Brian Gilbert, a distinguished and celebrated film director, hailed from England, yet spent a substantial and formative portion of his childhood in Australia, where his acting career in film, television, and radio initially took root at a remarkably young age.
As he matured and progressed through the years, he returned to England at the tender age of fourteen, subsequently completing his education at the prestigious Oxford University.
Gilbert's illustrious career as a professional actor spanned numerous years prior to his remarkable decision to pivot and pursue a new path in 1979, when he enrolled as a directing student at the esteemed National Film and Television School. His exceptional graduation film, "The Devotee", garnered widespread critical acclaim, prompting renowned producer David Puttnam to promptly commission Gilbert to create a feature-length film for the prestigious Channel Four First Love series during the 1980s.
He embarked on a remarkable journey in the world of filmmaking, commencing with the direction of The Frog Prince, a collaborative effort between French and English production teams, in the year 1984. This milestone marked the beginning of a fruitful period in his career, during which he would go on to helm the production of Vice Versa in 1988, a film that would showcase his versatility as a director. Furthermore, he would also work on Not Without My Daughter in 1990, a cinematic adaptation of the highly controversial bestseller of the same name. This critically acclaimed film boasted an impressive cast, featuring the talented Sally Field as the protagonist, Betty Mahmoody, in a performance that would leave a lasting impression on audiences worldwide.
Four years subsequent to his initial endeavour, Gilbert undertook the direction of Tom & Viv, a cinematic endeavour that would delve into the storied union of the renowned poet, T.S. Eliot, and his inaugural marital partnership. This endeavour would boast an impressive cast, featuring the talents of Willem Dafoe and the esteemed Miranda Richardson, ultimately garnering a total of two Academy Award nominations in recognition of its exceptional merit.
Following this notable achievement, Gilbert would go on to direct the 1997 production of Wilde, a cinematic retelling of the life and times of the iconic Oscar Wilde. This endeavour would boast an impressive cast, featuring the talents of Jude Law and the accomplished Stephen Fry, and would be based on the comprehensive biography of Oscar Wilde penned by the esteemed Richard Ellmann.
In the year 2002, the renowned filmmaker, Gilbert, took the reins of the cinematic project, The Gathering, which boasted an impressive cast, featuring the talented Christina Ricci. In addition to this endeavor, Gilbert also ventured into the realm of documentary filmmaking, creating the thought-provoking documentary, Lord Haw-Haw: Portrait of a Fanatic, specifically for broadcast on UK and Irish television.
Furthermore, Gilbert's creative pursuits extended to the stage, as he directed the theatrical adaptation of Mary Kenny's captivating play, Allegiance, starring the accomplished Mel Smith. This production was skillfully produced by Daniel Jewel and showcased at the esteemed Edinburgh Festival in the year 2006.
Gilbert's professional trajectory has been marked by a unique blend of experience in both the iconic Hollywood film industry and the esteemed UK cinematic scene, with his expertise now being shared as a frequent guest lecturer at the prestigious National Film and Television School.
