The Image (1969 film)

The Image is a 1969 British black and white short film directed and written by Michael Armstrong, starring Michael Byrne and David Bowie in his first film role.^[1] It was produced by Oliver Negus-Fancey.

The Image
Frame from the film
Directed by	Michael Armstrong
Written by	Michael Armstrong
Produced by	Olive Negus-Fancey
Starring	David Bowie Michael Byrne
Cinematography	Ousama Rawi
Edited by	Julian Hindson
Music by	Noel Janus
Distributed by	Border Film Productions
Release date	28 January 1969 (1969-01-28)
Running time	14 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

The summary on the cover of the film's script reads: "a study of the illusionary reality world within the schizophrenic mind of the artist at his point of creativity".^[2]

The film was classified 'X' by the British Board of Film Classification.^[3]

Plot

A troubled artist is finishing his portrait of a young man, who suddenly appears outside the window and enters the house. The artist tries to kill the young man, first by strangling and then by stabbing, but each time he comes back to life. In despair, the artist falls onto his painting.

Cast

• David Bowie as the boy
• Michael Byrne as the artist