Sydney Pollack.

I really, really loved this director/actor. Sydney Pollack passed away from cancer in Pacific Palisades the other day. (sigh). And if you enjoyed his directing work, then you really need to rent the movie, Jeremiah Johnson, starring Robert Redford - especially if you like the outdoors. And if you like war movies, rent Castle Keep with Peter Falk and Burt Lancaster.

I met Martin Ransohoff (producer on Castle Keep) and he told me Lancaster was a real bear to work with and the best thing that happened on that picture was when the "castle" burned to the ground (not in the script). Great soundtrack.