Franco Zeffirelli's distinctive career reflects his reverence for the classics of music and literature. Nearly all his films are adaptations, lavish productions utilizing lush locations, extravagant sets and sumptuous costumes. In fact, the very qualities which embellish also tend to impair his work. His films are so well researched that the audience is often overwhelmed with detail. A daring filmmaker, Zeffirelli is not afraid to pursue risky projects which challenge the predictable world of commercial filmmaking.

Zeffirelli's roots are in the theater, especially opera. Ironically, his name is