We’re going to celebrate the work of Tony Scott today. Most people know him for his feature film work, but the director also made some short films that hardly anyone has seen. And hey, one even starred James Brown AND Gary Oldman. Isn’t that a crazy combination?

First up is his 1969 short film One of the Missing. It’s about a Southern soldier during the Civil War that is scouting enemy positions and becomes trapped in a pile of rubble after an attack. He’s stuck there, just waiting as his own gun is pointed at him. Scott filmed this one while in film school. And it was his first directorial venture.

http://youtu.be/s0cAi8LKXnM

In 2002 he returned to short films with Beat the Devil, which was a part of a series of shorts for BMW. Yes, the car company. This one stats – get ready for it – Danny Trejo, Marilyn Manson, James Brown, Clive Owen and Gary Oldman. Owen is a driver that’s hired by Brown to take him to meet the Devil (Oldman) to barter for his soul, which was taken from him decades ago. Fun times!

In 2004, Scott made a “silent film for the 21st century” in Agent Orange. It’s about two possible soul mates who try to find each other after a chance encounter. Scott used a hand-cranked camera so he could manipulate the motion and tiles, according to Movies.com

Finally, this video is Scott talking about his career. He sure did have a thing for the style of hat he’s wearing, huh?

[via Movies.com]

short films, tony scott