NZ on Screen: Bruno Lawrence

Posted Wednesday 23 Feb 2011

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 NZ On Screen 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).
In written
background pieces, 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".