Weir, Peter (Lindsay) (1944- )

Australian film director who has worked much in the USA. His films, which range from melodramas to comedies, include the Australian Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) and Gallipoli (1981), and the US The Year of Living Dangerously (1983), Witness (1985), Dead Poets Society (1989; BAFTA award for Best Film), and The Truman Show (1998; BAFTA award for Best Director and London Film Critics' Circle award for Director of the Year).

Weir's work is marked by an atmospheric quality and often contains a strong spiritual element. Other films include The Mosquito Coast (1986), the comedy Green Card (1990), Fearless (1993), and Master and Commander (2003).