There goes one of the most sincere and sensitive Englishmen who was an absolute master of his craft of acting if not the very best anywhere. Also one of recklessness that proved so costly. Remember Denholm Elliot.
I saw Mr Elliott in Clive Donner's underrated classic "Nothing But the Best" when I was in film school 35 years ago. He instantly became my favorite actor, and remains so today in 2014.
Thanks so much for this! I have been discovering Mr. Elliott's work in the last few years and have never come across anything but wonderful performances. A few of the things he says in this interview, along with a few more good ones appear on his IMDb bio page.
An actor of admirable range and sensitivity. A reliable mainstay of many productions whose work is captured for posterity (thank goodness) via the home entertainment industry. What a shame there is not more of this particular programme available for our enjoyment.
Incredible to hear men of his vintage speaking so casually and fleetingly about traumatic wartime experiences that, these days, might require an entire series of tear-stained reminiscences. Mr Elliot was awfully good at morally and emotionally ambiguous characters. It appears that many thinking men took this from their experiences in 'the good war'. That the accepted 'order' was deeply flawed and its proponents likewise. Had the war not occurred, he might also have made it as a romantic lead, as he was quite striking in his young days.
Thanks Andrew for helping me understand that Gabriel Byrne meant no malice in his rendering of WC Fields quote about animals and children. Elliott had a very beautiful melifluous voice and I remember him in all his roles that I saw which were always remarkable and noteworthy. I particularly liked and admired his jaded philosophical voice in Watership Down as 'Cowslip: the pontificating poetry citing rabbit who dissimulates to the rabbits so they might stay in his warren and by their number shield him from impending catastrophe. His role in 'Trading Places' (Paramount Movies- 1983) as the inimitable Coleman with Eddie Murphy and Dan Ackroyd was just so satisfying as the loyal butler who learns to trust his own instincts and go with the underdog Billy Ray Valentine giving him his life long earnings so that he might escape a veritable indentured position with the huxtering Duke brothers. Favorite Elliott scene for me in Trading Places Elliott's is when the discombobulated host (Murphy)who declaims - '"Who has been putting out their Kool's on my floor?" Elliot rather in rather debonair tones asks Billy Ray - Would you like me to prepare some more au douevres for the guests sir? Billy Ray -" Fuck them"😂 Ah and I could go on and on about how charming he was in other roles including his brilliant character in the Speilberg Indiana Jones series but I fear I will loose readers if I haven't already - ah goodbye Denholm Elliott - we certainly shall not see your likes again- I sign off this rant with a quote from Elliot I copied from the IMBD site which I think hints at the beautiful nature of Elliot's personality I'm often given parts that aren't as big as they are colorful, but people remember them. When it's a minor or supporting role, you learn to make the most of what you're given. I can make two lines seem like 'Hamlet'. [The last quote of this rare clip] I love my freedom and I hate the demands that are made on you. I mean the number of jobs actually that I've turned down is incredible. If I took them all and pushed and was seen in the right places and did all that nonsense, I suppose one could become a top-ranking star. I think the price is too high, quite honestly." 💚💚💚
@@stephenbyrne3512 I think you have completely misinterpreted the quote. It is not meant as a put-down, quite the opposite: DE was such a good actor he wld act you off the stage. It is also a commonplace that children & animals likewise detract from an actor's performance.
