For the first time in more than 40 years, screen legends Bryan Brown and director Bruce Beresford have reunited to make a “powerful, funny and moving family story” set in Western Australia.

Beresford first cast Brown in his 1978 crime flick, Money Movers, before casting him in his breakthrough role playing an Australian soldier during the Boer War in Breaker Morant in 1980.

Now the pair, whose combined careers since have clocked up to 200 films, TV series and documentaries between them, with trophies and awards galore on their bookshelves, have joined forces to make a comedy drama in Overture.

Like Money Movers and Breaker Morant, Beresford has written the screenplay and is behind the camera as production starts in various locations across Perth and “untouched” nearby country towns.

Oscar nominated Beresford, known for films such as Driving Miss Daisy (which won best picture), Mao’s Last Dancer and Ladies in Black, said the script practically “wrote itself”.

“When writing this story my aim was to create an involving story, with a range of characters supplying considerable humour.

“Once I started writing the script it practically wrote itself and I was delighted to find my characters dictating to me what they would do and even say next.”

He says he has a “fantastic line-up of cast”, and that includes Brown at the top of the credits list.

“He’s a fabulous actor,” Beresford has previously described Brown, who he cast as Lieutenant Peter Hancock – one of three Australians court-martialled for executing prisoners in Breaker Morant.

“He has a great naturalism about him. I remember he always seemed to be improvising the dialogue,” Beresford said.

“In fact, he’s very meticulous about saying what’s on the page, but he makes it seem absolutely real.

“I wanted a very natural, straightforward, shoot-from-the-hip Australian character, and I met him, and thought, ‘He can give me that.’ ”

He also cast Jack Thompson, Charles Bud Tingwell and Terence Donovan in the memorable feature film.

Bryan Brown (who grew a moustache), Lewis Fitzgerald and Edward Woodward in Breaker Morant in 1979. Photo: AAP

No doubt Brown is thrilled to be making more Australian stories, especially with major production investment from Screen Australia and Screenwest with post, digital and visual effects supported by Screen NSW.

At the National Press Club in Canberra last year, Brown, 77, delivered a passionate address, speaking both about regulating streaming giants and the importance of making local content to avoid a “cultural death”.

“If our ability to present ourselves on film is taken away, we will become unsure of ourselves, in awe of others and less as a people,” he said.

“A thriving film and television industry presents who we are to the world.”

Overture was made possible with the WA Production Attraction Incentive, Australia’s most competitive incentive, which is designed to attract high profile, market driven screen productions to the state.

To be released worldwide next year, the film follows the journey of Stephen Seary, played by Luke Bracey (Elvis, Hacksaw Ridge, Interceptor), who is a successful stage designer returning to his small Australian hometown to say goodbye to his dying mother.

“Chaos, drama and at times downright funny moments unfold as Stephen navigates family responsibilities, old friends and past lovers, all while trying to return to Europe for a major opera design contract,” reads the official synopsis.

Brown and Bracey star alongside Susie Porter (Mercy Road, Transfusion, Gold), with an ensemble cast of Celia Massingham (DC Legends of Tomorrow, Ladies in Black, Reef n Beef), and newcomers Shubshri Kandiah (Beauty and the Beast musical) and Nicholas Hammond (The Amazing Spider-Man, The Sound of Music, Once upon a Time in Hollywood).

“When I first read Bruce’s script, I was taken by the simplicity of structure but captivated by the complexity of the characters and situations,” says Ambience Entertainment’s producer, Michael Boughen.

“Bruce’s ability to tell this story and confront issues we all have or will face, resonated profoundly with me.

“Bruce is a unique and gifted filmmaker and he’s at his best with Overture.”

Screen Australia boss Grainne Brunsdon said Beresford has “built a career by creating distinctive Australian stories that connect with audiences and travel the world”.

“There is a real appetite for his next feature.”

Bryan Brown in Boy Swallows Universe. Photo: Netflix

Brown became an international success in the late 1970s with Breaker Morant, which premiered in 1980 and won 10 AACTA awards and was nominated for an Oscar for best screenplay.

He made A Town Like Alice, Love Letters from Teralba Road, and enjoyed golden years that produced classics such as The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith, My Brilliant Career, Picnic at Hanging Rock and Mad Max.

A string of hits followed, including The Thorn Birds, Gorillas in the Mist, FX, Newsfront, The Shiralee, Cocktail and Two Hands.

Last year,  he wrote his first novel based around an Aussie coastal town, The Drowning; starred in Sydney-produced feature film Anyone But You, and played a key role in Trent Dalton’s adaptation of Boy Swallows Universe (nominated this year for a Silver Logie for best supporting actor).

“What a story the Australian story is,” says Brown.