Worked as radio actor in Florence and Rome

Acted in Luigi Zampa's feature "L'Onorevole Angelina"

Assistant to Luchino Visconti

First professional stage design for Visconti's production of "Troilus and Cressida"

Feature film directing debut, "Camping"

Made documentary on Florence floods, "Florence: Days of Destruction"; narration by Richard Burton

Co-produced, co-wrote and directed English language film adaptation, "The Taming of the Shrew"

Had international hit with his filming of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet"

Directed the TV miniseries, "Jesus of Nazareth"

Helmed the remake of "The Champ"

Recreated his staging of "La Traviata" as a film; also served as production designer

Put Mel Gibson through the paces as Shakespeare's "Hamlet"

Elected to a seat in Italy's senate

Returned to features directing an adaptation of "Charlotte Bronte's 'Jane Eyre'"

Directed the autobiographical feature "Tea With Mussolini"