The Best Film I Never Made

And Other Stories about a Life in the Arts

This entertaining collection of pieces from the acclaimed director of Breaker Morant, Driving Miss Daisy and Mao’s Last Dancer features memoirs, brief lives and revealing accounts of the film world.

Alongside unsung heroes from behind the camera and producers of dubious repute are Madeleine St John and Clive James, Margaret Olley and Jeffrey Smart, as well as a particularly seductive 1963 EH Holden—and Bruce Beresford’s father, whose strange and startling decline in old age is charted in a brilliant, poignant essay.

Opinionated, wry and engaging, The Best Film I Never Made will provoke and delight in equal measure. It is the ideal gift not only for cinema buffs but for anyone interested in music, art or literature.

Bruce Beresford has directed more than two dozen films, including Breaker Morant, Tender Mercies, Driving Miss Daisy, Black Robe, Double Jeopardy and Mao’s Last Dancer. He has directed Rigoletto for the Los Angeles Opera and A Streetcar Named Desire for Opera Australia, and is the author of Josh Hartnett Definitely Wants to Do This. He lives in Sydney.

‘Beresford’s style resembles the action of a veteran wrist-spinner. His technique looks loose, even effortless. His sentences drift along genially for a while, then suddenly bite the pitch and turn…He isn’t merely smart by Hollywood standards. He is smart by any standard...In a world rife with philistines, he demonstrates that the best revenge is laughter, and living and working well.’ Australian

‘Beresford writes with skill and insight, humour.’ Otago Daily Times

‘This quirky collection of occasional writings from 2007 to 2017 paints a picture of a modest man with a curious mind…Beresford retains a wry sense of humour and an enjoyable willingness to share candid and unflattering details.’ Big Issue

‘A collection of warm, droll and often frank personal essays…An honest and reflective book.’ AU Review