Directors You Definitely Know Quiz / Test | Name The Director

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. I directed and produced two immediate classics in 1993 which earned a total of 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. One was a biographical drama starring Liam Neeson; the other a sci-fi adventure with Sam Neill. Both pictures were scored by John Williams. Which Ohio-born director am I?

Answer: Steven Spielberg

Steven Spielberg was personally awarded two Oscars for "Schindler's List" (Best Director for directing, and Best Picture for producing), while "Jurassic Park" became the most financially successful film ever (at the time).

The vast majority of Spielberg-directed pictures have been memorably scored by John Williams, and the legendary director's two 1993 feature films were no exception.

2. The final shot of my 2002 film depicted the New York City skyline, with the World Trade Center towers still standing, despite the post-9/11 date. Daniel Day-Lewis was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of Bill Cutting in the same picture. Which New York-native director am I?

Answer: Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese's "Gangs of New York" was the first of four consecutive films starring Leonardo DiCaprio, and the second to star acclaimed actor Daniel Day-Lewis. However, Catherine Scorsese, Marty's mother, has been featured in more of his films than both DiCaprio and Day-Lewis combined. Her films include "Goodfellas," "Cape Fear," and "Casino."

3. My films have covered a wide range of topics including nuclear apocalypse, 18th century Ireland, artificial intelligence, ultra-violence, and pedophilia. For my 1980 film starring Jack Nicholson, I was nominated for a Razzie award for Worst Director. However, it is now considered one of the greatest horror films ever made. Who am I?

Answer: Stanley Kubrick

Stanley Kubrick's "Lolita," about a 40-something year old's sexual relationship with a girl of 14, was rated X by the British Board of Film Censors in 1962. However, considering it's visual content, the film would likely have no trouble attaining a PG-13 rating were it released in the United States today.

"The Shining," an adaptation of Stephen King's novel of the same name, was hated by the author upon its release, although King is said to have warmed up to it (somewhat) subsequently.

4. I directed the 1996 film "Jack" starring Robin Williams, about a young boy who physically ages at four times the normal rate. My daughter directed the critically acclaimed "Lost In Translation." I also directed "The Godfather Part III." Who am I?

Answer: Francis Ford Coppola

Director of the legendary "Godfather" trilogy, Francis Ford Coppola was part of the 1970s' "New Hollywood" movement. However, Coppola had (relatively) few critical successes in the 1990s and the 2000s. Roger Ebert gave Coppola's "Jack" a 1.5 star review.

Ebert was more receptive to Sofia Coppola's 2003 film "Lost in Translation," giving it a four star review, and subsequently adding it to his list of "Great Movies". Sofia is Francis Ford Coppola's daughter with Eleanor (nee Neil) Coppola.

5. I directed "The Abyss" and "Aliens." I made an estimated $257 million in 2010. Which director/inventor am I?

Answer: James Cameron

James Cameron's "Titanic" and "Avatar" have in total grossed over $4.5 billion. He is known for pioneering various filming techniques, specifically underwater and 3D filming. His 2010 earnings put him atop the Forbes list of Hollywood's financial elite.

6. I directed "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," "Crimes and Misdemeanors," and "Zelig," the latter being about a chameleon-like character with a conformity obsession. I was also the voice of "Z" in the animated hit "Antz." Which Jewish director am I?

Answer: Woody Allen

Not only was 1983's "Zelig" one of Woody Allen's most acclaimed films, but it was also a technological triumph. The Leonard Zelig character, played by the director, was flawlessly superimposed in stock 1920s newsreel footage, in a time before digital manipulation made this task much easier.

7. My 1989 film "Do The Right Thing" is commonly listed among the greatest films of all time. I frequently collaborate with John Turturro and Denzel Washington. When the credits are shown in my movies, directorial credit is typically shown in an uncommon manner. Who am I?

Answer: Spike Lee

"Do The Right Thing" is often considered Spike Lee's magnum opus, despite being nominated for only one Academy Award (Best Original Screenplay). In 1999 it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry (US).

In his 2006 documentary, "When the Levees Broke," Lee mixed things up a bit by having directorial credit listed as "A Spike Lee Film," rather than his typical "A Spike Lee Joint."

8. In addition to my vast body of work as a producer, I have also directed several feature films including "THX 1138" and "American Graffiti." I did NOT direct "The Empire Strikes Back." Which director/producer am I?

Answer: George Lucas

Although written and produced by George Lucas, "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" were directed by Irvin Kershner and Richard Marquand respectively. Lucas would go on to direct all three "Star Wars" prequel films.

9. In addition to co-starring in the 1973 classic "American Graffiti," I have also made a name for myself working behind the camera. I directed several modern classics including "Cocoon" and "Apollo 13." Who am I?

Answer: Ron Howard

Ron Howard played "Steve Bolander" in George Lucas's "American Graffiti," the on-screen boyfriend of "Peg," Kathleen Quinlan's character. Howard would later direct Quinlan in "Apollo 13," in which she played the wife of Tom Hanks' character.

Howard frequently casts his real-life brother Clint, who is featured in both "Cocoon" and "Apollo 13."

10. I directed "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." I died of a heart attack in August 2009. Which director am I?

Answer: John Hughes

The casual film fan might not have noticed that in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," in addition to the Ferrari license plate reading "NRVOUS," plates on other cars featured in the film alluded to various John Hughes films. "VCTN," "4FBDO," "TBC," and "MMOM," all seen on screen, are references to Hughes' "National Lampoon's Vacation," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "The Breakfast Club," and "Mr. Mom," respectively.

The 82nd Academy Awards honored the life and works of John Hughes, with several stars of the director's classic films leading an on-stage commemoration. Hughes had passed away the previous year, dying of a heart attack while on a walk in New York City.

Source: Author cbr0oks

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor jmorrow before going online.
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Directors You Definitely Know Trivia Quiz

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