Ken Loach on John Bindon
Ten Men, an evocative, beautifully crafted memory play by Franklyn McCabe, takes the audience through key episodes of John Bindon’s life spanning the 1960s-1990s, including his big acting break following a meeting in a Chelsea pub with up-and-coming young director, Ken Loach.
Starring alongside established actors Carol White and Terrence Stamp, Bindon’s real-life charm combined with ‘tough guy’ persona in Loach’s 1967 ‘kitchen sink’ film debut Poor Cow, produced a memorable and accurate portrayal of abusive, bullying husband and criminal, Tom.
On the eve of Ten Men’s Edinburgh debut, the twice Palme d’Or award-winning Director, Ken Loach recalls his memories of Bindon to Ten Men’s ‘John’, actor and Edinburgh newcomer, Matthew Platt.
Bindon’s status and notoriety led to many rumours and myths surrounding his life. Some 55 years after Poor Cow’s initial release, Loach’s first hand recollections immediately set the record straight on this now legendary meeting. Referenced in Ten Men and frequently described as a ‘chance encounter’ in a Chelsea pub, Loach is quick to reflect that the introduction was in fact very much planned after a recommendation from author, playwright and friend of Loach’s, Nell Dunn (Up the Junction, Talking to Women, Steaming, The Muse).
Working closely alongside Dunn throughout the making of Poor Cow, Loach took advice on casting, and the unknown and untried Bindon was effectively auditioned through a few informal scenes and improvisations. With Loach renowned for his use of novice actors with authentic, credible life experience, Bindon’s gritty South London background, reputation and affinity with the local community, people and places, likely stood him in good stead.
“It was a question of finding people who would really break the stereotypical representations of TV/Film robbers. I wanted to go with someone that really knew what he was talking about. Nell happened to mention that she knew of someone called John Bindon.
We arranged to meet and John was very pleasant, very civil but with a strong presence, as he comes across in the film.“
Dunn’s precise script-writing and characterisation was always at the heart of the film making, with Loach’s direction and individual performances always respectful towards the scriptwriter’s original intentions. Despite Bindon’s theatrical inexperience, he was a natural fit for the part of Tom, a role that would see him working alongside Carol White as wife Joy, and Terrence Stamp as friend, Dave.
“People have misconceptions about acting in films. Film acting is really about making an imaginary scene real.
You can soon tell if someone’s got that ability or not. John had it in spades. He was brilliant from day one, absolutely credible.”
Professional and affable, Loach recalls an intelligent, astute and funny man, who brought laughter to the production and with whom he enjoyed a good working relationship built on mutual respect. Bindon’s backstory and dalliances with criminality were never discussed on, or off set, but during the course of filming, it no doubt became clear that he had amassed plenty of ‘alternative’ experiences to draw upon, growing up in the Battersea streets around his childhood home in Hugon Road, followed by stints in borstal and then prison.
Maintaining integrity around Dunn’s script was imperative to Loach, but always with room for the actors to bring their personality and creativity into play. An instinctive process, actors are guided into delivering a performance that is both authentic to the individual and true to the script-writing. Throughout Poor Cow, the ease in which Bindon seemingly steps into Tom’s shoes, highlights the rewards this intuitive and spontaneous approach can bring to a production.
Even today, Bindon’s charisma, street smart edge and naturalistic performance as Tom is impressive, and he more than held his own in his film debut. Loach’s director’s instinct in casting this unknown in his break-out role, served as a springboard for subsequent parts in iconic British films of the era, Performance, Get Carter and Quadrophenia.
Poor Cow was released in December 1967, based on the novel by Nell Dunn with screenplay by Dunn and Loach. Directed by Ken Loach, cinematography by Brian Probyn and soundtrack by Donovan, it went on to perform well at the box office and was nominated for a Golden Globe the following year. Loach’s next film project was in the north of England, shooting the multi award-winning, classic, Kes (1969).
With its vibrant, powerful script and colourful depiction of the realities of working-class life in and around Battersea, London, Poor Cow remains a vivid study of the 1960’s London slums and the resilient communities that inhabited them.
With Thanks
Our sincere thanks to Ken Loach for generously sparing the time to share his recollections of Poor Cow and John Bindon. Telephone interview conducted 9th August 2022.
Pictured John Bindon & Carol White in a scene from Poor Cow, 1967.
About ‘Ten Men, The Lives of John Bindon’
From his criminality and association with the Krays on the streets of 1960’s London, film career and circle of society & celebrity friends (Jagger, Bowie, Caine, Zeppelin, Kubrick, Keeler), to his alleged affair with Princess Margaret. McCabe manages to capture the tumultuous life and times of this intriguing, multi-faceted man in a way that is both poignant, engaging and laden with Bindon’s quick-witted one-liners. Brought to life by a soundtrack studded with classics from each era, this production of Ten Men was performed at South London Theatre in spring 2019.
The play is dedicated to John ‘Biffo’ Bindon 1943-1993.