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The Tony Williams Collection

Curated by NZ On Screen team 22 items
This collection showcases the career of NZ screen industry pioneer Tony Williams, director of many of our iconic TVCs (Crunchie, Bugger, Spot, Dear John).
22 items
The Collection /
The Tony Williams Collection
The Tony Williams Collection
Curated by NZ On Screen team

His Brilliant Career - bugger me!

This collection is a celebration of the eccentric, exuberant career of NZ screen industry frontrunner Tony Williams. As well as being at the helm of many iconic ads (Crunchie, Bugger, Spot, Dear John) Williams made inventive, award-winning indie TV documentaries, and shot or directed pioneering feature films, including Solo and cult horror Next of Kin. Michael Heath shares memories of collaborating with Williams, and Lindsay Shelton chronicles his innovative career here. Plus, an interview with Williams himself. 

Profiles

Profile picture of Tony Williams
Tony Williams
Director

Collection Gallery

Tony-Williams-Gallery-5.jpg
Australian cinematographer Gary Hansen (left) & director Tony Williams on the set of the Dear John advert. Hansen worked on a number of NZ projects, and shot William's 1982 feature Next of Kin.
Kindly supplied by Tony Williams
Tony-Williams-Gallery-9.jpg
Art director Ashley Turner (L) and director Tony Williams in Hollywood, on set at Capitol Records for an Air NZ advertisement.
Kindly supplied by Tony Williams.
Tony-Williams-Gallery-8.jpg

Tony Williams and crew on the set of the Hyundai Santa Fe advertisement. Tony holds the star of the advertisement.

Kindly supplied by Tony Williams.

Tony-Williams-Gallery-6.jpg

Tony Williams on set of the Crunchie Great Train Robbery advertisement, circa 1975.

Kindly supplied by Tony Williams.

Tony-Williams-Gallery-1.jpg
Director Tony Williams and film crew, on the set of the Dear John advertisement.
Kindly supplied by Tony Williams
Tony-Williams-Gallery-2.jpg
Director Tony Williams and American-born, Australian actor Gus Mercurio, on the set of the Dear John advertisement.
Kindly supplied by Tony Williams
Tony-Williams-Gallery-3.jpg

(L-R) director Tony Williams, actress Jackie Kerin and DoP Gary Hanson on the set of Next of Kin.

Kindly supplied by Tony Williams.

Tony-Williams-Gallery-4.jpg
DOP Gary Hanson (on floor) and Tony Williams, on the set of Next of Kin, 1981.  
Kindly supplied by Tony Williams.
Tony-Williams-Gallery-7.jpg

Tony Williams on the set of the Crunchie Great Train Robbery advertisement, circa 1975.

Kindly supplied by Tony Wiliiams

Michael-Heath-Gallery-2.jpg
Michael Heath (R) with Werner Herzog.
Kindly supplied by Michael Heath
Tony-Williams-Gallery-12.jpg
Tony Williams on location with actress Lisa Peers for the feature film Solo.
Sal Criscillo photograph for Tony Williams Productions. Kindly supplied by Tony Williams.
Tony-Williams-Gallery-11.jpg
Writer/Director Tony Williams and cinematographer John Blick.
Kindly supplied by the Dominon Post.
Tony-Williams-Gallery-14.jpg
John O'Shea directs a scene from his 1964 feature Runaway on the Franz Josef Glacier. At left are Deirdre McCarron and O'Shea, while Tony Williams lies holding the camera on the right. In the background (left to right) are sound recordist Ron Skelley, camera assistant Michael Seresin, and actor Barry Crump.
Pacific Films Collection, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Tony-Williams-Gallery-13.jpg
Focus puller Michael Seresin (left) and director of photography Tony Williams prepare to film an unidentified woman on the set of movie Don't Let It Get You.
Pacific Films Collection, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

More info and links

Filmmaker Michael Heath reflects on his collaborations with Williams and NZ film champion Lindsay Shelton looks over his career. Read >

Williams discusses his formative time at Pacific Films in clips two and three of this John O’Shea tribute. Watch >

Biography on "arguably the finest" documentary-essayist in the history of New Zealand filmmaking. (Lawrence McDonald). Read >

Williams tells the colourful behind the scenes stories of his many films and ads, including convincing the suits to do Bugger. Watch >

In part two of this Kiwi 70s film renaissance doco, Williams discusses his Pacific Films apprenticeship and making Solo. Watch >

A 2006 print interview in which Williams traverses 40 years of making commercials and gives his recipe for making great ads. Read >

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Tony Williams, Michael Heath, Lindsay Shelton, Craig Walters, the Film Archive, and the many rights holders and custodians who have made this collection possible.