He was to break the mould again in 1973 when he adapted Peter Blatty's novel The Exorcist as he changed the face of the horror movie genre forever.
Friedkin's movie is littered with realism as he used the screams of pain from the cast member as they were violently thrown around in their harnesses.
Regan's bedroom was also built inside a freezer to catch the actor's breath on film as well as firing a gun on set without warning to create shock in his cast.
While some of these methods seem a little extreme The Exorcist became the most profitable horror film of all time as it grossed just over $400 million at the global box office.
Friedkin was now one of the most sought after directors in Hollywood but unfortunately he never repeated this success.
Danny Boyle
Danny Boyle was the name on everyone’s lips eighteen months ago when his movie Slumdog Millionaire swept the board at the Oscars as it took Best Picture and Best Director.
But Boyle is renowned for making off the cuff movies that are a little different to what we have seen before and it all starts back in 1994 on British crime film Shallow Grave.
Using unknown actors Kerry Fox, Christopher Eccleston and Ewan McGregor Boyle launched his film career. Although Shallow Grave was a small project it was a hit, and has since gone on to gain a cult status.
But it was Trainspotting that really cemented Boyle as a major force in British filmmaking as he tackled the issue of drugs head on. Based on the novel by Irvine Welsh the film followed a group of heroin addicts in the economically depressed Edinburgh of the 1990's.
The film was gritty and dark and looked at the effects of heroin and is widely regarded as one of the best anti drug movies ever made.
The film received universal praise when it was released in the UK however it did cause controversy elsewhere as it was accused of glorifying drug use. It did enjoy some box office success but has since become a cult hit and one of the most influential British movies of all time.
He is back on the big screen in the new year as he brings the story of Aron Rolston to the big screen, with James Franco taking on the lead role.
127 Hours will tell the story of Rolston, a mountain climber who becomes trapped under a boulder while canyoneering alone near Moab, Utah and resorts to desperate measures in order to survive.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
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