Peter Weir is one of the most important directors of the Australian New Wave, challenged only in stature by legendary Mad Max creator, George Miller. Weir's fruitful career has spanned five decades, covered almost every genre in the book, and earned him four Oscar nominations for Best Director.
All of his films are worth checking out, but his highest-ranked is an excellent place to start. From dreamy mysteries and compelling dramas to visionary historical epics, there's something for everyone in his filmography, a collection replete with undiscovered gems and enduring classics.
The Last Wave (1977) - 7.0
Supernatural mystery-thriller The Last Wave follows David Burton, a lawyer whose world begins to unravel after he’s assigned a strange case involving a group of Indigenous Australians charged with murder. As troubling weather conditions plague the city of Sydney, Burton begins to receive strange visions warning of an impending disaster.
Weir’s third film already shows signs of his illusory filmmaking style and obsession with ecological phenomena. Enhanced by an excellent performance from star Richard Chamberlain, The Last Wave holds a strong 7.0 rating on IMDb.
Fearless (1993) - 7.1
Weir’s 1993 film Fearless stars Jeff Bridges as a man who emerges uninjured from a devastating plane crash. The experience causes him to undergo a radical change of personality, as he believes he has become immortal.
Fearless features a career-best turn from Rosie Perez, who was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film. Like many of Weir’s other films, it uses its fairly simple premise to explore poignant themes, such as guilt and redemption.
The Year Of Living Dangerously (1982) - 7.1
Set in 1965, The Year of Living Dangerously follows Australian reporter Guy Hamilton, who falls in love with an English diplomat while on assignment in Indonesia. As the country’s growing civil unrest reaches a tipping point, Hamilton digs dangerously deep in pursuit of his biggest story yet.
The Year of Living Dangerously is an immersive, thrilling experience that does justice to its picturesque setting. It's an unforgettable recreation of the final moments before an event that changed history forever.
The Way Back (2010) - 7.3
Weir’s latest film is 2010's The Way Back, following a prisoner of war who plots a daring escape from a Soviet labor camp. The result is a compelling story anchored by strong performances from an ensemble cast including Jim Sturgess, Saoirse Ronan, and Ed Harris.
The masterful cinematography of Weir’s longtime collaborator, Russell Boyd, gives added beauty and depth to the tale of impossible survival. Despite performing poorly at the box office, the film received mostly positive reviews from critics.
Gallipoli (1981) - 7.4
The historical drama Gallipoli follows two poverty-stricken young men who join the Australian Army in the midst of World War I. Despite its many historical inaccuracies, the film’s solemn, introspective take on the Battle of Gallipoli makes it a highly engrossing watch.
Weir’s confident direction expertly captures the brutal event without sensationalizing it, creating a gut-wrenching portrayal of war and its effect on the human spirit that is fully deserving of its top 10 ranking.
Witness (1985) - 7.4
One of Weir’s earliest successes was the neo-noir film Witness, which stars Harrison Ford as a detective (in one of his best roles that doesn't involve Indiana Jones or Han Solo), who tries to piece together the truth based on a young boy’s account of witnessing a sadistic murder.
The film was nominated for eight Oscars and launched Weir’s international career, cementing his status as one of the finest working directors of the day.
Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World (2003) - 7.4
Based on three separate entries in the Aubrey-Maturin book series by novelist Patrick O’Brien, Peter Weir’s historical epic, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, is his most ambitious effort to date. Following the crew of a Royal Navy ship fighting in the Napoleonic wars, Weir’s action-driven drama is a visual achievement hoisted by a controlling performance from Russell Crowe.
Though it was overshadowed at the Oscars by Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, the film was generally loved by critics and audiences alike. A prequel based on the first book in the series is in development at 20th Century Studios.
Picnic At Hanging Rock (1975) - 7.5
Weir’s second film, the ethereal, captivating period drama Picnic at Hanging Rock, is one of the finest entries in his stellar catalog. Based on Joan Lindsay’s novel of the same name, the film follows the fallout caused by the disappearance of three schoolgirls and a teacher during a Valentine’s Day excursion to the titular Hanging Rock.
A dreamlike, mystical experience that continues to befuddle and enchant many, Picnic at Hanging Rock ranks as one of Weir's highest.
Dead Poets Society (1989) - 8.1
One of Weir’s biggest successes both critically and commercially, Dead Poets Society is a time-honored classic. The inspiring drama stars Robin Williams as an eccentric English teacher who encourages his students to express themselves through learning and writing poetry.
Endearing characters and quotable moments elevate the memorable film to extraordinary status. Not only is it one of Weir's highest-ranked movies on IMDb, but it's also #217 in the site’s overall list of highest-rated movies ever.
The Truman Show (1998) - 8.1
The Truman Show’s unique premise has long been memorialized in the pop culture lexicon, but even viewers who’ve already heard the story can find a lot to enjoy from Weir’s existential comedy-drama. Jim Carrey shines as a man who slowly realizes his life is actually an elaborate television show, and viewers empathize with him as he attempts to navigate the way out of the constructed reality.
An extraordinary screenplay by Andrew Niccol makes The Truman Show equal parts charming and tragic, and it's a beautiful mess of ideas and symbolism.