The Bruno Lawrence Collection

Actor Bruno Lawrence's charisma was key to many defining NZ film, TV and music moments. Lawrence — aka 'Bruno' — is one of a handful (Buck, Billy T, Crumpy) of Kiwi icons who have achieved sufficient mana to be recognised by an abbreviated name. Jack Nicholson reputedly had Bruno envy.

To honour his birthday (Saturday 12 February) this collection [http://www.nzonscreen.com/collection/the-bruno-lawrence-collection] celebrates his inimitable performances and life. Lawrence would have been 70 this year.

It includes excerpts from the roles that made Bruno's screen legend: broken down racing car driver Al Shaw (Smash Palace), man alone Zac Hobson (Quiet Earth), and shotgun-toting settler Williamson (Utu); as well as many of his memorable supporting turns: 'Baldini' in Goodbye Pork Pie, the simpleton in It's Lizzie to Those Close (his favourite role).

Steve La Hood's acclaimed documentary Numero Bruno — a warts and all biography of the widely popular actor, musician and counter-cultural figure — looks at Bruno's career and character, as does a snappy Magic Kiwis episode. There's also everything from Blerta and pioneering Geoff Murphy collaborations — the pioneering Wild Man, Tank Busters — rarely seen since they screened; his turn as a Crocodiles drummer (Tears), through to curios such as his roles in The Venus Touch(notorious for newsreader Angela D'Audney going full-frontal!), Inside Straight, and Battletruck.

In written background pieces [http://www.nzonscreen.com/collection/the-bruno-lawrence-collection/background], screenwriter Keith Aberdein pays tribute: "without him I doubt that there would be that rather vague thing we call the New Zealand film industry." Director Steve La Hood offers candid reflections on filming a biography on such a contradictory persona; and Sunday Star Times film critic Barney McDonald analyses Bruno's charisma:

"Lawrence was the real deal, a man who could emote and decimate in equal measure, sometimes in the same moment."

Get a dose of the man NZ Herald critic Peter Calder described as, "local movies' most magnetic leading man".

ENDS

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