directed by Robert Wise of 'The Sound of Music' fame quite simply created a classic that is way ahead of its time. During a time when B-movi...  

Robert Wise - filmography


  • The Andromeda Strain on DVD (1970)
    Starring: Arthur Hill,  David Wayne,  James Olson
    Director: Robert Wise
    Certificate: Certificate: PG
    When a small space probe falls to earth in a remote village of New Mexico, all but two of the town's inhabitants--an infant and an old alcoholic--meet death as their blood turns to powder. After two reconnaissance pilots have also perished, a national state of emergency is declared. The two ..read more »
    Rate this: 3.5 stars out of 5 68% from 2,048 members
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  • Star! on DVD (1968)
    Starring: Julie Andrews,  Richard Crenna,  Michael Craig
    Director: Robert Wise
    Certificate: Certificate: PG
    A musical biography of British music hall and Broadway star Gertrude Lawrence, STAR is a convincing and entertaining film, featuring an impressive score. The immensely talented Julie Andrews plays Lawrence, a beautiful, headstrong, and fiercely independent woman who will do anything for her career (..read more »
    Rate this: 3 stars out of 5 62% from 191 members
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  • The Sand Pebbles on DVD (1966)
    Starring: Steve McQueen,  Candice Bergen,  Richard Attenborough
    Director: Robert Wise
    Certificate: Certificate: 15
    One of the most exciting and heart-wrenching epics ever made, THE SAND PEBBLES is a masterpiece of storytelling, with exceptional performances by a stellar cast. The complex tale begins simply enough in 1926 China, where a group of American soldiers are patrolling the Yangtze River on a gunboat ..read more »
    Rate this: 3.5 stars out of 5 67% from 784 members
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  • The Sound Of Music on DVD (1965)
    Starring: Julie Andrews,  Christopher Plummer,  Eleanor Parker
    Director: Robert Wise
    Certificate: Certificate: U
    Shot in Salzburg against the majestic Bavarian Alps, THE SOUND OF MUSIC is considered one of the greatest screen musicals ever made. Winner of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director (Robert Wise), the film, based on a real family and their true events, tells the story of a ..read more »
    Rate this: 3.5 stars out of 5 70% from 15,695 members
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  • The Haunting on DVD (1963)
    Starring: Julie Harris,  Claire Bloom,  Richard Johnson
    Director: Robert Wise
    Certificate: Certificate: 12
    Dr Markway (Richard Johnson), a paranormal investigator, invites a pair of psychic researchers to help him examine the restless spirits at Hill House, a sinister family estate haunted by the angry souls from its troubled past. The owner insists her nephew (Russ Tamblyn) join the team of Theodora (..read more »
    Rate this: 3.5 stars out of 5 68% from 2,083 members
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  • West Side Story on DVD (1961)
    Starring: Natalie Wood,  Richard Beymer,  Rita Moreno
    Director: Jerome Robbins,  Robert Wise
    Certificate: Certificate: PG
    Considered one of the most popular musicals of all time, WEST SIDE STORY earned director Robert Wise an Oscar for Best Director as well as nine other Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Realistically portrayed characters and their surroundings and expert editing complementing innovative dance ..read more »
    Rate this: 3.5 stars out of 5 70% from 5,693 members
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  • The Day The Earth Stood Still on DVD (1951)
    Starring: Michael Rennie,  Patricia Neal,  Hugh Marlowe
    Director: Robert Wise
    Certificate: Certificate: U
    Beginning with a documentary style that immediately hooks the viewer, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, based on the Harry Bates short story "Farewell to the Master," becomes as much a human interest story as it does a sci-fi B-movie classic. The film soberly depicts the arrival of an alien dignitary, ..read more »
    Rate this: 3.5 stars out of 5 71% from 5,950 members
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  • The Desert Rats on DVD (1951)
    Starring: Richard Burton,  James Mason,  Robert Newton
    Director: Robert Wise
    Certificate: Certificate: TBC
    Richard Burton stars in this exciting film directed by Robert Wise about the courageous men who held off German Field Marshall Erwin Rommell, despite being hopelessly outnumbered. The year is 1941, and all that stands between Rommel and the Suez Canal is the fortress of Tobruk, which is manned only ..read more »
    Rate this: 3.5 stars out of 5 68% from 726 members
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  • The Curse Of The Cat People (1944)
    Starring: Kent Smith,  Simone Simon
    Director: Robert Wise
    Certificate: Certificate: TBC
    This mostly unrelated sequel to Cat People (1942) has Amy, the young daughter of Oliver and Alice Reed. Amy is a very imaginative child who has trouble differentiating fantasy from reality, and has no friends her own age as a result. She makes an imaginary friend though, her father's dead first ..read more »
    Rate this: 3 stars out of 5 63% from 62 members
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Robert Wise facts

5 most recent films

Star Trek 1 - The Motion Picture - BLU-RAY Version - 3.0 stars
Star Trek 1 - The Motion Picture - 3.0 stars
Audrey Rose - 3.0 stars
The Hindenburg - 1.5 stars
The Andromeda Strain - 3.5 stars

5 highest-rated films

The Day The Earth Stood Still - 3.5 stars
The Sound Of Music - 3.5 stars
West Side Story - 3.5 stars
The Haunting - 3.5 stars
The Desert Rats - 3.5 stars

5 lowest-rated films

The Hindenburg - 1.5 stars
Star! - 2.5 stars
Executive Suite - 2.5 stars
Star Trek 1 - The Motion Picture - BLU-RAY Version - 3.0 stars
The House On Telegraph Hill - 3.5 stars

Most frequent co-stars

DeForest Kelley - 4 times - show films
Patricia Neal - 4 times - show films
Persis Khambatta - 4 times - show films
Billy Gray - 4 times - show films
Stephen Collins - 4 times - show films

Most frequent directors

Jerome Robbins - 2 times - show films