The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Jason utilised his ‘Bond’ with Sir Sean for movie
Screen legend was impressed by son’s direction in eagerlyawaited film which premieres tomorrow
The director of the eagerly-awaited movie Tommy’s Honour which was shot in Fife has revealed how his Hollywood legend father Sir Sean Connery was “very complimentary” about the film when he saw it at a special screening in the Bahamas.
In an exclusive interview with The Courier ahead of the film’s UK premiere in St Andrews tomorrow, actor turned movie director Jason Connery said he talked to his father about the script and valued his input from the perspective of an actor.
Based on an acclaimed book, the film – which goes on general release across the UK on July 7 – revolves around the complex relationship between pioneering father and son golf champions ‘Old’ Tom Morris (played by Peter Mullan) and ‘Young’ Tommy Morris (played by Jack Lowden) who between them won eight Open Championships in the 19th Century.
“One of the great compliments I got from my dad is that as soon as the film started he felt like he was in the time and the place that the movie was set,” said Jason, 54, who cut his professional teeth at Perth Rep, made his acting debut in 1983’s “The Lords of Discipline” and played Robin Hood in the final 1986 season of the British series “Robin of Sherwood”.
“The thing my dad is great to talk to about is perspective from a character’s point of view, because that’s how he looks at film because he’s an actor.”
All of the action in Tommy’s Honour was shot in Scotland including the St Andrews area, where the real-life golfing pioneer Tom Morris was a greenkeeper.
Its ensemble cast also includes Jurassic Park star Sam Neill as Alexander Boothby.
Sir Sean and wife Micheline joined Jason, whose mother is the late Diane Cilento, at the screening in Nassau in January.
Jason Connery, several of the cast and some of the producers are expected to attend the screening, which has been organised by the Old Course Hotel.
In Saturday’s Courier Weekend magazine, Michael Alexander speaks to producer Jim Kreutzer about the making of the film.