Mario Monicelli (May 15, 1915 in Rome, Italy — 29 November 2010, Rome, Italy) was an Italian movie director famous for his comedy movies of the 1940—1960s. He was twice nominated for an Oscar award. One of his movies, "The Great War" (1959), won a Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. In 1991 the Venice Film Festival gave him a lifetime achievement award.