**John Frankenheimer** (1930-2002) was an influential American director whose career spanned from television to film, establishing himself in particular as a master of the psychological and political thriller in the 1960s.

His most celebrated works include suspense masterpieces such as *The Manchurian Candidate* (1962), a disturbing study of mind control and paranoia, and *Seven Days in May* (1964), a tense drama about an attempted military coup. He also directed the acclaimed prison drama *Birdman of Alcatraz* (1962).

His style is characterized by incisive direction, tense atmospheres, complex narratives, and a profound sense of impending danger. In the subsequent decades, he continued to direct, achieving notable success with the action film *Ronin* (1998), known for its spectacular car chase sequences. Frankenheimer remains a key figure in American cinema, appreciated for his versatility and ability to create compelling suspense.