by Ceri Levy
Standing in at 13 years in the making, Craig McCall’s film about Jack Cardiff, probably England’s finest cinematographer and Oscar winner (Black Narcissus), is finally available for public consumption and about time too. This has been a labor of love but we are rewarded with a fitting and engaging tribute to Jack. The sad point is that Jack never lived to see this well crafted documentary. And unfortunately death is probably the reason why the funding fell into place to get the film finished and why the BFI (British Film Institute) ran a season of his films in May. Death has always been the greatest career invigorator.
Cameraman is a mix of classic film clips, Jack’s home movies, both on and off set, documentary footage and interviews with his associates, ranging from Kirk Douglas, Lauren Bacall and Charlton Heston through to Martin Scorsese, who proves to be deeply knowledgeable about Jack’s work but first and foremost a fan. Jack himself, is hugely engaging and relates anecdotes as if they were being told for the very first time. Relaxed and erudite, it is easy to feel warmed by his presence on screen. I am saddened to say that I don’t think they make them like him anymore.
Marilyn Monroe photographed by Jack Cardiff
His visual influences included great painters, from Vermeer to the Impressionists, and his ability to paint with light and create sumptuous looks with techniques such as his use of chiaroscuro, was extraordinary. Cameraman enables us to look back in time, view his art and see that without pioneers of visual beauty and cinematic artistry such as Jack, we may not have the modern cinematic world as we now have it.
Director Michael Powell , Jack Cardiff and crew.
Red Shoes
Red Shoes
There is a scene where Jack is at home pointing at portraits on the wall of some of his co-workers, including Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and Humphrey Bogart, ”She’s dead, she’s dead, he’s dead… and I’m just alive.” And in that moment you realize that you are in the presence of the last vestiges of a disappearing age. Many people never realize the importance of a cameraman, for often it is the director that gets all the plaudits but behind every great director there is often an equally great cameraman. His roll call of who he has worked with is extraordinary, Hitchcock, Powell and Pressburger, Dietrich, Ava Gardner. The list is an endless catalog of the greats and his films include, A Matter of Life and Death, The Red Shoes, The African Queen and he even shot Rambo. He has straddled film time like no other.
Oscar winner for Best Cinematography, Black Narcissus
Oscar winner for Best Cinematography, Black Narcissus
A Matter of Life and Death.
A still of the documentary. Jack talking about his portraits
Jack Cardiff was awarded in 2001 an honorary Oscar by the the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) for his services to film-making "Simplicity," he once reflected, "that's the secret of good lighting and good cinematography. Always keep it simple."
Martin Scorsese says, “ We have to keep making films like this,” and he’s right, and you can help by seeing the movie anywhere you are. The more people that see it there then the more chance it will get to play in cinemas across the country. That’s how distribution works these days. No gambles, no risks, no emotion, just bums on seats. So do your bit and go and see it and let your presence help form a future for this tribute to one of England’s finest. The film is now available on Netflix.
Cameraman – The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff. Directed by Craig McCall and produced by Craig McCall and Richard McGill. You can see videos about Jack Cardiff in our On Demand video playlist above.
Courtesy of Caught by the River.net
