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David Bradley, (aged 14) playing the part of Billy Casper, pictured with his Kestral
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David Bradley, (aged 14) playing the part of Billy Casper, pictured with his Kestral
David Bradley, (aged 14) playing the part of Billy Casper, pictured with his Kestral, on the film set of the film Kes. Here Billy Casper is playing the goalkeeper in the school football match scene.
Kes is a 1969 release drama film directed by Ken Loach and produced by Tony Garnett. The film is based on the 1968 novel A Kestrel for a Knave, written by the Barnsley-born author Barry Hines. The film is ranked seventh in the British Film Institutes Top Ten (British) Films and among the top ten in its list of the 50 films you should see by the age of 14.
The film was shot on location around Barnsley, Yorkshire, including St. Helens School, Athersley South, later renamed Edward Sheerien School (demolished in 2011); and in and around the streets of Hoyland and Hoyland Common.
Fifteen-year-old Billy Casper has little hope in life. He is picked on, both at home by his physically and verbally abusive older half-brother, Jud, and at school, by his schoolmates and by abusive teachers.
One day, Billy takes a kestrel from a nest on a farm. His interest in learning falconry prompts him to steal a book on the subject from a secondhand book shop. As the relationship between Billy and " Kes", the kestrel, improves during the training, so does Billys outlook and horizons. For the first time in the film, Billy receives praise, from his English teacher after delivering an impromptu talk about training Kes.
Jud leaves money and instructions for Billy to place a bet on two horses, but, after consulting a bettor who tells him the horses are unlikely to win, Billy spends the money on fish and chips and intends to purchase meat for his bird (instead the butcher gives him scrap meat free of charge). However, the horses do win. Outraged at losing a payout of more than 10, Jud takes revenge by killing Billys kestrel. Grief-stricken, Billy retrieves the birds broken body from the waste bin and, after showing it to Jud and his mother, buries the bird on the hillside overlooking the field where he d flown.
Picture taken 15th July 1968
Sheppard
Daily Mirror
Mirrorpix
Barnsley
South Yorkshire
England
Y6868 - 1
Media ID 21808043
© Mirrorpix
A Kestrel For A Knave Ball Barnsley Child Actor Child Star David Bradley Drama Filming Film Set Football Pitch Fourteen Goal Mouth Goal Post Goal Posts Learning Post School Sports Field Sports Field Teenager Yorkshire 1968
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a young David Bradley, aged 14, in his breakthrough role as Billy Casper on the film set of "Kes". In this particular scene, Billy is seen playing goalkeeper during a school football match. The image showcases the raw talent and dedication that Bradley brought to his portrayal of the troubled protagonist. "Kes" directed by Ken Loach and produced by Tony Garnett, is a powerful drama released in 1969. Based on Barry Hines' novel "A Kestrel for a Knave" the film tells the story of fifteen-year-old Billy Casper's challenging life. Bullied at home and at school, Billy finds solace when he takes an interest in falconry after stealing a kestrel from a farm. As Billy's bond with Kes grows stronger through training sessions, so does his perspective on life. For once, he receives praise from his English teacher after delivering an impromptu talk about training Kes. However, tragedy strikes when Jud kills Billy's beloved kestrel out of spite for losing money on horse bets. The photo was taken on July 15th, 1968 by Sheppard from Memory Lane Prints. It beautifully encapsulates both the innocence and resilience portrayed by David Bradley as he embodies the character of Billy Casper amidst Yorkshire's picturesque landscapes. "Kes" remains an influential film today and holds its place among British Film Institute's Top Ten Films as well as their list of essential films to watch before turning fourteen.
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