Peter Weir is a film director, producer, and writer who was born on August 21, 1944, in Sydney Australia. He studied arts and law at the University of Sydney before landing a job as a production assistant at ATN-7, a Sydney television station. Weir made two experimental short films using the resources available at the studio. He began his directing career as a director of documentaries. His first major independent film ‘Homesdale’ was released in 1971. He then became one of the leading professionals in the Australian New Wave cinema movement between 1970 and 1990. Although he has had a prolific career, there are some films that are particularly successful and for which Weir personally received awards.
Here are our picks for the five top movies of Peter Weir’s career.
1. Witness
Released in 1985, this movie received fantastic critical acclaim and was nominated for many awards, winning two Academy Awards, one BAFTA Award, the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay and the Edgar Award for Best Motion Picture Screenplay. It is a crime thriller about an Amish boy who witnesses a murder in Philadelphia and becomes a target. The movie stars Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis.
2. Dead Poets Society
This drama film was released in 1989 and was written by Tom Schulman. ‘Dead Poets Society’ is about an English teacher who is teaching poetry and is an inspiration to his students. It is set in 1959 in a fictional boarding school. The movie stars Robin Williams in the role of the teacher. This movie won both the David di Donatella Award and the Cesar Award for Best Foreign Film. It also won a BAFTA Award for Best Film and an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
3. Green Card
In this 1990 romantic comedy, an American woman marries a Frenchman for convenience so he can get a green card. The movie won the Golden Globe for the Best Motion Picture. It starred Gerard Depardieu and Andie McDowell. It was written, produced and directed by Peter Weir.
4. The Truman Show
Jim Carrey stars in this Peter Weiss directed movie which is about a man called Truman Burbank who is raised in a simulated television show that revolves around his life. When he discovers what is happening, he tries to escape. This movie was released in 1998 and also stars Laura Linney, Natascha McElhone, Noah Emmerich, Holland Taylor, Brian Delate, and Ed Harris. This movie was a critical and financial success.
5. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Peter Weir was not just the director for this 2003 epic period war drama, he was also the co-writer and the co-producer. This movie stars Russel Crowe, Paul Bettany, Billy Boyd, James D’Arcy, and Chris Larkin. It is an adapted version of three novels from a series of 20 novels by Patrick O’Brian. It is about the experiences of a captain in the Royal Navy called Jack Aubrey. ‘Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World’ was nominated for 10 Oscars. It won Oscars for Best Sound Editing and Best Cinematography.
Follow Us
