John Kramer Movies
John Kramer joined the National Film Board of Canada in 1973 as a director, screenwriter, editor and producer. He has worked on more than 90 films, particularly Volcano: An Inquiry into the Life and Death of Malcolm Lowry (1976) which he co-directed with Donald Brittain and which was nominated for an Oscar in 1976. In 1985, he left the Film Board to form his own company, Jupiter Films. In 1995, he co-scripted The Champagne Safari and wrote other works such as The Relationship, Summer in the Cherry Orchard and The Tenure of Dr. Fabrikant. In 1998, he realized The Man Who Might Have Been from his own script for the National Film Board of Canada ~ Gönül Dönmez-Colin, All Movie Guide- 1999
- PG
A young boy named Ray (Miko Hughes) and his grandfather (James Karen) have one important thing in common -- they both love airplanes, and Gramps often joins Ray as he flies his model planes in the park. But Ray's parents think that Gramps has grown too old to care for himself -- and that it's time to put him in a nursing home. But Gramps doesn't want to go; Ray isn't sure if he can do anything to stop them, but he does think that he might be able to arrange for the one-time pilot to take an old prop plane back into the air one last time. Also released as Fly Boy, One Last Flight features Kathleen Lloyd, Gregory Itzin, and Joshua Boyd in supporting roles. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Canadian filmmaker Christine Richey directs this documentary about the shadowy netherworld of sadomasochism. The film opens with a historical overview ranging from profiles of such notorious figures as Marquis de Sade, Leopold von Sacher-Masoch and Richard von Kraftt-Ebing. Insights include details of the summation of Hitler's bizarre kinks and discussions of S&M's place in the commodity-capitalistic culture of the mid-to-late 20th century. Also featured are a run down on the tools of the trade along with interviews of hardcore devotees, including Toronto native Robert Dante who bitterly complains about his last slave. Tops & Bottoms was screened at the 1999 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dawn Greenhalgh
- 1998
The Man Who Might Have Been is a documentary about an enigmatic Canadian who found himself at the center of a witch-hunt during the worse days of the Cold War. Herbert Norman was serving as a Canadian ambassador to Egypt when he leapt to his death from a Cairo rooftop. Born in 1909 in Japan -- the son of Canadian missionaries -- his books on Japanese society became required reading for the post-war Occupation Government as well as the new generation of Japanese leaders. He was stationed in Egypt during the Suez crisis, when Canadian diplomacy took center stage. Despite his great achievements, for seven years he had to endure the accusations of being a Soviet spy. Director John Kramer reconstructs the days of the Cold War when accusations of any link with communists would destroy a man's career and lets the audience decide about the true nature of Herbert Norman's activities. ~ Gönül Dönmez-Colin, All Movie Guide
The Champagne Safari was a foolhardy 1,200 mile expedition across Northern Canada backed by millionaire entrepreneur Charles Bedaux. To make the 1934 journey Bedaux brought along five Citroen half-track tanks, 130 pack horses, kegs of champagne and tons of gourmet French cuisine. He also brought along an entire library of books, a crew and Oscar winning cameraman Floyd Crosby. The expedition was a bust and the resulting film footage was lost until 1984 when Canadian filmmaker George Ungar found it in a Paris basement and used it in this fascinating biography of the enigmatic, megalomaniacal American industrialist, entrepreneur and WW II-era traitor Charles Bedaux, a man who had a tremendous effect on the rise of the Nazis to power. The film took over 16 years to make and is narrated by actor Colm Feore. In addition to Crosby's fascinating footage, the story is told via reenactments, archival photos and interviews with historians, writers, and relatives. The Champagne Safari was but one incident in Bedaux's life. He earned his fortune by using scientific methodology to create the "Bedaux System" of worker management. Other American corporations liked the methods and he became wealthy. Bedaux soon became known for his exotic expeditions. But there was a dark side to Bedaux, and his close ties to the Nazi party are also explored in the film. It was this shadowy relationship that ultimately caused the downfall and suicide of Bedaux who died just before he was to stand trial for treason in the US. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Colm Feore
