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Roman Polanski: Early Years

Roman Polanski in the Spotlight

Roman Polanski in the Spotlight

In the late '60s and early '70s, Roman Polanski emerged as one of film's brightest talents, having directed such classics as Repulsion, Rosemary's Baby, and Chinatown. But he was also well known for his troubled personal life. In 1969, his pregnant wife Sharon Tate was murdered by members of the Manson Family. Then, in a controversial 1977 trial that has since been criticized as unfair, Polanski pleaded guilty to having unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl, but fled to Europe on the eve of his sentencing. Now that the director is being held in Switzerland, with extradition to the United States possible, take a look back at the highs and lows of his early years as a filmmaker.

In this photo: Roman Polanski

Photo: James Jackson/Getty Images

Jan 01, 1969
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