This British director migrated to the USA in the 1980s and quickly became established with his successful award-winning music videos and TV commercials. Simon West made his feature directorial debut with 1997's "Con Air", featuring Nicolas Cage as a parolee hitching a ride on a federal plane full of convicts who hijack the craft mid-flight. The film grossed more than $100 million, making it one of the top action films of the year, and launched West's movie career.

Credit: entertainment.lycos.com