Ten Bob in Winter

An early classic of Black British cinema about the intriguing social dynamics that arise as a ten shilling note is passed around the black community.

An early classic of Black British cinema about the intriguing social dynamics that arise as a ten shilling note is passed around the black community. A student borrows ten bob from a white man and then in turn lends it to a natty musician. Later, when the student meets an upstanding member of the community he ignores the musician who is trying to return the note.

With its witty theorem that the influence of the British class system extends well beyond indigenous citizens, and its authentic focus on issues of black culture, Ten Bob in Winter is one of the most notable shorts to come out of the BFI Experimental Film Fund. Fresh and experimental yet still light and accessible, the film eschews dialogue for a jazz-rap style narration (by Reckford himself) reminiscent of Langston Hughes, while a sparky jazz soundtrack is provided by the Joe Harriott Quintet.