The Collector - WW1 short film

(HD Version now on Vimeo vimeo.com/1255...)
Some risks are worth taking.
1917 France. With every death a British sniper inflicts he risks everything to make a strange inventory to those he has killed. But the strain of war and haunting images of his wife merge to torment him.
Starring Beth Winslet and Alex King.
Produced in 2005 I've finally decided to make this film fully online.
This is a rather basic transfer to a digital file, but for more information go to www.goodguysproductions.co.uk
Thanks to all who took part that summer, I had a blast.

[@Lorne65]

Many thanks for all the kind words in the comments here. It's always daunting putting ones work 'out' for all to see so the feedback means a lot. If you do like it please pass it on. Thank you- Lorne

[@kapjoteh]

Good Guys Productions outstanding work, finally recommended something good

[@stuartwhelan233]

Absolutely brilliant mate well done to you all who made this short film

[@dimcegorgiev9514]

F

[@risatzinberg1170]

This just came through my feed and Thank God it did. What a powerful film. The exact thing that kept him sane and steady is what killed him. To show there is nothing safe and sane about war. And yet it gave the fresh young recruit his courage to pick up where he left off without a beat. It just shows what lengths and how powerful our minds can go and be to put us in a place of “comfort and safety” under the most horrific of circumstances. You created that beautifully. Thank you. Thank you and God bless to all those who served and sacrificed and continue to serve and sacrifice. 🙏🙏💐

[@connerconvert1350]

Great movie. One of the best WWI short films I have ever seen.

[@Lorne65]

Big thanks ConnerConvert, please do pass it on to get some hits. Its really great for me to hear nice comments like this - Thanks Lorne

[@tostie3110]

Excellent work depicting this situation. I like the attention to detail, and especcially the attitude of the officer was very realistic.

[@nikolaysinitsyn9346]

Luuk de Wijse yes

[@mercedesmarmorek9252]

Hi Lorne. I don`t know if your remembre me, but I worked as part of the art department during the shooting of this short, in Winchester. I have the best memory of those times, and yesterday I decided to search the internet to see if I could find the finished film, which I had never seen. It was great to find it, and it made me proud to have been part of it! A few months after shooting I came back to my home country, Argentina, where I worked a lot as an art director assistant in film and advertising. Then I switched to opera. This year I´m stage-directing my fourth opera production after countless of jobs as an assitant director. But I miss my days working in the art department of short films in England. Just wanted to say hi and thanks for letting me be part fo your film. All the best, Mercedes.

[@Lorne65]

Hi Mercedes, what a lovely comment thankyou. Its fantastic to hear about what you are doing in Argentina now and your fond memories of the shoot, all your work is there on the screen not to mention 1500 sandbags! Contact me through the GoodGuys site, be good to see some of your work.

[@jacobchrisman3527]

I don't mean to be critical, but there's absolutely no way the trenches would look that good, especially the British one because it looks spotless, but good job on the film it's great!

[@theredneckbuddha2763]

@@jacobchrisman3527 I'm no history buff compared to others, but I'd have to say it's a bit difficult to have actors for multiple days at a time in mud and water, not to mention a lot of camera equipment as well, so this might just be a precaution

[@sprintershepherd4359]

@@jacobchrisman3527 not all trenches were shit like portrayed in most war movies . depends when the trench was built and what time of year it was and how much action the trench had seen . they were building new trenches on new parts of the front all the time

[@CadmusHD]

@@jacobchrisman3527 So where is your ultra-realistic 100% historically accurate WW1 short film? Ah you haven't made one or even uploaded anything to KZbin? Of course.

[@escormillos]

This film was outstanding Brilliant -thank you for putting it up. Hollywood eat your heart out.

[@peepresc8002]

Wow, this was a fantastic short film. Well done to all concerned and connected. Would love to see more. I will share this on my facebook page and on The Liverpool Pals Page. A page dedicated to The Liverpool Pals Battalions of WW1.

[@cooldewd35]

Extremely well done. Pity it wasn't a fully fledged movie. Excellent work.

[@mishtaromaniello8295]

I am extremely impressed. I watch so many short films on KZbin about WW1; all either no plot or extremely bad filmmaking skills. But this is amazing. The directing is what I'd call professional-quality and the character development left me in awe. I am truly honored to have my eyes gaze apon this film. My hat tips off to you.

[@Lorne65]

+Mishta Romaniello Many thanks for such encouraging words Mishta.

[@Nathan-bd6cq]

Have you ever seen Coward? I remember that one being pretty good.

[@mishtaromaniello8295]

Nathan Bowie I have seen it, and that is also a personal favorite of mine. This and Coward are my top two WW1 short films.

[@GudHunterYT96]

I hope one day you guys actually make full movies

[@goodguysproductionsltd1134]

Thanks Aldon Its a tough one to get films made now, especially full feature films, but comments like this keep the hope alive, so thank you

[@Tmilitaria]

Amazing Movie, despite being old it is amazing. Love the songs at the end! Kind Regards, TM.

[@jacobtrujillo9469]

Such exceptional work. Such a talented director, cast, writing, production. Thank you for the gift of your talent shared in this video. It is much appreciated.

[@goodguyszoom]

Hi Jacob so good to read. I do read all the comments and its truly heartening to read your appreciation. Yes a lot of effort of course and made for a pretty small sum for film, our cash budget was only £10k

[@HeeneStudios]

This is amazing! The filming quality is like a full feature film! We'll directed also!

[@Lorne65]

Heene Studios Thanks Heene Studios, great to read such supportive comments. We had a pretty small budget really. Be good to write and direct more like this but alas its not commercial to create shorts like this. HD version on Vimeo now too.

[@julz3tt3]

This is so well edited and presented for a short film on a budget. It's very high quality, Cinema quality in fact. The story is so very sad and well thought of. Flowers and death 🥀🌹💐

[@Lorne65]

Thanks for v kind words, means a lot. Yes it was a tight budget. We'd love to make this a bigger film but feature film industry is a bit of a closed shop.

[@magnvsmarcvs]

Excelent , music at the end , that moment he was shot , it has spirit...

[@HistoryBoy]

I loved this short! Thank you so much for posting it!

[@kd5txo]

I loved the extreme close up shots at the first battlefield sniping scene.... the elevation adjustment shot at 1:06, etc.. very effective at suspending disbelief. The end result was masterful. Thanks for sharing your work.

[@rjasontwenty1099]

lol, welldone, i forsaw the fact that he was going for the flower at the end, and the new guy was entering the hide out that he would be the next snipa and the other would die, living in a dream-real world...and the jokes were good (two guys )

[@McMonkeyful]

Fantastic film! Genuinely touching. One of the best short war films I've seen (and there have been quite a few popping up in my feed recently). The story was solid. Good acting. Looks great. Really well done.

[@Lorne65]

Many thanks Rooster for your kind words. This was made some years ago but it means a lot to read feedback like this. Pls share of you think others will enjoy it.

[@chunkyd77]

great short, it would be cool to see this into a full length movie, very accurate and very well detailed

[@bodon65]

Absolutely marvellous film. To capture the heart and emotion in 17 minutes!! Well done. i must say it gives me great pleasure to see the large number of well done short films set in the first war. The big history stories have all been told. I love seeing these snapshots of the men who really counted

[@Lorne65]

Thanks Robert. v kind words

[@christophermartinlobb2260]

Enjoyed this very much. Professional and artistic.

[@gad8476]

Good job, man. You are severely underappreciated.

[@bryangmailmcgrath5048]

reminded me of memories of my own past, fabulous depiction is such a short time. many kudos! thumbs up

[@Mod-rw9cw]

Bryan McGrath KUDOS you 🔔

[@demit189]

Amazing! 9.5/10! Much better than other short films I have seen.👍🏻

[@boston4715]

my great grandfather was an English rifleman who was lucky enough to be promoted to the role of sniper before being sent to the Somme, i recently found his binoculars and a spotting/periscope in my grandma's spare room and so decided to look into some of the WW1 history as i feel a duty to attempt to understand what it was like; i never knew him and he never spoke of his experiences to anyone. I don't support war of any kind, but its been very enlightening looking into the statistics and history of the War, and your movie has given me some insight into the lifestyle that my Great Grandfather would of had before he was lucky enough to make it back alive. Thanks for your movie; i think these films are important and that we should use them to try and remind ourselves of the horrors we can so easily bring upon the world.

[@boston4715]

on a side note: ive noticed this has been shot with a film camera and not digital (?) i love the grain effect, i think it makes atmospheres more real in films. Im one of those "vinyl better than CD" type of guys.

[@Lorne65]

Joe Clilverd Hi Joe many thanks for the comments. Yes it was shot on S16mm...cant agree more vinyl and a pick up every time

[@kurivaimpaharet583]

Well.. *MADE.* but..'How many people died in World War One.. *'Casualties'* kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXu3nGZomrqCaaM ..What was the life expectancy of a pilot..How much did the war cost the world'.. *'GRUESOME'* kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6emoqWnq7t5d9k *too* MUCH..? 'Find out'.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHaklqiHfbutZ6M ..'out here'.. *WW1.*

[@Dog.soldier1950]

Good luck to you then when the Russians land

[@Blanqmind]

this film is just magnificent a bloody masterpiece

[@Lorne65]

Thanks Waffen le von Baldzly - great name! Really nice comments to warm a filmmakers heart. If only TV producers would see the same. thank you

[@thatnot_funnyyoujusttrybec7835]

I like you

[@markelmer9822]

Excellent short film and done on the best medium film ! Lovely colouration from that Kodak 500t. Why do so many people comment about “inaccuracies” A good film is about the ART and not about attention to details which are irrelevant to the overall aesthetic. This is not a documentary but a creative imagining and works very well indeed. I enjoyed it very much 👍

[@darcymcnabb9259]

You are wrong about the effects of realism to film.

[@SirDaffyD]

WOW!! What can I say. Very powerful & moving.

[@kaigrundmann9277]

great job. funny to watch this film as a german. The scene in the flowerfields with his wife left me like wat

[@Lorne65]

Thanks Kai.

[@kaigrundmann9277]

Good Guys Productions you're welcome ^^

[@lisagerman2111]

In re to this film being 'funny' as viewed from German perspective - please expand on your meaning. Curious if 'funny' is meant as comedy, or as a unique perspective not seen prior?

[@wilhelmlll679]

Lisa German it means strange.

[@markus-pg6me]

Flower Power

[@rooftopcat1785]

Absolutely brilliant. The whole story is great.

[@wolverking2939]

Respect for all the soldiers!

[@Anthony-Sanders003]

AWESOME!!!😆 A WW1 short film based on a True Story about a British Sniper behind enemy lines!!😃

[@johncheetham4607]

Amazing production keep up the work. Hopefully you could take into consideration WW2 and the Oldham Tank regiment on your next please. My Grandad were deployed throughout.. You have done a belting job on this production. It's just a request please dont think I'm being arrogant. All I can give you on information he was a rekkie that operated behind enemy lines through out. He used tell me quite a few things.

[@nikolaysinitsyn9346]

I can see that this is a very well made short film, this is amazing

[@goodguysproductionsltd1134]

Thanks Nikolay for kind words

[@andrewroberts7428]

very brilliant, haunting film. an undeniable work of art.

[@francisjohnification]

Beautifully presented. Imaginative camera angles and subjects. Dialogue was both believable, natural and convincingly delivered. Many of the short films although of a high standard in most aspects, fall down on the acting and ‘wooden’ speech. Great work. Kind regards from UK.

[@C8Z51Scott]

Great video. There are not many WWI movies. Excellent work.

[@dazzawazza3578]

Not often you can immerse yourself in such a short amount of time! 10 out of 10 for me

[@michaellittlepage2766]

Yes, yes... Soldiers talk the talk and then hesitate for a split second, decisions the individual soldier makes innocently stop or create casualty, muscle memory of hobby consumes thoughts, and surplus soldier do walk off into the moonlight...

[@jeffbarnett4837]

Excellent short film

[@zebradun7407]

Outstanding.

[@warrenchambers4819]

Hello from the states, Great job with the short. Any chance you may do another? Be good to see more WW1 short films from you.

[@Lorne65]

Warren Chambers Thanks Warren, really appreciate your kind words. Im a jobbing filmmakaer by trade and although it would be fantastic to do another they don't create any money so the funding is always an issue fpr shorts like this, but I will post other stuff Ive done.

[@osopolar2022]

This is a very well-made short film. Thank you for sharing it with the world.

[@donharris9269]

This a great historical act I like it very much

[@dickpotter6108]

thanks enjoyed this.

[@SgtSledgehammer12]

Really nice, thank you.

[@Briselance]

Sniping enemy soldiers who aren't even holding a weapon at the moment, nor are immediately involved in combat operations. I understand why snipers had a bad reputation. And weren't often spared (as far as I heard of, at least).

[@paulbradford8240]

Very well done to you all!

[@dhss333]

Part pastiche of All Quiet Western Front : sketching birds/catching butterflies.

[@rauknrolf]

Great short film! Thanks!

[@njcr4restores]

Excellent film. Well done by all.

[@TooManyClowns98902]

Well done!!!

[@michaelgeraghty]

Great story telling. Well done

[@Lorne65]

+Michael Geraghty Thanks Michael

[@thevu9413]

To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first, and call whatever you hit the target

[@granola661]

I hope I can collect flowers in bf1

[@theflyingpig6361]

General Spärde it's not very historically accurate.

[@mux5703]

@@theflyingpig6361 the game or the short?

[@mattdillan2800]

Legends has it he is still hoping to collect flowers in bf1

[@Bigcuz60]

@@mattdillan2800 lol

[@morpheusbutasasquirtle4431]

Well with my KD im definitely pushing posies

[@silversniper9992]

Yesssss so good

[@bazbarovic9201]

Excellent and very well made short film.

[@alvindueck8227]

VERY well done. finally one I enjoyed.

[@goodguyszoom]

Alvin Dueck thanks Alvin, really nice to hear

[@benarakelian5059]

Very well written wow

[@paulwolf2775]

Great job on the film. A few problems with lack of kit with the soldiers and all, but it was very interesting.

[@jakobwesterlund4438]

*blasts enemy in the head* * sits back and opens his diary*

[@haroldshepherd3613]

I think he was thinking of the past battle

[@donwilsmore3945]

Jakob Westerlund ...in reality,like my Grandfather he was affected all his life for what he’d seen and done ....My Grandfather was a sniper during this tragic war ....May they all RIP on all sides !...when they had the Christmas truce of 1914 ...and were ordered back into their trenches ...I think that ,was one of the saddest events of the war ...if only it had stopped there ...😢

[@donwilsmore3945]

It could of been made for my Grandfather,...he was a sniper in WWI... the only difference is he survived, but his experiences left him affected ...for the rest of his life ,...he won the military Medal . Bob Cowell MM

[@Lorne65]

Glad you watched it Don. Interesting to see u have a grandfather who was a ww1 sniper. Richard Van Emdens has written some great books using previous recorded interviews with ww1 vets inc snipers

[@donwilsmore3945]

Good Guys Productions ...thank you ...I will try and get hold of a copy ....great film by the way !

[@user-fd5nj2kb3s]

Amazing film! I reckon this is good enough to be a full film, you could do something on his full experience

[@olliefuture]

Great, well done, enjoyed it

[@bellatornoble]

some dude : *casually peeing* a sniper : i'm gonna stop you right there

[@adamwaddoups7811]

Very very good

[@cliffcox7643]

That Vickers has no recoil at all!! Strange technology.

[@fribblenaut9773]

I still HIGHLY doubt that a man would wander out into no mans land just to pick a flower.

[@notjaquitoe6868]

1916 helmets with 1914 webbing Perfection

[@Lorne65]

Yes Mr Hirst plays Welles - smokes a good pipe

[@erosgonzalez532]

Good Guys Productions what’s the name of the song at the end

[@newsupermariobrosely7940]

@@erosgonzalez532 just search up I want to go back home

[@szlachta1alek]

good short film guys! well done :)

[@LoserBroProductions]

Great, absolutely brilliant.

[@cozmikcastaway]

Watching in 2020. Great short!!!

[@goodguysproductionsltd1134]

Thanks for support. Please share

[@Boss-ve8rl]

Nice to know that Hollywood has some serious competition

[@lostthedog]

Wow. Just brilliant!

[@arcticjungle4741]

the song at the end.....just wow.... rest easy

[@Joe-gu6oe]

Thank you.

[@russiannavy1108]

Just saw this great work!

[@lisagerman2111]

a very bittersweet capture in time for a few on the front...will have to re-watch, as audio was sketchy and thus more difficult to process. That said - excellent work, and would like a back-story in re to how the characters were chosen.

[@tuber7212]

brilliant, great film, enjoyed it

[@juanperez1340]

Wonderful short.

[@jesus6601]

Wow this was really touching best vid of its kind

[@Edwardnarby92]

Very good

[@mikeaylward9402]

Well done.

[@JackPev2003]

I would pay to go see this it's outstanding!

[@Lorne65]

Thanks Jack nice comment

[@mdh6977]

Great short!!!

[@philwadsworth6999]

Great movie well done.

[@gordonlamond1278]

great film

[@billyandrew]

A collector of botanical specimens and victims.

[@andrewhoward7200]

A beautiful horrible film. Said more in 15 minutes than most do in a series. I'm too moved when I think of the indiscriminate scything of a generation of artists, poets etc. This film captured that.

[@Lorne65]

v nice comments thank you

[@billyandrew]

One glaring inconsistency... He has a working class accent. Unlikely he'd be married to a middle class, educated woman, back then or have a property, such as the house, with a large garden. I'm not saying it's impossible, however... That aside, an poignant film, well acted and credit to everyone involved. Incidently, I noticed the _"We'll not be mastered by no Jerry bas..."_ was omitted from the wartime refrain we heard at the close. Lol.

[@warfarestuidos8477]

Went out in the open just for a damn flower Omg

[@Scorpmann1969]

Very well done.

[@fredericaugier5068]

Beau et triste à la fois , Merci.

[@Lorne65]

Merci

[@2tudu244]

Good movie and best to you

[@ethanlaffitte6050]

Best film ever

[@user-fl7ie5is4m]

immer auf Kinder schießen, aber so war das damals. Ein schöner Film. ich hoffe das ihr auch mal einen Kurzfilm über den Weihnachtsfrieden 1914/16 macht. I hope you are make a movie about the christmas truce 1914/16

[@erhenry20011]

Great take, but I don't think anyone didn't see the end coming. Read a Rifleman went to War sometime. The average WWI movie send the same msg. His book says "yeah, there was a lot of misery and death, but there was some really cool stuff, too".

[@Lorne65]

Thanks Eric I will check out A Rifleman Went to War

[@johngardner2682]

WELL DONE@!!!