Bruce Beresford

Bruce Beresford (born 16 August 1940) is an Australian film director and screenwriter. He has made more than 30 feature films over a 50-year career, both locally and internationally in the United States.

2 3

Evelyn (2002)

BeautifulDramaticEmotional

Desmond Doyle is devastated when his wife abandons their family on the day after Christmas. His unemployment, and the fact that there is no woman in the house to care for the children—Evelyn, Dermot and Maurice—make it clear to the authorities this is an untenable ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Pierce Brosnan  •  Sophie Vavasseur  •  Aidan Quinn  •  Julianna Margulies

Desmond Doyle is devastated when his wife abandons their family on the day after Christmas. His unemployment, and the fact that there is no woman in the house to care for the children—Evelyn, Dermot and Maurice—make it clear to the authorities this is an untenable ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Pierce Brosnan  •  Sophie Vavasseur  •  Aidan Quinn  •  Julianna Margulies

Black Robe (1991)

Missionary Father LaForgue travels to the New World in hopes of converting Algonquin Indians to Catholicism. Accepted, though warily, by the Indians, LaForgue travels with the Indians using his strict Catholic rules and ideals to try and impose his religion.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Lothaire Bluteau  •  Aden Young  •  Sandrine Holt  •  August Schellenberg

Missionary Father LaForgue travels to the New World in hopes of converting Algonquin Indians to Catholicism. Accepted, though warily, by the Indians, LaForgue travels with the Indians using his strict Catholic rules and ideals to try and impose his religion.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Lothaire Bluteau  •  Aden Young  •  Sandrine Holt  •  August Schellenberg

Breaker Morant (1980)

BrilliantClassicDramatic

During the Boer War, three Australian lieutenants are on trial for shooting Boer prisoners. Though they acted under orders, they are being used as scapegoats by the General Staff, who hopes to distance themselves from the irregular practices of the war. The trial ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Edward Woodward  •  Jack Thompson  •  Bryan Brown  •  John Waters

During the Boer War, three Australian lieutenants are on trial for shooting Boer prisoners. Though they acted under orders, they are being used as scapegoats by the General Staff, who hopes to distance themselves from the irregular practices of the war. The trial ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Edward Woodward  •  Jack Thompson  •  Bryan Brown  •  John Waters

Double Jeopardy (1999)

Framed for the murder of her husband, Libby Parsons survives the long years in prison with two burning desires sustaining her -- finding her son and solving the mystery that destroyed her once-happy life. Standing between her and her quest; however, is her parole ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Tommy Lee Jones  •  Ashley Judd  •  Bruce Greenwood  •  Annabeth Gish

Framed for the murder of her husband, Libby Parsons survives the long years in prison with two burning desires sustaining her -- finding her son and solving the mystery that destroyed her once-happy life. Standing between her and her quest; however, is her parole ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Tommy Lee Jones  •  Ashley Judd  •  Bruce Greenwood  •  Annabeth Gish

Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

BeautifulUpliftingEnjoyableInsightful

The story of an old Jewish widow named Daisy Werthan and her relationship with her black chauffeur, Hoke. From an initial mere work relationship grew in 25 years a strong friendship between the two very different characters in a time when those types of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Morgan Freeman  •  Jessica Tandy  •  Dan Aykroyd  •  Patti LuPone

The story of an old Jewish widow named Daisy Werthan and her relationship with her black chauffeur, Hoke. From an initial mere work relationship grew in 25 years a strong friendship between the two very different characters in a time when those types of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Morgan Freeman  •  Jessica Tandy  •  Dan Aykroyd  •  Patti LuPone

Her Alibi (1989)

A writer of BAD detective novels is in full writers' block. He pretends to be the alibi of a beautiful woman who was arrested for murder at first thinking her innocent, but as she shows more and more interesting abilities (such as knife throwing) he begins to doubt ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Tom Selleck  •  Paulina Porizkova  •  William Daniels  •  James Farentino

A writer of BAD detective novels is in full writers' block. He pretends to be the alibi of a beautiful woman who was arrested for murder at first thinking her innocent, but as she shows more and more interesting abilities (such as knife throwing) he begins to doubt ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Tom Selleck  •  Paulina Porizkova  •  William Daniels  •  James Farentino

Puberty Blues (1981)

Two teenage surf chicks from the southern suburbs of Sydney ingratiate themselves with a new group of boys.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Nell Schofield  •  Jad Capelja  •  Rouna Daley  •  Tony Hughes

Two teenage surf chicks from the southern suburbs of Sydney ingratiate themselves with a new group of boys.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Nell Schofield  •  Jad Capelja  •  Rouna Daley  •  Tony Hughes

Tender Mercies (1983)

Alchoholic former country singer Mac Sledge makes friends with a young widow and her son. The friendship enables him to find inspiration to resume his career.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Robert Duvall  •  Tess Harper  •  Betty Buckley  •  Wilford Brimley

Alchoholic former country singer Mac Sledge makes friends with a young widow and her son. The friendship enables him to find inspiration to resume his career.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Robert Duvall  •  Tess Harper  •  Betty Buckley  •  Wilford Brimley

The Adventures of Barry McKenzie (1972)

Barry McKenzie sets off for England with his aunt, Edna Everage, to advance his cultural education. Bazza is an innocent abroad, fond of beer, Bondi and beautiful sheilas, but he soon settles into the Australian ghetto in Earls Court, where his old mate Curly has a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Barry Crocker  •  Barry Humphries  •  Peter Cook  •  Paul Bertram

Barry McKenzie sets off for England with his aunt, Edna Everage, to advance his cultural education. Bazza is an innocent abroad, fond of beer, Bondi and beautiful sheilas, but he soon settles into the Australian ghetto in Earls Court, where his old mate Curly has a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Barry Crocker  •  Barry Humphries  •  Peter Cook  •  Paul Bertram

Silent Fall (1994)

When an autistic boy witnesses his parents' double murder, controversial therapist Dr. Jake Rainer seeks to probe the child's mind in order to solve the case.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Richard Dreyfuss  •  Linda Hamilton  •  John Lithgow  •  J.T. Walsh

When an autistic boy witnesses his parents' double murder, controversial therapist Dr. Jake Rainer seeks to probe the child's mind in order to solve the case.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Richard Dreyfuss  •  Linda Hamilton  •  John Lithgow  •  J.T. Walsh

King David (1985)

This is a movie about the life of Israel's king David.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Richard Gere  •  Alice Krige  •  Denis Quilley  •  Edward Woodward

This is a movie about the life of Israel's king David.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Richard Gere  •  Alice Krige  •  Denis Quilley  •  Edward Woodward

Last Dance (1996)

Upon taking a new job, young lawyer Rick Hayes is assigned to the clemency case of Cindy Liggett, a woman convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. As Hayes investigates the background for her case, the two begin to form a deep friendship, while all ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Sharon Stone  •  Rob Morrow  •  Randy Quaid  •  Peter Gallagher

Upon taking a new job, young lawyer Rick Hayes is assigned to the clemency case of Cindy Liggett, a woman convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. As Hayes investigates the background for her case, the two begin to form a deep friendship, while all ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Sharon Stone  •  Rob Morrow  •  Randy Quaid  •  Peter Gallagher

The Contract (2006)

Attempting to recover from a recent family trauma by escaping into the woods for a peaceful hiking trip, an ex-lawman and his young son stumble across a dangerous contract killer.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Morgan Freeman  •  John Cusack  •  Alice Krige  •  Megan Dodds

Attempting to recover from a recent family trauma by escaping into the woods for a peaceful hiking trip, an ex-lawman and his young son stumble across a dangerous contract killer.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Morgan Freeman  •  John Cusack  •  Alice Krige  •  Megan Dodds

Peace, Love & Misunderstanding (2011)

A conservative lawyer named Diane takes her two teenage children Jake and Zoe to meet their estranged, hippie grandmother in Woodstock after her husband asks for a divorce.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Jane Fonda  •  Catherine Keener  •  Elizabeth Olsen  •  Chace Crawford

A conservative lawyer named Diane takes her two teenage children Jake and Zoe to meet their estranged, hippie grandmother in Woodstock after her husband asks for a divorce.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Jane Fonda  •  Catherine Keener  •  Elizabeth Olsen  •  Chace Crawford

The Sounds of Aus (2007)

The Sounds of Aus tells the story of the Australian accent: how it came about, how it has evolved over two hundred years of colonial and cultural history, and how it is today.  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Swann
CAST:  John Clarke  •  Barry Crocker  •  Santo Cilauro  •  Rachel Griffiths

The Sounds of Aus tells the story of the Australian accent: how it came about, how it has evolved over two hundred years of colonial and cultural history, and how it is today.  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Swann
CAST:  John Clarke  •  Barry Crocker  •  Santo Cilauro  •  Rachel Griffiths

The Club (1980)

The club buys a talented young player, Geoff, for a record sum of money. The team members do not like their new star and friction develops immediately. Game after game is lost until Geoff begins to realize that there is more at stake than just his own career.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Jack Thompson  •  Graham Kennedy  •  Frank Wilson  •  John Howard

The club buys a talented young player, Geoff, for a record sum of money. The team members do not like their new star and friction develops immediately. Game after game is lost until Geoff begins to realize that there is more at stake than just his own career.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Jack Thompson  •  Graham Kennedy  •  Frank Wilson  •  John Howard

Don's Party (1976)

On the night of the 1969 federal election, Don Henderson invites a group of friends to celebrate a predicted Labor Party victory, much to the dismay of his wife, Kath. The Hendersons and their nine guests drink, joke, make love, and fight, all while coming to terms ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  John Hargreaves  •  Graham Kennedy  •  Ray Barrett  •  Clare Binney

On the night of the 1969 federal election, Don Henderson invites a group of friends to celebrate a predicted Labor Party victory, much to the dismay of his wife, Kath. The Hendersons and their nine guests drink, joke, make love, and fight, all while coming to terms ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  John Hargreaves  •  Graham Kennedy  •  Ray Barrett  •  Clare Binney

The Fringe Dwellers (1986)

The story of an Aboriginal family's attempts to forge a new life for themselves within the segregated society. At the urging of headstrong teenager Trilby, the Comeaways relocate from their family camp, to a house in the main town.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Ernie Dingo  •  Justine Saunders  •  Kristina Nehm  •  Kylie Belling

The story of an Aboriginal family's attempts to forge a new life for themselves within the segregated society. At the urging of headstrong teenager Trilby, the Comeaways relocate from their family camp, to a house in the main town.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Ernie Dingo  •  Justine Saunders  •  Kristina Nehm  •  Kylie Belling

Aria (1987)

Ten short pieces directed by ten different directors, including Ken Russell, Jean-Luc Godard, Robert Altman, Bruce Beresford, and Nicolas Roeg. Each short uses an aria as soundtrack/sound (Vivaldi, Bach, Wagner), and is an interpretation of the particular aria.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Altman  •  Jean-Luc Godard  •  Nicolas Roeg  •  Bruce Beresford  •  Charles Sturridge  •  Julien Temple  •  Ken Russell  •  Franc Roddam  •  Bill Bryden  •  Derek Jarman
CAST:  Theresa Russell  •  Bridget Fonda  •  Buck Henry  •  Stephanie Lane

Ten short pieces directed by ten different directors, including Ken Russell, Jean-Luc Godard, Robert Altman, Bruce Beresford, and Nicolas Roeg. Each short uses an aria as soundtrack/sound (Vivaldi, Bach, Wagner), and is an interpretation of the particular aria.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Altman  •  Jean-Luc Godard  •  Nicolas Roeg  •  Bruce Beresford  •  Charles Sturridge  •  Julien Temple  •  Ken Russell  •  Franc Roddam  •  Bill Bryden  •  Derek Jarman
CAST:  Theresa Russell  •  Bridget Fonda  •  Buck Henry  •  Stephanie Lane

Mao's Last Dancer (2009)

At the age of 11, Li was plucked from a poor Chinese village by Madame Mao's cultural delegates and taken to Beijing to study ballet. In 1979, during a cultural exchange to Texas, he fell in love with an American woman. Two years later, he managed to defect and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Chi Cao  •  Chengwu Guo  •  Wen Bin Huang  •  Joan Chen

At the age of 11, Li was plucked from a poor Chinese village by Madame Mao's cultural delegates and taken to Beijing to study ballet. In 1979, during a cultural exchange to Texas, he fell in love with an American woman. Two years later, he managed to defect and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Beresford
CAST:  Chi Cao  •  Chengwu Guo  •  Wen Bin Huang  •  Joan Chen
2 3