Tom The Bottleman

Tom the Bottleman
Tom the Bottleman
	Film poster
A film by	Jake Jakubowski
Starring	Thomas Morrison; Madeline Morrison;
Studio	DMJ Productions
Release date	April 6, 2025 (YouTube);
Running time	22 Minutes
Country	United States
Language	American English

Tom the Bottleman is a DMJ Productions documentary directed by Jake Jakubowski that was released April 6, 2025. In Tom the Bottleman, filmmaker Jake Jakubowski tells the inspiring story of Thomas Morrison, a resilient Brunswick, Maine resident who has spent over a decade collecting bottles and cans as a way to stay connected to his community, and how the town’s heartfelt support highlights the profound impact of small acts of kindness.

Plot

In Brunswick, Maine, Thomas Morrison, known as Tom the Bottleman, has spent over a decade walking the streets, collecting returnable bottles and cans, not just for survival, but to stay connected with his community. His journey reflects resilience, independence, and the power of human connection. When his essential cart was stolen in December 2024, the town rallied together, proving that even small acts of kindness can make a profound impact. Tom the Bottleman, a documentary by filmmaker jake Jakubowski, captures Tom’s perseverance, struggles, and the heartfelt generosity that defines small-town America.

Fim quotes

Opening scene

"Meet Thomas Morrison, affectionately known as "Tom the Bottleman" in Brunswick, Maine. For over a decade, Tom has been a familiar figure, walking miles daily to collect returnable bottles and cans, embodying dedication and community spirit. Despite personal health challenges, including a heart condition that required a pacemaker, Tom's commitment never wavered. When his essential bottle cart was stolen in late December 2024, the Brunswick community rallied, raising funds to provide him with a new, improved cart. This heartwarming story showcases the profound bond between a man and his town, highlighting resilience, generosity, and the impact of collective goodwill."

Introducing Tom

"In the quiet streets of Brunswick, Maine, before the town fully wakes, one man has already begun his daily journey. A familiar figure to many, he moves steadily, his cart in tow, filled with bottles and cans—collected one by one. His name is Thomas Morrison, but to the people of Brunswick, he is known simply as Tom the Bottle Man."

"For more than a decade, Tom has walked the sidewalks, parking lots, and back roads of Brunswick, gathering returnable bottles and cans. With each step, he carries more than just his cart—he carries a lifetime of memories, struggles, and unwavering determination."

"Tom has never been a man of excess. His work is simple, but vital—to him, to his daily survival, and to the rhythm of the town itself. He is a quiet fixture, a steady presence, moving with purpose from sunrise to sunset. And though he may walk alone, he is never truly alone."

Tom’s Daily Routine & Challenges

"Tom’s day begins like clockwork. His routine is a well-worn path—parking lots behind grocery stores, sidewalks outside local businesses, neighborhoods where familiar faces offer a kind word or a spare can. He collects, he organizes, and when his cart is full, he makes his way to the redemption center, where his efforts become dollars—small earnings, but enough to keep him going."

"Behind his steady pace lies a quiet struggle. Tom faces the harshness of Maine’s winters, the exhaustion of long summer days, and the burden of a heart condition that once threatened to slow him down for good. When doctors placed a pacemaker in his chest, they warned him to take it easy. But Tom had no plans to stop."

The Cart Theft and Community Response

"In the winter of 2024, something happened that shook Tom’s routine to its core. His cart—his most essential tool—was stolen. A devastating loss for a man who depends on it to make his living."

"For many, it was just a cart. But for Tom, it was everything. It was his independence. His livelihood. His constant companion on the roads of Brunswick."

"And then, something remarkable happened. The town took notice. News of Tom’s loss spread quickly, and within days, Brunswick responded—not with pity, but with action."

"Donations poured in. Small contributions from strangers, neighbors, business owners—people who had seen Tom’s quiet perseverance and felt compelled to give back. A fundraiser was launched, and in no time, enough money was raised for a new cart—sturdier, more reliable, built to last."

"And when the day came to present Tom with his new cart, there were no grand speeches, no cameras flashing—just gratitude. A simple act of kindness, given to a man who had never asked for anything."

Impact on the Community

"Tom never set out to be a symbol of resilience, but that’s what he became. He never sought attention, but attention found him. In his quiet way, he had shown a town the meaning of persistence, of humility, of the strength that comes from never giving up."

"To many, Tom is more than just a man collecting bottles. He is a reminder that every person has value. That no job is too small. That dignity is not measured in wealth, but in the way we live, the way we endure, the way we keep moving forward—no matter the weight of the cart we push."

Production

Directed by Jake Jakubowski under the production company DMJ Productions, this video production was a low budget film recorded with a DJI Pocket II camcorder and the Rode Wireless Go II Wireless Microphone system. The film was edited on a Macbook Pro using Adobe Premiere video editing software.

Screenshots

Watch the trailer

Watch the documentary

Citation

Jake Jakubowski (Director) (2025). Tom the Bottleman (Documentary). Maine: DMJ Productions.

Articles

WGME Staff (April 14, 2025). "Documentary tells the story of 'Tom the Bottleman' from Brunswick". WGME-TV. Portland, Maine: Sinclair Broadcast Group.

DMJ Productions

DMJ Productions
Films Directed by Jake Jakubowski
Documentaries		Tom The Bottleman ^[1] Release date: May 26, 2025 People: Thomas Morrison Places: Brunswick, Maine
		Red Flags: The Making of the Music Video ^[2] Release date: July 12, 2024 People: ALI H:ART Places: Portland, Maine • Bath, Maine • Dresden, Maine
		The Mayor: A Chronicle of Williams Syndrome, with Josh Duffy ^[3] Release date: January 5, 2022 People: Josh Duffy • Jake Jakubowski Places: Brunswick, Maine • Frank J. Wood Bridge • Bolos
Future Productions (Working titles)	Production	50 Years of Underwater Photography, with Bill Curtsinger and Brian Skerry