Nick’s first movie role was in 1988, in Ghosts... of the Civil Dead, an intense and confronting prison film made by long-time Cave associate John Hillcoat. It was Hillcoat’s first feature as well. Nick played the role of an absolutely psychotic murderer named Maynard, and he basically stole the show by amping up his early onstage persona to the nth degree.
The central character was played by another now-familiar face. David Field, who made his feature debut in Ghosts…, played the character Wenzil. These days David is known as the face of Oak Chocolate Milk’s really annoying ‘Hungry Thirsty’ campaign.
Ghosts... of the Civil Dead was a big deal in alternative music circles back in the day and has enjoyed a cult following since release, no doubt due to Nick’s presence. We’re not sure if Oak’s use of David Field in their chocolate milk campaign has done much to help...
You can see Nick and David in the following trailer, and you can find out more about the film at its official website here.
And yes, the Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds new compilation Lovely Creatures: The Best Of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (1984-2014) is out now. Find out more here.
- DL
