Among Tom’s last productions, it was really cool for me to discover this - quite unknown - treasure (this appearance is not listed on his pages at IMDb or BFI, so it seems to be pretty unknown): a short film he starred in, in 2006, made by a young, aspiring British filmmaker named Scott Johnston, Birmingham. This director of this short experimental has himself posted this short film with Tom - called Kraft - on YouTube.com. You’ll find his personal YouTube-page here. I just happened to discover this wonderful little short film by chance when I searched for clips with Tom on YouTube.. Cool.!
What I’ve enjoyed much when I’ve checked up on Tom’s work is his choice to do a lot of independent and rare stuff, and how he often seemed to support young, upcoming British film directors. Especially in his last years he really seemed to enjoy working with young people and young talants. I really admire that! That’s brave and cool for an actor of his caliber to do, and generous. *:)
I like the spooky “Halloween”, sort of, feeling that this short has. And I think it’s beautifully shot and great acted, even if I don’t get the story fully.. but I do like the atmosphere! I have no idea who the other actors are (perhaps friends of the director?), as I only recognice Tom here. Anyway; enjoy!
Description of the film from the filmmaker at YouTube:
“A short film I made in 2006, inspired by an early short by POLANSKI,
and featuring the late, great British character actor TOM BELL (Wish
You Were Here, The Krays, The Magic Toyshop). With a fantastic
dissonant score by the experimental group PRAM. If you would like
a full-res DVD copy of the film, contact me at:
filmficciones70@aol.com ” 8-)
KRAFT (posted in two parts):
Part 1
Part 2
Cool, isn’t it?! :-) I really like the opening with Tom in the alley and the kids, and the ending where Kraft drives the poor, frightened lad back through his bizarr wooden puppets and out from the place… boooooooooo! :-D
Anyway.. this, by the way, answers my previous wonderings over Tom’s use of different accents and stuff - or not - as an actor.. I sincerely hope it didn’t escape no one that he’s got a nice, little twisted German accent-thing going on here in this short :-D, giving a bit of extra (like as if that was needed ;)) creepy-ness to this peculiar Kraft character he’s playing. Nice. :-)
2 Comments
May 5, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Nice videos!
It’s also nice to hear that he did a lot of indies! Like the fabulous Jude Kuring!
May 29, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Whinny says : I absolutely agree with this !
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