Complex sentence: In 1979, he adapted the screenplay for "Tim" from the novel by Colleen McCullough, as well as directing the film, which starred Mel Gibson and Piper Laurie.
Split into simpler sentences: In 1979, he adapted the screenplay for "Tim" from the novel by Colleen McCullough. Pate also directed the film, which starred Mel Gibson and Piper Laurie.