I just saw the news via Twitter and I feel sad. Another great talent who will be much missed. The remake of Miracle On 34th Street has long been a holiday staple in my house and he WAS father Christmas! And I still remember the pure magic of seeing the first Jurrassic Park in the cinema, and his moving performance in that film.
Rather patronising headline from the BBC News website: 'Film's Richard Attenborough dies'. Did they really think we wouldn't know who he was without the explanation of 'Film's ...'?
Rather patronising headline from the BBC News website: 'Film's Richard Attenborough dies'. Did they really think we wouldn't know who he was without the explanation of 'Film's ...'?
If you take offense at something like that, how do you get out of bed in the morning?
Very, very sad to hear this news. By all accounts a fine human being. Condolences to his family and friends. Shall be digging out some DVD's and old videos and watching in tribute. I think I shall watch The Sand Pebbles and The Angry Silence in particular. I don't have Gandhi, but do have Shadowlands, so shall be watching that as well.
For once that over hyped word "Legend" is certainly deserved when mentioning Richard Attenborough. I first saw him when he convincingly played a cockney schoolboy in The Guinea Pig in 1948, and he was already 25.
He was such a versatile actor, from the evil Pinkie on Brighton Rock, to the mouthy Regimental Sergeant Major in Guns at Batasi, which won him a well deserved BAFTA for the Best Actor of 1964.
I never had the pleasure of working with him when I was a Film Extra, but I heard from others who had, and they said that he was such a lovely man. and he always referred to them as "Ladies and Gentlemen".
Some people say that Mr Attenborough was never the same since his daughter & granddaughter died tragically in the Christmas Day Tsunami almost 10 years ago.
1: Brighton rock
2: great escape
3: Jurassic park
4: 10 rillington place
5: seance on a wet afternoon
6: miricale on 42nd street
7: the. Leauge on gentlemen
8: the little Indians
9: a bridge to far
10: guns at batasi
Interesting that the young presenter on Sky News last night clearly didnt have a clue who he was....
Does it really matter? Not everyone is interested in the same films, people. Richard Attenborough was very famous but I can see how some younger people will not be familiar with his work. It's nothing to judge them for is it?
1: Brighton rock
2: great escape
3: Jurassic park 4: 10 rillington place 5: seance on a wet afternoon
6: miricale on 42nd street
7: the. Leauge on gentlemen
8: the little Indians
9: a bridge to far
10: guns at batasi
Also.....
Ghandi (directed)
Matter of life and death (cameo)
You've just reminded me of three brilliant (and not so often seen) films he was in. He was really creepy in 10 Rillington Place, and apparently Grahame Greene didn't agree with him being cast as Pinky in Brighton Rock as he didn't think he would be evil enough. That was until Greene saw the rushes, and pronounced that Attenborough was brilliant.
My uncle knew him quite well having worked with him on a number of Dickie's films. I know he (my uncle) will be very sad to hear this news, and it's a great loss to the film industry. Happy memories of an excellent actor.
OK, I'm going to get slaughtered for this, but I feel I have to say it.
The media are calling him 'a true giant of the screen', 'a legend of cinema' etc, but was he really?
Yes, he was evil personified in Brighton Rock, but he then spent the next ten years playing snivelling cowards or wet-behind the ears sailors. Mostly bland character parts. Was his name ever 'above the title' or even at the top of the cast list? I can't ever recall saying 'oh, there's a Richard Attenborough film on this afternoon'.
I'd say he was good and dependable in films like 'The League of Gentlemen', The Great Escape etc, but was he really a legend?
He had a respected directorial career with Oh What a Lovely War and Ghandi, but does this mean he's a legend?
Please don't think I'm trolling. I liked him and most of the films he was in. He was by all accounts a really nice bloke and lived his life without attracting any of the usual accusations etc. It's a real shame he's gone and my thoughts are with his family. RIP.
EDIT. A poster above has reminded me of one of his best films - 10 Rillington Place. He was superb in that.
Comments
He was superb in many films but I would recommend Brighton Rock as one of his best.
My respects to his his family.
RIP
RIP
A talented and lovely man.
Only two from The Great Escape remaining now.
If you take offense at something like that, how do you get out of bed in the morning?
Brighton Rock is one of my favorite films
RIP Sir
Sleep tight Sir Richard.
He was such a versatile actor, from the evil Pinkie on Brighton Rock, to the mouthy Regimental Sergeant Major in Guns at Batasi, which won him a well deserved BAFTA for the Best Actor of 1964.
I never had the pleasure of working with him when I was a Film Extra, but I heard from others who had, and they said that he was such a lovely man. and he always referred to them as "Ladies and Gentlemen".
RIP Sir Richard
Some people say that Mr Attenborough was never the same since his daughter & granddaughter died tragically in the Christmas Day Tsunami almost 10 years ago.
May he rest in peace.
2: great escape
3: Jurassic park
4: 10 rillington place
5: seance on a wet afternoon
6: miricale on 42nd street
7: the. Leauge on gentlemen
8: the little Indians
9: a bridge to far
10: guns at batasi
Also.....
Ghandi (directed)
Matter of life and death (cameo)
Rip to Richard though , he was a good actor in the films i saw him in
Does it really matter? Not everyone is interested in the same films, people. Richard Attenborough was very famous but I can see how some younger people will not be familiar with his work. It's nothing to judge them for is it?
You've just reminded me of three brilliant (and not so often seen) films he was in. He was really creepy in 10 Rillington Place, and apparently Grahame Greene didn't agree with him being cast as Pinky in Brighton Rock as he didn't think he would be evil enough. That was until Greene saw the rushes, and pronounced that Attenborough was brilliant.
My uncle knew him quite well having worked with him on a number of Dickie's films. I know he (my uncle) will be very sad to hear this news, and it's a great loss to the film industry. Happy memories of an excellent actor.
Grew up watching that on video and how have the DVD - my favourite musical of all time and he will be remembered by me for being part of it.
Rest in peace Sir.
Well, they are brothers!
Yep, sad day. R.I.P., Richard.
The media are calling him 'a true giant of the screen', 'a legend of cinema' etc, but was he really?
Yes, he was evil personified in Brighton Rock, but he then spent the next ten years playing snivelling cowards or wet-behind the ears sailors. Mostly bland character parts. Was his name ever 'above the title' or even at the top of the cast list? I can't ever recall saying 'oh, there's a Richard Attenborough film on this afternoon'.
I'd say he was good and dependable in films like 'The League of Gentlemen', The Great Escape etc, but was he really a legend?
He had a respected directorial career with Oh What a Lovely War and Ghandi, but does this mean he's a legend?
Please don't think I'm trolling. I liked him and most of the films he was in. He was by all accounts a really nice bloke and lived his life without attracting any of the usual accusations etc. It's a real shame he's gone and my thoughts are with his family. RIP.
EDIT. A poster above has reminded me of one of his best films - 10 Rillington Place. He was superb in that.
As for his directorial career: Ghandi was one of those lavish blockbusters whose subject matter virtually "guaranteed" Oscar success.
He had a good career and a nice long life so he can't complain.