Skip to main content
Jonathan Demme
Director 1944 - 2017

Jonathan Demme

Baldwin, Long Island, New York, USA

Robert Jonathan Demme (February 22, 1944 – April 26, 2017) was an American filmmaker, producer and screenwriter. He was best known for directing The Silence of the Lambs, which won him the Academy Award for Best Director. He also directed the acclaimed films Something Wild... Read full bio →

Directed Films

Every film this person directed

20 titles
Ricki and the Flash

Ricki and the Flash

Jonathan Demme 2015 1h 40m

Meryl Streep stars as Ricki Rendazzo, a guitar heroine who made a world of mistakes as she followed her dreams of rock-and-roll stardom. Returning home, Ricki gets a shot at redemption and a chance to make things right as she faces the music with her family.

A Master Builder

A Master Builder

Jonathan Demme 2014 2h 10m

A successful, ego-maniacal architect who has spent a lifetime bullying his wife, employees and mistresses wants to make peace as his life approaches its final act.

Rachel Getting Married

Rachel Getting Married

Jonathan Demme 2008 1h 53m 6.3

A young woman who has been in and out from rehab for the past 10 years returns home for the weekend for her sister's wedding.

Neil Young: Heart of Gold

Neil Young: Heart of Gold

Jonathan Demme 2006 1h 39m

A film shot over during a two-night performance by Neil Young at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.

The Manchurian Candidate

The Manchurian Candidate

Jonathan Demme 2004 2h 10m 6.4

Capt. Bennett Marco and Sgt. Raymond Shaw are taken captive during the first Persian Gulf War and brainwashed so that they're programmed to rebel once they return home. Ten years later, as Shaw's mother is busy helping her son in his bid for the presidency, Marco recalls the brainwashing. Can he get to Shaw before it's too late?

The Truth About Charlie

The Truth About Charlie

Jonathan Demme 2002 1h 44m 5.0

The Truth About Charlie is a 2002 remake of the 1963 film Charade (which starred Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn). It is also an homage to François Truffaut's Shoot the Piano Player and that film's star Charles Aznavour appeared as himself and sang his song "Quand tu m'aimes" (English version).

Beloved

Beloved

Jonathan Demme 1998 2h 52m 6.3

After Paul D. finds his old slave friend Sethe in Ohio and moves in with her and her daughter Denver, a strange girl comes along by the name of "Beloved". Sethe and Denver take her in and then strange things start to happen...

SUBWAYStories: Tales from the Underground

SUBWAYStories: Tales from the Underground

Bob Balaban, Jonathan Demme 1997 1h 21m

An anthology of 10 stories depicting real-life incidents of subway riders in New York City, which range from compassion and love to violence and loss.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia

Jonathan Demme 1993 2h 6m 7.6

No one would take his case until one man was willing to take on the system. Two competing lawyers join forces to sue a prestigious law firm for aids discrimination. As their unlikely friendship develops their courage overcomes the prejudice and corruption of their powerful adversaries.

The Silence of the Lambs

The Silence of the Lambs

Jonathan Demme 1991 1h 59m 8.8

Clarice Starling is a top student at the FBI's training academy. Jack Crawford wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism.

Married to the Mob

Married to the Mob

Jonathan Demme 1988 1h 44m 6.0

An undercover FBI agent falls in love with a recently widowed mafia wife seeking to start her life over after her husband's murder.

Something Wild

Something Wild

Jonathan Demme 1986 1h 54m 6.8

A free-spirited woman "kidnaps" a yuppie for a weekend of adventure. But the fun quickly takes a dangerous turn when her ex-convict husband shows up.

Swing Shift

Swing Shift

Jonathan Demme 1984 1h 40m 6.0

In 1941 America, Kay and her husband are happy enough until he enlists after Pearl Harbor. Against his wishes, she takes a job at the local aircraft plant where she meets Hazel, the singer from across the way. The two soon become firm friends and with the other girls become increasingly expert workers.

Stop Making Sense

Stop Making Sense

Jonathan Demme 1984 1h 28m 7.5

A concert film documenting Talking Heads at the height of their popularity, on tour for their 1983 album "Speaking in Tongues." The band takes the stage one by one and is joined by a cadre of guest musicians for a career-spanning and cinematic performance that features creative choreography and visuals.

Melvin and Howard

Melvin and Howard

Jonathan Demme 1980 1h 35m

The story of hard-luck Melvin Dummar, who claimed to have received a will naming him an heir to the fortune of Howard Hughes.

Last Embrace

Last Embrace

Jonathan Demme 1979 1h 42m 6.0

A government agent recovering from a nervous breakdown deciphers a death threat written in ancient Hebrew.

Citizens Band

Citizens Band

Jonathan Demme 1977 1h 38m

The interlaced stories of several characters in a small town united by their use of CB (citizen's band) radio.

Fighting Mad

Fighting Mad

Jonathan Demme 1976 1h 30m

An evil corporation tries to pressure a bunch of Arkansas farmers and ranchers to sell their land so they can strip-mine it for coal. The fiercely proud and stubborn Hunter family refuse to give in. This leads to a bitter conflict that results in several casualties.

Crazy Mama

Crazy Mama

Jonathan Demme 1975 1h 23m

Melba Stokes, her mother Sheba and daughter Cheryl embark on a crime spree after their California beauty parlor is repossessed. Their destination is Arkansas, where the three generations of women want to reclaim the family farm.

Caged Heat

Caged Heat

Jonathan Demme 1974 1h 23m 6.0

A girl is caught in a drug bust and sent to the hoosegow.

Discussion

Loading the discussion…