10 Directors Who Took Insane Breaks Between Movies

Jacques Tati is considered by many to be one of the greatest directors of all time, which is saying something considering he only has six feature-length films to his directing credit. He spent most of his time working as a mime, actor, and screenwriter, but when he did get behind the camera to direct, he made movie magic.

Some of his greatest films include two that stand on opposite sides of an immense break in his directing career. His film, Mon oncle came out in 1958, but it wouldn't be until 1967 for him to release his next movie, Play Time.

Technically, development began on Play Time in 1964, but the work that went into it was mainly related to the film's production. This left Tati on the sidelines waiting for the moment when he could call "action" and get the cameras rolling.

The long delay between projects came about thanks to the massive set being built for Play Time. The infamous sound stage set dubbed, 'Tativille,' required hundreds of construction workers, its own power plant, and ended up costing so much money (it was the most expensive movie in French history), the film couldn't continue until it was completed. When Tati did finally sit in the director's chair, he churned out a masterpiece in Play Time, so the gap proved entirely worthwhile.