John Boorman (writer/director) is a filmmaker of uncompromising vision has created some of the most acclaimed films of this generation, from the Academy Award nominated "Deliverance" to "The Emerald Forest."

At 18, Boorman was writing and broadcasting about films and filmmakers. Four years later he started training as an assistant film editor in television, working his way up through the ranks within the BBC to a position from which he directed more than fifty acclaimed film documentaries. His drama- documentary technique led him on to feature films.

He made his directorial debut in 1965 with "Having a Wild Weekend," starring the Dave Clark Five. Returning to the BBC, he made a documentary on the American film pioneer D.W. Griffith. In 1966 he went to Hollywood to make "Point Blank" with Lee Marvin, which launched his international directing career. He followed with another Lee Marvin picture "Hell in the Pacific," which co-starred Toshiro Mifune.

Returning to England, Boorman's next project was "Leo the Last" starring Marcello Mastroianni, for which he won the Directors Award at the 1970 Cannes Film Festival.

He then produced and directed "Deliverance" starring Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds and Ned Beatty, for which he was nominated for two Academy Awards, Best Director and Best Picture. "Zardoz," a futuristic fantasy starring Sean Connery was produced, directed and scripted by Boorman in the same magical Irish landscapes he later used in "Excalibur," a film about Merlin the magician.

Boorman produced and directed "The Emerald Forest," documenting the making of the film in his book Money Into Light. He returned to England to recreate his childhood years during World War II in "Hope and Glory." "Where the Heart Is" and "I Dreamt I Woke Up" starring John Hurt followed before Boorman produced and directed "Beyond Rangoon" with Patricia Arquette. In 1985 he wrote, produced and directed "Two Nudes Bathing" also starring John Hurt. He has written the annual film publication Projections with co-editor Walter Donohue, now publishing Projections 8, with the first volume beginning in 1992.

Boorman recently directed a documentary entitled "Lee Marvin: a Personal Portrait by John Boorman" which chronicles the life and career of one of Boorman's closest friends and colleagues. The intimate piece, featuring film clip, home videos, and interviews, will air on American Movie Classics on Tuesday, November 17th.

Kieran Corrigan (executive producer), chief executive of Merlin Films, has specialized in film production and distribution finance since 1985. He collaborated first with John Boorman in 1981 on "Excalibur" and "Hope and Glory" and later as Executive Producer on Boorman's "I Dreamt I Woke Up" and "Two Nudes Bathing" starring John Hurt.

Kieran's executive producer credits include Paul Quinn's "This Is My Father" starring Aidan Quinn, Tommy McArdle's "Angela Mooney Dies Again" starring Mia Farrow, Philippe Rousselot's "Serpent's Kiss" starring Ewan McGregor and Greta Scacchi, "The Treaty" starring Ian Bannen and Brendan Gleeson, "Journey To Knock" starring John Hurt and David Thewlis and "Cast a Cold Eye" directed by Sean O Mordha for BBC. Corrigan also has extensive television and documentary credits.

Seamus Deasy (director of photography) collaborates with Boorman for the third time on "The General." In 1991 he and Boorman worked together on "I Dreamt I Woke Up" followed by "Two Nudes Bathing" in 1995. Seamus, acclaimed for his work in documentary, also shot Tom McCardle's "Angela Mooney Dies Again," Bill Miskelly's award winning "The End Of The World Man" and "The Night Train."

Derek Wallace (production designer) previously worked with Boorman on "Beyond Rangoon" and "Two Nudes Bathing." Derek has worked extensively within the art department on features films including Alan Parker's "Evita" and "The Commitments," Jim Sheridan's "My Left Foot," "In The Name of The Father" and "The Boxer," Thaddeus O'Sullivan's "Nothing Personal," and Neil Jordan's "Michael Collins."

Richie Buckley (composer) composed his first feature film score for "The General," and he has previously scored two documentaries. He is a self-taught saxophone player, recognized internationally as Ireland's leading jazz performer. His performing credits include Van Morrison, Freddie Hubbard, Dave McKenna, Jiggs Wigham, Bob Dylan, George Fame, Jon Hendricks, Carlos Santana and many more. Richie's recording credits include Van Morrison, James Williams, Barry Manilow, Riverdance, Lord of the Dance and Elmer Bernstein. He has also recorded and performed with leading Irish artists The Cranberries, Christie Moore, Sinead O'Connor and Bill Wheelan.

Ron Davis (editor) began working with John Boorman on "Excalibur" in 1981. He continued to work with Boorman as Supervising Sound Editor on "Hope and Glory," "The Emerald Forest," "Where The Heart Is" and "Dream One" and as Editor on "Beyond Ragoon," "Two Nudes Bathing" and "I Dreamt I Woke Up." His other film credits include "In The Name Of The Father," "The Field," "My Left Foot," "Educating Rita," "Silver Dream Racer," "The Missionary," "Blade Runner," "Forever Young" and "Honour Bound."

Maeve Paterson (costumes) has designed costume for film, television and theater. Her film credits include "The Nephew," "Roses From the Heart," "Broken Harvest," "The Fantasist and The Life Of Reilly." Among her theater credits are "Children Of A Lesser God," "Down All My Days" and "Death Trap." Maeve is recently designed for "Night Train," a romantic thriller starring John Hurt and Brenda Blethyn.