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Bloomfield (film)
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Wikipedia article
'Bloomfield' (released in the United States as 'The Hero') is a 1971 British-Israeli drama film directed by Richard Harris and Uri Zohar. It was entered into the 21st Berlin International Film Festival.
The soundtrack of the film composed and produced by Johnny Harris includes a short version of "The Loner", a song co-written by Maurice Gibb and Lulu's brother Billy Lawrie. Johnny Harris was MD for Lulu at the time this song was composed and recorded in 1969. It was released on a Pye Records single in 1972 performed by The Bloomfields when the film was finally released in Great Britain. The soundtrack also includes 3 tracks by Heads Hands & Feet.
Production
The film was originally called 'Knights of Bloomfield' and was to be directed by Uri Zohar. At one point the film was going to be shot in Italy and was known as 'Viva Higgins'.MISCELLANY: Hush-hush demo The Guardian 23 August 1969: 9. Harris called the story "very autobiographical. It's a story about freedom and man's success and moments of failure."Film: Harris's 'interpretive art': Only the Irish... History-shaker Fled 'Red Desert' By Louise Sweeney. The Christian Science Monitor 26 August 1970: 6. The film was financed by the Investor's Overseas Service, a mutual fund run by Bernie Cornfeld. It was their first investment in moviemaking although Cornfeld had invested in the short lived Commonwealth United Company.Sherwood Wrote Big Finish for F.D.R. Los Angeles Times 19 March 1970: g20.
Filming started in October 1969 in Israel, in Tel Aviv and Jaffa. Two weeks into filming director Uri Zohar left the production. After a week Harris took over as director.HARRIS MAKES HIS DIRECTING DEBUT The Irish Times 10 November 1969: 16. Since Harris was not a member of a technical union a crew union ordered its members to stop working but they continued anyway.Union Blacklists Movie Directed by Richard Harris Los Angeles Times 15 December 1969: g27. "No other director would take over without months of preparation," claimed Harris.Richard Harris in Harness for Directing Job Blume, Mary. Los Angeles Times 23 August 1970: q16.
Harris was meant to be in Israel for five weeks and ended up staying five months, causing him to miss out on playing the title role in the film 'Scrooge' (Albert Finney took the role).Having a Scrooge loose Walker, John. The Guardian 12 December 1970: 7. After he made the film Harris said he felt like putting an ad in 'Variety' apologizing to all the directors he had worked with.Versatile Richard Harris Isn't One of the Tin Gods Pearce, Sterling. Chicago Tribune 13 December 1970: g6. Cinematographer Otto Heller died two weeks after filming.Actor Harris' 'Bloomfield' Brass, Sally K. Los Angeles Times 9 July 1971: g14.
Location shooting took place around Tel Aviv, particularly at the Bloomfield Stadium. Interiors were shot at Twickenham Studios in London. The film's sets were designed by the art director Richard Macdonald.
Plot
A footballer in Israel is offered a bribe to lose a match. But when he meets a child who is a fan of his, the footballer decides to win the game.
Cast
* Richard Harris as Eitan
* Romy Schneider as Nira
* Kim Burfield as Nimrod
* Maurice Kaufmann as Yasha
* Yossi Yadin as Weiner
* Shraga Friedman as Chairman
* Aviva Marks as Teddy
* Yossi Graber as Bank manager
* David Heyman as Eldad
Reception
The film had its world premiere in Harris' home town of Limerick. Screened at the 1971 Berlin Film Festival, Rex Reed who was a judge called it "an appalling piece of self indulgent garbage."Berlin Festival Ends with Laugh--and Argument Reed, Rex. Chicago Tribune 18 July 1971: e2.
The film was not released in the US until 1972 where it was screened under the title 'The Hero'.
References
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