Most underrated actor in England finally honoured

[fpb]

Christopher Lee is going to be knighted.

About bloody time.

Comments

ABSOLUTELY

[sanscouronne.livejournal.com]

Christopher Lee is exceedingly underrated. The man is brilliant. I found out recently that he was the voice of King Haggard in my favorite childhood animated film, The Last Unicorn.

Re: ABSOLUTELY

[fpb.livejournal.com]

Same here. His voice production is absolutely magical; I found that out when I heard him read, on the BBC, some MR James horror stories I already knew and liked - and make them wholly new, merely by the way he read them.

Re: ABSOLUTELY

[fpb.livejournal.com]

And to look at it another way - can you think of another actor, however elderly and distinguished, who could have been a formidable enough opponent for Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf?

Re: ABSOLUTELY

[sanscouronne.livejournal.com]

I was just about to mention that. :) From what I saw of the behind-the-scenes footage on the extended versions of the films, both fine actors did extensive research in preparation for their roles. They had a lot of respect for J.R.R. Tolkien, and it certainly shows.

Re: ABSOLUTELY

[fpb.livejournal.com]

A powerful enough foil to the lead is a necessity for any movie. To mention a wholly different classic, the one flaw in the otherwise perfect Hollywood classic, Casablanca, is that Paul Henreid is not powerful enough to create a character who can be a suitable rival for Humphrey Bogart, deserve the devotion of Ingrid Bergman, and be feared by the Nazis as a natural leader. A decent, honourable person, yes; but they should have cast someone like Spencer Tracy. On the other hand, to have Lee facing McKellen in LOTR is exactly right.

Re: ABSOLUTELY

[sanscouronne.livejournal.com]

It has been so long since I have seen Casablanca that I am afraid I cannot appreciate the comparison.

I shall take it as a reminder to see it again, when I have the opportunity. :) Besides, it is my father's favorite movie.

Question, somewhat related. Who are your favorite actors/actresses? Alive, that is.

Re: ABSOLUTELY

[fpb.livejournal.com]

Alive? Charlotte Rampling... although she is aged, she has aged well, and still has more beauty and presence than twenty of her colleagues. Lee, of course. McKellen, though as a human being I cannot stand him. Kenneth Branagh, although he is very much hit and miss. His Hamlet is typical of the man: full of brilliant moments, but goes completely insane at the end. Stephen Fry; unlike McKellen, he is brilliant as an actor, but also admirable as a human being. Robin Williams - I once watched him extemporize on a British TV interview show, and he was unbelievable - not just scene-stealing, scene grand larceny. Audrey Tatou - just to show that France still produces women with more charm and class than anywhere else. Can't think of anyone else just now.

[affablestranger.livejournal.com]

The man's an icon. Yes. His knighthood is overdue.

[mentalguy.livejournal.com]

Amen. I'm really pleased to hear this.