Hurst on Film 1928 to 1970

HURST ON FILM 1928-1970
BRIAN DESMOND HURST - The Human Blarney Stone. The first extended evaluation and celebration of the life and work of the legendary Belfast-born film director including a full archive of every Hurst film.

"Brian was one of the most delightful men I ever knew. I once told Frank Capra, 'It's a good thing Brian went back to Britain. He could have given us out here a run for the money.'" John Ford

Brian Desmond Hurst is best known for Scrooge (1951) starring Alastair Sim and was Ireland's most prolific film director of the 20th century. He is arguably amongst the best UK war film directors.

Hurst on Film 1928-1970, at over 600 pages and 1,000 images, brings together for the first time Hurst's richly entertaining and sometimes scandalous memoirs with photos, press releases and posters from the official Hurst archives (many hitherto unseen).

Born in 1895 in East Belfast, Hurst fought at Gallipoli in 1915 and then studied art before getting a lucky break in Hollywood where he was mentored by the legendary John Ford. Returning to the UK, Hurst directed over 30 films over four decades across three continents leading a flamboyant and unapologetically gay life style.

With a foreword by Allan Esler Smith, this book has been curated by Caitlin Smith and Stephen Wyatt, who all believe a celebration of Brian's career and cinematic legacy is long overdue. Caitlin Smith, Hurst's great, great, great niece, selected over 1,000 images from the Hurst Estate archives to design around and supplement the memoir written by Stephen Wyatt in the 1970s (award-winning writer for radio, television and theatre).

Lavishly produced, this book is a visual treat offering fresh insights into British and Irish film history.

BOOK REVIEWS

Hurst was a flamboyant, exciting director and Hurst on Film is a terrific mix of fact, memory and images that captures the man and his work.
Josephine Botting, curator of fiction, British Film Institute

Hurst on Film is an extraordinary record of the work of a major underestimated and under appreciated son of Belfast and influence on Irish born film directors.
Redmond Morris, film producer

Hurst, great film director and an astute, sometimes wittily acerbic, wise commentator on the arts and humankind. Hurst on Film is a delight, both to read (aloud) and to look at.
Mike Catto, historian and film critic

Northern Ireland's greatest film director is, of course, Brian Desmond Hurst. Hurst on Film, reveals an extraordinary career with a wealth of unseen material, photos, letters and his memoir. A real visual treat for film lovers.
Brain Henry Martin, broadcaster and film maker

HURST ON FILM: Superb images and anecdotes: the extraordinary journey taken by Brian Desmond Hurst.
William Lawrence, friend of Brian, playwright and artist

Absolute treasure trove.
Matthew Sweet. Broadcaster and cultural historian. Author of Shepperton Babylon: The Lost Worlds of British Cinema

At last - Brian Desmond Hurst's memoirs are available for a wider readership, enhanced with reviews, photographs and posters of his films and press coverage of his films and career. Hurst on Film is both a labour of love from editors Caitlin Smith and Stephen Wyatt, and an invaluable resource for scholars and fans of Belfast native Brian Desmond Hurst's celebrated filmmaking career.
Ruth Barton, FTCD, MRIA, Head of School of Creative Arts, Trinity College Dublin

Having known Brian and seen the laughter that filled our home when he was with my grandfather I knew Brian deserved more recognition. Hurst on Film delivers this recognition and shows the genius of Hurst.
Dan Ford. Grandson of John Ford. Author of Pappy: The Life of John Ford