Anthony Minghella, the Oscar-winning director of The English Patient, has died at age 54.
Early reports listed no cause of death. The BBC now says that he “suffered a fatal haemorrhage in London days after having surgery for cancer of the tonsils and neck.”
Minghella’s films include Truly, Madly, Deeply (1991), The Talented Mr. Ripley (the 1999 Ripley with Matt Damon, not the 2002 one with John Malkovich) and the Civil War tale Cold Mountain (2003).
The English Patient was released in 1996 and won nine Oscars — including awards for best director, best picture, best editing (chalk up another one for Walter Murch) and best supporting actress for Juliette Binoche.
So long, Mr. Minghella; sorry to see you go. The English Patient in particular was a great time at the movies.