Biographical / Historical
Scope and Contents
Conditions Governing Access
Rights Statement for Archival Description
Conditions Governing Use
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Preferred Citation
Processing Information
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Cinematic Arts Library
Title: John Milius papers
Creator:
Milius, John
Identifier/Call Number: 2233
Physical Description:
62.63 Linear Feet
87 boxes and 1 oversize tube
Date (bulk): 1970s-2000s
Abstract: This collection contains of the papers of American screenwriter, director, and producer John Milius (born 1944), including
scripts, production and personal files, photographs, and audiovisual materials. The collection includes a number of handwritten
original script pages, as well as printed scripts. Milius wrote films such as "Apocalypse Now" (1979), "Conan the Barbarian"
(1982) and "Red Dawn" (1984).
Language of Material:
English.
Biographical / Historical
John Milius (born 1944) is an American screenwriter, director, and producer. Milius was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and moved
with his family to Los Angeles, California, as a child. He enrolled in the Film Department of the University of Southern California
in 1965 but did not graduate. In the late 1960s, after failing to enlist in the United States Marines Corp because of chronic
asthma, Milius became a screenwriter. His early work included the screenplays for "The Devil's Eight" and "Apocalypse Now."
In 1975, Milius formed the "A-Team" production company and wrote and directed "Big Wednesday" (1978). Milius's filmography
includes over thirty films including "The Wind and the Lion" (1975), "Conan the Barbarian" (1982), "Red Dawn" (1984), "Farewell
to the King" (1989), "Flight of the Intruder" (1990), "The Hunt for Red October" (1990), "Clear and Present Danger" (1994),
and "Rough Riders" (1997). Milius received an Academy Award nomination for best adapted screenplay for "Apocalypse Now."
Scope and Contents
This collection contains of the papers of American screenwriter, director, and producer John Milius (born 1944), including
scripts, production and personal files, photographs, and audiovisual materials. There are a number of handwritten original
script pages, as well as printed scripts.
All of Milius's films are represented in the collection to varying degrees, with substanial materials for "Big Wednesday"
(1978); "Conan the Barbarian" (1982), including set sketches and blueprints; "Farewell to the King" (1989); "Flight of the
Intruder" (1990); "1941" (1979); "Red Dawn" (1984); and "Rough Riders" (1997).
The alphabetical files in the "Office, production, and personal files" series are arranged alphabetically by project title
or topic according to their original labels and order. These files include a large variety of materials reflecting the production
of Milius's film projects, legal matters, correspondence, research, and personal interests. There is overlap within the collection,
and a film project, for instance, may have related materials in multiple series.
Conditions Governing Access
Advance notice required for access.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
Finding aid description and metadata are licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Cinematic Arts Library
at ctlibarc@usc.edu. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Cinematic Arts Library as the owner of the physical
items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The bulk of the collection was the gift of Amanda Milius (daughter), March 17, 2017. 4 boxes were the gift of John Milius
in August 1982.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder no. or item name], John Milius papers, Collection no. 2233, Cinematic Arts Library, USC Libraries, University
of Southern California.
Processing Information
Some parts of this collection, including the audiovisual materials, may not be fully processed.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Motion picture producers and directors -- Archival resources
Screenwriters -- United States -- Archival resources
Scripts
Milius, John -- Archives