Noam Murro (born 16 August 1961 in Jerusalem) is an Israeli director and producer whose work spans advertising, feature films and television. He is widely recognized for directing the comedy-drama Smart People (2008) and the large-scale historical action film 300: Rise of an Empire (2014). In 2018 he directed a critically noticed television adaptation of Watership Down.

Murro began his professional life outside the mainstream film studio system, building a reputation in commercial and short-form visual work before moving into longer narrative forms. That early background in advertising influenced his visual sensibility: many observers note a polished, cinematic approach to composition, pacing and production design that translated naturally from commercials to features.

In his feature work Murro has alternated intimate character-driven material with big-budget spectacle. Smart People, a smaller film centered on relationships and intellectual life, contrasts with 300: Rise of an Empire, which required coordination of large action sequences and extensive visual effects. This range demonstrates his ability to handle both performance-focused scenes and highly staged, technical filmmaking.

Murro's television work includes the 2018 miniseries Watership Down, an adaptation that combined family drama with darker themes from the original novel. His move into serial storytelling reflected a broader trend among film directors who shift between formats to explore longer-form narrative and character arcs.

Career highlights and credits

  • Smart People (director) — noted for its ensemble cast and character focus.
  • 300: Rise of an Empire (director) — a large-scale action sequel with prominent visual effects.
  • Watership Down (2018, miniseries director) — television adaptation of a classic novel; worked in long-form drama.
  • Earlier commercial and short-form directing that established his visual style and production experience.

For further context about his background see a general profile here, and for information tied to his place of birth see Jerusalem. Details on the Watership Down production can be found here. Murro's career illustrates a contemporary filmmaking path in which directors move fluidly among advertising, cinema and television while applying a consistent visual approach across media.

Though not primarily associated with a single auteurist manifesto, Murro is often discussed in terms of how commercial craft can be adapted to narrative features. He remains active in film and television, continuing to take projects that range from small-scale dramas to effects-driven entertainment.