George Pan Cosmatos ( 4 January 1941 – 19 April 2005 ) was a Greco-Italian film director and screenwriter . Following early success in his home country with drama films such as '' Massacre in Rome '' with Richard Burton ( based on the real-life Ardeatine massacre ) , Cosmatos retooled his career towards mainstream ' blockbuster ' action and adventure films , including '' The Cassandra Crossing '' and '' Escape to Athena '' , both of which were British-Italian co-productions . After relocating to North America , he directed the horror film '' Of Unknown Origin '' . This was followed by some of his best-known work , including the action films '' Rambo : First Blood Part II '' and '' Cobra '' ( both of which star Sylvester Stallone ) , the science-fiction horror film '' Leviathan '' , and the critically acclaimed Western '' Tombstone ''
Ardeatine massacre
Ardeatine massacre
George P. Cosmatos