MenuFLIXANO
Start Your Free Trial
Search
Franco Zeffirelli

Franco Zeffirelli

Gian Franco Corsi Zeffirelli KBE, Grand Officer OMRI (12 March 1923 – 15 June 2019), commonly known as Franco Zeffirelli (Italian pronunciation: [ˈfraŋko dzeffiˈrɛlli]), was an Italian director and producer of operas, films and television. He was also a senator from 1994 until 2001 for the Italian centre-right Forza Italia party.

Some of his operatic designs and productions have become worldwide classics.

He was also known for several of the movies he directed, especially the 1968 version of Romeo and Juliet, for which he received an Academy Award nomination. His 1967 version of The Taming of the Shrew with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton remains the best-known film adaptation of that play as well. His miniseries Jesus of Nazareth (1977) won both national and international acclaim and is still frequently shown on Christmas and Easter in many countries.

To Grand Officer OMRI of the Italian Republic since 1977, Zeffirelli also received an honorary British knighthood in 2004 when he was created a KBE. He was awarded the Prize for the Colosseum in 2009 by the city of Rome.

Sign up to watch Free Franco Zeffirelli Movies

Movies Made By Franco Zeffirelli (54)

The Metropolitan Opera: Turandot (2022)

Giacomo Puccini's final operatic masterpiece, Turandot, is one of the repertory's most extravagant spectacles. And in the Met's production, by legendary director Franco Zeffirelli, this tale of an icy Chinese princess and the mysterious prince vying to win ...

Watch Now

Arena di Verona: Il Trovatore (2020)

It's an event that draws many thousands of music lovers to one of the most beautiful cities in the world every summer: the opera season at the ancient Arena di Verona. The 2,000-year-old roman amphiteatre with its gigantic stage dimensions is one of the la ...

Watch Now

The Metropolitan Opera: Turandot (2019)

Christine Goerke has wowed audiences as Turandot, the icy princess at the heart of Puccini's grand final masterpiece. In this performance from the 2019–20 Live in HD season, Goerke stars alongside tenor Yusif Eyvazov (as Calàf) and soprano Eleonora Bura ...

Watch Now

La Traviata - Arena di Verona (2019)

Arena di Verona Opera Festival 2019 starts with La Traviata in the new stage design signed by Franco Zeffirelli, the last great Master of Italian direction. The new production takes the form of the ultimate synthesis of his aesthetic thoughts on Traviata. ...

Watch Now

The Metropolitan Opera: La Bohème (2018)

Puccini's timeless love story, which includes some of its composer's most beloved music, has moved generations of opera lovers since its 1896 world premiere. It has also proved incredibly popular with the Met's global HD audiences and has been featured in ...

Watch Now

Zeffirelli's Inferno (2017)

A film adaptation of Dante's Inferno that was never realized. Depicts the entry of the Great Poet in the dark forest, the meeting with Virgilio, access to the Inferno and the journey through the circles to the exit with the return to the surface world. ...

Watch Now

The Metropolitan Opera: La Bohème (2014)

A new generation of rising stars shines in Franco Zeffirelli's classic production of Puccini's most popular opera. Vittorio Grigolo is the poor poet Rodolfo who falls head over heels for his neighbor, the seamstress Mimì, sung by the radiant Kristine Opol ...

Watch Now

Turandot - Puccini - Live from Verona (2011)

The Arena di Verona Festival honors Italian stage director Franco Zeffirelli, and his legendary production of Turandot. Interpreted within the sumptuous surroundings of Verona Arena, this Puccini's masterpiece tells the story of a princess whose beauty wa ...

Watch Now

Carmen (2010)

Live performance from the Vienna State Opera, 6 May 2010. ...

Watch Now

Puccini: Turandot (2009)

Franco Zeffirelli's magnificient staging of Puccini's final opera - a fairy tale set in a mythical China - is one of the most popular in the Met repertory. In this Live in HD production, Maria Guleghina takes on the title role and Marcello Giordani is Cala ...

Watch Now

La Boheme (2004)

Bruno Bartoletti conducts the orchestra and chorus of the Teatro alla Scala in this production of Puccini's opera from 2003. The performers include Cristina Gallardo-Domas, Hei-Kyung Hong, Marcelo Alvarez and Roberto Servile. ...

Watch Now

Madama Butterfly (2004)

Japan, early twentieth century. U.S. Navy Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton inspects the house he has leased from a marriage broker. The broker, Goro, has procured him three servants and a geisha wife, Cio-Cio-San, known as Madama Butterfly. He is enchanted with t ...

Watch Now

Callas Forever (2002)

Aging opera singer Maria Callas tries to make a comeback by performing in a production of Bizet's "Carmen. ...

Watch Now

La Traviata (2002)

Violetta, a courtesan much wooed by Parisian society, organizes a grand party that is attended, amongst others, by the young Alfredo Germont. He confesses his feelings to Violetta, who is already suffering from consumption. She vacillates between genuine a ...

Watch Now

Aida (2001)

Verdi's grand opera "Aida" is given an intimate treatment in Busetto, Italy, in 2001, in a staging with young singers, all coached by the legendary tenor Carlo Bergonzi and staged by Franco Zeffirelli. The result is an astonishing musical and dramatic piec ...

Watch Now

Don Giovanni (2000)

Live performance at the Metropolitan Opera in 2000. ...

Watch Now

Tea with Mussolini (1999)

In 1930s fascist Italy, adolescent Luca just lost his mother. His father, a callous businessman, sends him to be taken care of by British expatriate Mary Wallace. Mary and her cultured friends - including artist Arabella, young widow Elsa, and archaeologis ...

Watch Now

Carmen (1997)

Live performance from the Metropolitan Opera, 25 March 1997. ...

Watch Now

Jane Eyre (1996)

After a bleak childhood, Jane Eyre goes out into the world to become a governess. As she lives happily in her new position at Thornfield Hall, she meet the dark, cold, and abrupt master of the house, Mr. Rochester. Jane and her employer grow close in frien ...

Watch Now

Sparrow (1994)

Catania, Sicilia 1854. A serious epidemic of cholera is hitting the region. Maria a 16 years old novice leaves her convent and returns her home to avoid contamination. Here she finds a difficult situation, in fact her stepmother and her half-sisters preven ...

Watch Now

Falstaff (1993)

It is to composer and librettist Arrigo Boito and his constant pestering of the octogenarian Verdi that there remained within him one last great comedy fighting to get out that we owe this absolute miracle of an opera. Produced in 1893 as Verdi turned 80 t ...

Watch Now

Don Carlo (1992)

This opera was filmed live at La Scala in 1992. The all-star cast includes Luciano Pavarotti, Samuel Ramey, aolo Coni, Daniela Dessi, Luciana d'Intio, and Alexander Anismov. Riccardo Muti conducts. ...

Watch Now

The King of Ads (1991)

A collection of European T.V. commercials directed by a variety of well-known directors from across Europe and the U.S. Compiled and produced by Jean-Marie Boursicot. ...

Watch Now

Hamlet (1990)

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, finds out that his uncle Claudius killed his father to obtain the throne, and plans revenge. ...

Watch Now

12 Directors for 12 Cities (1989)

Promotional omnibus film, made for the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, featuring portraits of 12 Italian cities. ...

Watch Now

Young Toscanini (1988)

A fanciful biopic of legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini as a very young man. ...

Watch Now

Pagliacci (1987)

The story is set in southern Italy and recounts the tragedy of Canio, the lead clown (or pagliaccio in Italian) in a commedia dell'arte troupe, his wife Nedda, and her lover, Silvio. When Nedda spurns the advances of Tonio, another player in the troupe, he ...

Watch Now

Turandot (1987)

The Franco Zeffirelli production of Puccini's "Turandot", recorded live at the Metropolitan Opera in April, 1987. Éva Marton stars as Turandot, with Plácido Domingo as Calaf, Leona Mitchell as Liù, Paul Plishka as Timur, and Hugues Cuenod as L'Imperator ...

Watch Now

Otello (1986)

Based on Shakespeare's play, Verdi's opera depicts the devastating effects of jealousy, "...the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds upon". Believing Otello has promoted the fast-rising Cassio over himself, Iago plots to destroy both Cassio ...

Watch Now

Tosca (1985)

Live Metropolitan Opera performance March, 1985. ...

Watch Now

La traviata (1982)

This "Traviata" became one of the most succesful of all opera films, especially in France, where 800,000 Parisian cinemagoers flocked to it in the first six week. It was nominated for two Oscars (for production and costume design) and won BAFTAs in those t ...

Watch Now

Cavalleria rusticana (1982)

Franco Zeffirelli directs these two legendary La Scala productions telling tragic tales of jealousy. Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana features performances by Elena Obraztsova, Plácido Domingo, and Renato Bruson. Leoncavallo's I Pagliacci stars Teresa S ...

Watch Now

Puccini: La bohème (1982)

"La Bohème" is one of Giacomo Puccini's most popular and timeless works and the second-most performed opera at New York's Metropolitan Opera. This production, directed by the legendary Franco Zeffirelli, features José Carreras, Teresa Stratas, Renata Sco ...

Watch Now

Endless Love (1981)

As their romance unfolds, Jade and David's growing love for one another becomes the scorn of Jade's father. However, when Jade's grades begin to drop, her father forbids the young couple from seeing each other for 30 days. Driven insane with frustration an ...

Watch Now

The Champ (1979)

Billy used to be a great boxer, but he's settled into a hardscrabble life that revolves around drinking, training horses, and the one bright spot in his existence — his young son, T.J. Although Billy has had custody of T.J. since his wife, Annie, left th ...

Watch Now

Carmen (1978)

CARMEN is the classic tale of forbidden passion between a young man and a spoken-for woman, Carmen. From ORF and TDK Music, this release features a live performance of Georges Bizet's 19th century operatic masterwork Carmen. Directed by Academy Award-nomin ...

Watch Now

Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci (1978)

Plácido Domingo accomplishes the rare feat of singing both leads on the same night at the Met in 1978 on opera's most popular double-bill. ...

Watch Now

Lorenzaccio (1977)

This stage play from 1977 is adapted from the well-known play "Lorenzaccio" written by French poet and playwright Alfred de Musset. Set in 16th-century Florence, the play revolves around the complex and tormented protagonist Lorenzo, known as Lorenzaccio, ...

Watch Now

Verdi: Otello (1976)

The Moorish general Othello is manipulated into thinking that his new wife Desdemona has been carrying on an affair with his lieutenant Michael Cassio when in reality it is all part of the scheme of a bitter ensign named Iago. ...

Watch Now

Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972)

In his delirium from his return from war, Francesco Bernardone goes back in his memories to the days when he lived for parties and carnal pleasures. He slowly recovers, but after the illness he is no longer the Francesco that everybody knew. Instead of spe ...

Watch Now

Romeo and Juliet (1968)

Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet fall in love against the wishes of their feuding families. Driven by their passion, the young lovers defy their destiny and elope, only to suffer the ultimate tragedy. ...

Watch Now

The Taming of the Shrew (1967)

Italy, 16th century. Petruchio, a choleric, lying and poor rural landowner from Verona, arrives in Padua in search of fortune and a wife, while Baptista, a wealthy merchant, announces that he will not allow Bianca, his youngest daughter, to marry until the ...

Watch Now

Much Ado About Nothing (1967)

Dame Maggie Smith stars in the 1967 screen version of Franco Zeffirelli's exuberant National Theatre production of Shakespeare's romantic comedy, in which young lovers Hero and Claudio conspire to make sharp-tongued rivals Beatrice and Benedick fall in lov ...

Watch Now

For Florence (1966)

A dramatic, solemn and refined work, "Per Firenze" spread throughout the world the cry for help that was rising in those hours from the city of Dante and Brunelleschi, giving rise to one of the greatest phenomena of solidarity that has gone down in history ...

Watch Now

La Bohème (1965)

In the early 1960s two artistic giants, conductor Herbert von Karajan and director Franco Zeffirelli, joined forces to create this milestone production of Puccini's masterpiece at Milan's Teatro alla Scala. Filmed in that legendary opera house in 1965, wit ...

Watch Now

Maria Callas Sings Tosca, Act II (1964)

At the beginning of 1964, the music world experiences something completely unexpected. Maria Callas returns to the opera stage as the prima donna. Her "Tosca" at the Royal Opera House becomes a sensation. Maria Callas wants to show everyone once again that ...

Watch Now

Maria Callas: At Covent Garden, 1962 and 1964 (1962)

Maria Callas' legendary live performances from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, from 1962 and 1964 celebrate her triumphant return to the Covent Garden stage. Repertoire from these performances include Verdi: Tu che le vanità (Don Carlo), Bizet: Haba ...

Watch Now

Camping (1958)

Two young lovers, Tao and Valeria, decide to go and enjoy a beautiful holiday in privacy, away from the daily routine and their parents. After a journey full of adventures, aboard a sidecar, they find themselves in a campsite populated by Germans. ...

Watch Now

The Bachelor (1955)

Paolo Anselmi is a happily single man. He lives in a flat with a friend but is forced to leave when the friend gets married. He then goes to a boarding house where he flirts with a girl but ditches her when she proposes marriage. When he goes and visits hi ...

Watch Now

Senso (1954)

A troubled and neurotic Italian Countess betrays her entire country for a self-destructive love affair with an Austrian Lieutenant. ...

Watch Now

Empty Eyes (1953)

A young and shy girl Celestina arrives from her small home village to Rome to become a housemaid. Her inexperience and naivety causes her to change her employers quite frequently. As she is moving from one family to another she makes friends with other Rom ...

Watch Now

Bellissima (1952)

Film director Blasetti is looking for a little girl for his new movie. Along with other mothers, Maddelena takes her daughter to Cinecittà, hoping she'll be selected and become a star. She is ready to sacrifice anything for little Maria. ...

Watch Now

La Terra Trema (1949)

In rural Sicily, the fishermen live at the mercy of the greedy wholesalers. One family risks everything to buy their own boat and operate independently. ...

Watch Now

Movies Starring Franco Zeffirelli (16)

Franco Zeffirelli: Rebel Conformist (2022)

The documentary relates the decisive moments, the turning points and the rollercoaster ride of a brilliant, eventful international career and the extraordinary life of a great Italian artist. From his origins as an illegitimate child with no name to the at ...

Watch Now

The Opera House (2017)

In this documentary, award-winning filmmaker Susan Froemke explores the creation of the Metropolitan Opera's storied home of the last five decades. Drawing on rarely seen archival footage, stills, and recent interviews, The Opera House looks at an importan ...

Watch Now

The Go-Go Boys: The Inside Story of Cannon Films (2014)

Cousins Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus relive the creation, rise and fall of their independent film company, Cannon Films. This documentary recounts their many successes and discusses their eventual downfall. ...

Watch Now

Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films (2014)

A documentary about the rise and fall of the Cannon Film Group, the legendary independent film company helmed by Israeli cousins Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus. ...

Watch Now

The Mystery of Dante (2014)

A journey in the footsteps of the most famous initiate of Italian Trecento, the author of the celebrated "Divine Comedy". A poet who has inspired some of the most outstanding minds in History. ...

Watch Now

Discovering Hamlet (2011)

Journey into "Hamlet"-the play and the man-through the experiences of some of the major actors and directors who have brought Shakespeare's great tragedy to life. Christopher Plummer, David Tennant, John Nettles, John Simm, Sir Trevor Nunn, Franco Zeffirel ...

Watch Now

Callas Assoluta (2007)

This revealing documentary from director Philippe Kohly examines the storied life of renowned soprano Maria Callas, from her troubled childhood in New York City to her scandal-laden but triumphant international career in opera. Featuring archival interview ...

Watch Now

Luchino Visconti (2002)

A chronological look at the creative life of Luchino Visconti (1906-1976). It examines his theatricality, role in the neorealist movement, use of melodrama, and relation to decadence. It touches on the impact of a fabulously wealthy childhood, his writing ...

Watch Now

Dino De Laurentiis: The Last Movie Mogul (2001)

Documentary about legendary Italian producer Dino De Laurentiis who's credits range from Fellini's La Strada to today's Hannibal franchise. This profile follows octogenarian De Laurentiis in Hollywood and returning to Rome to set up a new film. ...

Watch Now

A Magic Friend: The Maestro Nino Rota (1994)

The artistic evolution of the great composer, whose work left an indelible mark in the history of Italian cinema. In this documentary Nino Rota's extraordinary musical production relives in the words of his friends and colleagues. His collaboration with Vi ...

Watch Now

My Name Is Anna Magnani (1980)

Traces the life of Anna Magnani, her creations, her successes, her triumphs, her boycotted career, her nonconformism, her anxieties, her generosity ... Punctuated with photos that tell her career in theater and cinema, Extracts of films, this documentary p ...

Watch Now

Callas: A Documentary (1978)

Narrated by cinema legend Franco Zeffirelli, this intimate made-for-television documentary traces the life and times of the mercurial Maria Callas, one of the most renowned and respected operatic divas of the mid-20th century. Rare authentic footage, candi ...

Watch Now

Our World (1967)

Various international presentions are featured through satellite uplink. ...

Watch Now

The New Met: Countdown to Curtain (1966)

Backstage with Franco Zeffirelli and Rudolph Bing as multiple mechanical difficulties snag rehearsals. Marc Chagall stops by only to see that his giant murals were not hung the way he intended in the lobby. Leontyne Price is engaging as she prepares for ...

Watch Now

Angelina (1947)

A rowdy woman is so forceful that she outdoes her husband in a loud cry against speculators who refuse poor people entrance to a block of new apartments, built after WW2. Without noticing it, she starts a people's movement, and leads a march to the capital ...

Watch Now