First call for the world’s most influential filmmakers and directors, Murray Close was invited to shoot the cast and crew of ‘Withnail & I’ during filming in 1986. The film opened to a small but devoted audience in 1987 and over 35 years on has remained a cult classic. The resulting images of his time on set are an intimate and revealing collection.

“I always felt that ‘Withnail & I’ encapsulated a deep friendship that revealed the frailties of the human condition but maybe it was about two unemployed actors floating around in the excesses and uncertainties of 1970. Either way I hope my images are true to Bruce’s extraordinary vision and represent the wonderful characters our troupe created with love.”

Internationally renowned photographer, Murray Close has forged his career capturing crucial stills of the world of cinema.  Born in Canada and educated in the UK, it was whilst studying music that an introduction to Stanley Kubrick lead him to a three year assignment on ‘The Shining.’  This master class would influence his work from that point on, helping forge strong links with the film industry and early ties with Warner bros. with whom he continues to work with to this day.  

Collaborations with Clint Eastwood and Steven Spielberg opened the doors for relocation to Los Angeles in 1989 where he resided until an invitation from Alfonso Cuarón in London to contribute to ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ for Warner Bros. and subsequently ‘Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire’ & ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.’

It was during this time that black and white negatives in a laboratory faced with closure of the cult British classic, ‘Withnail & I’ were found which lead to representation by Proud Galleries and exhibitions at the BFI and at Proud Chelsea on the Kings Road, London.  

Close’s new association with Jennifer Lawrence meant a move back to the US in 2011 for the entire ‘Hunger Games’ Franchise and he has since continued to work with its Director, Francis Lawrence on ‘Red Sparrow’ and most recently ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ in 2022.