Post by sacrilegend on May 21, 2007 8:09:30 GMT -5
Bruce Robinson (born 2 May 1946) is an English director and screenwriter. He was born in Broadstairs in Kent. In his youth, Robinson dreamed of being an actor and was admitted to the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. His first film role was as Benvolio in Franco Zeffirelli's film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet (1968). He eventually became disenchanted with acting after spending several years out of work and living on social security payments and began writing screenplays and was soon commissioned by David Puttnam to write the screenplay for The Killing Fields (1984). Robinson was nominated for an Academy Award and won a BAFTA for his work. He is perhaps best known as the creative force behind the film Withnail and I. He wrote and directed the autobiographical film, which is based on his experiences as an out-of-work actor. The character of 'Withnail' is based on his friend, Vivian McKerrell, and the character of 'I' (Marwood) is based on himself. This film also launched the acting career of Richard E. Grant. Withnail and I was unsuccessful at the box office, but developed a cult following after its video release. It is now considered a modern classic. Robinson is also an author, having written a successful novel (The Peculiar Memories Of Thomas Penman) and his autobiography, Smoking In Bed: Conversations With Bruce Robinson (2000), which was edited by Alistair Owen.
