Boy and Bicycle (1965)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Ridley Scott

Writer:

Ridley Scott (written by)

Genre:

Short

Cast

Tony Scott

...

The Schoolboy

Also Known As:

Boy on a Bicycle

Runtime:

27 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Company:

British Film Institute (BFI)

Trivia:

This being Ridley Scott's first short film, it is featured on the DVD version of The Duellists (1977), which was Scott's first feature length film.

Movie Connections:

Edited into Cinema16: British Short Films (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

Onward Christian Spacemen

Interesting first effort from a master visualist

Found as an extra on Ridley's fantastic feature debut, THE DUELLISTS, this short film is actually Ridley Scott's first completed work. Originally done during schooling, the student nature of the film is quite evident. Yet despite this, it is representative of Ridley's unconventional visual style, and his excellent eye for composition. This underrated director gives us stark visuals in black and white and using only natural light, making the film all that much more special. The narrative is somewhat obtuse, a peek into a young boy's thoughts as he rides around a small English town playing hooky. Definitely art house material, and thus not for everybody, but a must see for anyone with an interest in direction, cinematography or a die hard Ridley Scott fan. Almost as essential as THE DUELLISTS itself.