Kermode Uncut: Farewell Edward Woodward 

Edward Woodward was simply one of the best British actors ever. His acting in the TV series the Equilizer may not have been his most satisfying role but for me the depth of character he demonstrated was staggering.

I met him in Australia at a concert and he signed one of his albums for me. And I asked him about playing callam in all wear weathers most of the time it seemed to be raining or the middle of the night he answer was. In the callen voice " bloody hard my son bloody hard "a golden memory of a lovely man

Like so many other British actors, he never really got the recognition that his talents deserved. Another one was the late Ian Hendry:

A genuinely heroically decent man indeed.

Used to watch Edward Woodward and Russell Hunter in Callan on TV with my mum and dad nearly 50 years ago. One of my favourites. R.I.P. Mr W! And, thanks Mark, for the lovely obit.

He was a really fine actor, and very much underrated one in my opinion. He acted with a warmth and a charm, and always remained honest to the role. His starring role in Callan is a particular favorite of mine,...I also think he was wonderful in the cult classic horror The Wicker man....but why a particular like Edward Woodward is he remained humble and very grounded as a person, a really lovely chap,...and a damn fine actor

"Oh Jesus Christ!" that line will stick in my head forever, I never normally say this about stars I've never met but R.I.P Edward Woodward.

I only know him as the Equalizer. Tremendous talent. RIP, Mr. Woodward

Thanks for posting this, in memory of a brilliant talent Edward Woodward...kind words and well said that man👍

Wow that was realy special what a wonderful tribute by the brilliant Mark Kermode for the great Edward Woodward forever to be remembered for The Wicker man and Callan and numerous other great parts

IMHO, Edward Woodward's work that not only made him as an actor but defined his skillful character acting was in "Breaker Morant". There is a film that will break your heart. From the book "Scapegoats of the Empire" it is ironic that he is so British.

Love the little homage to The Equaliser at the end of this too. Thanks Mark. This was largely ignored here in America but its nice to see some respect and his Equaliser was the right kind of vigilantism, his character suffered unlike Harry brown.

Thank you Mark, have always admired and respected your views on film, Sam Woodward.

Only just come across this post, I also grew up with Edward woodwood in my life and I think his ultimate acting strength was to play it very real indeed and I cannot think of a bad performance by him at all. I met him in Gilbert harding is dead, and just being in his presence was a very overwhelming experience.... But in a nice way and his dedication to his craft is testament to his outstanding ability as a man and a great actor. I miss his work very much indeed but keep a large body of his work to watch... For myself growing up he was no doubt the finest performer of his generation. Bravo and farewell.

This is so true he came across as a great man I loved you Edward you was made for TV R.I.P my darling Edward

Beautiful. Thanks Mark.

I liked Edward Woodward as an actor. I liked him in The Wicker Man. Check out a film very underrated The Appointment. I even liked him in Who Dares Wins.

RIP Edward Woodward from a fan

The last image shown was of Edward Woodward as the Equalizer, which is how I knew him. I was only introduced to him as Callan here on RU-vid. He truly was a remarkable actor and very down-to-Earth. I wish I had met him and had the honor of working with him. He is an inspiration to me as an actor. I guess I can only honor him in my work, having never been able to meet him.

I loved him with the Scotch accent in the Wicker man. For me too he made the film.

He was one of the best Edward Woodward

Really well said . I must admit my best memories of Edward Woodward are from his TV stuff , in particular Callan which was part of my youth and which I never missed. I have recently acquired the movie of Callan which this tribute has reminded me of, so that is going on the player right now. It is good to know that someone you admired was worthy of that admiration Thanks Mark

That was well said Mark. Edward will be missed for many reasons. The Equalizer, Codename Kyril (HTV) and The Wicker Man for me. His screams in the Wicker Man as he's being burnt alive freaks me out everytime. Oh loved the heavenesque Equalizer image at the end. Very good! lol

Lovely. RIP Edward Woodward as people continue to enjoy your work and wonder a little bit about whether Lonely really smelled that badly. God bless.

thank you! mark. Edward was my favourite actor ever, and you summed him up, Im sory it took me so long to find this.

I really loved him in Hot Fuzz probably because it was the first role i actually saw of his.

Moving tribute, yeh Edward definitely had something else ! Love Callan, EQZ, Wicker man , Breaker morant, Hot Fuzz..... Why isn't EQZ season 2-5 avail yet ? tut....

RIP Edward. It's a touching homage you're delivering Dr ... thank you. My answer to your question about the most memorable film/scene with E. Woodward is : The Wicker Man ! As for a specific scene, it's hard to tell: maybe the one at school when he's telling what a bunch of liars they are / or perhaps the final scene before going into the wicker man ... anyway : the Whole film is built on him and his wonderful interpretation !!

I was INTENSELY disappointed that Australia, as far as I know, completely! ignored Edward Woodward's death. Considering he was a pivotal actor in a seminal Australian film that is Breaker Morant...Australia should be ashamed. For me it's all too late. Australia is a cultural pygmy living in a desert of self indulgence. I'm off to the UK as soon as possible!

If anybody would, Edward Woodward would.

Hear hear. Whenever I think of the Wickerman, it is the moment that he sees the wicker man that I remember so vividly. You could probably measure what great acting is by Edward's performance in that scene.

Liked him in every one of the roles I was him in, and always sought out his performances.

Great tribute.

good on you sir thanks

Well said Mark.

nice one, mark

The best, funniest, and most chilling Ghost of Christmas Present (from the George C. Scott version) Watch his seething and smirking fury when he tells Scrooge " It might be in the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless and less fit to live than MILLIONS like this poor man's child!!"

Loved Ewar Woowar! 👍

Woodward's best part was Callan. Not a pleasant character, but well-written and well acted.

Bravo.

Thanksyou, and well said. "I've heard of the famous apples of course..."

its a shame for me that he never worked with john carpenter.

thank you .lovely tribute.in a rare interview about callan he was eqaully decent giving all the glory to russel hunter.callan spawned a cult phenomenon similar to star trek in the states.series 2 ends with callan apparently dead. end of show! graffitti sprang up callan lives! across walls everywhere.tv journos wrote long complicated pieces about the phenomenom and the thousands of protest letters received by itv.why was it cancelled?bring it back! actually they intended another series after the 2nd but edward was invited for a season at the rsc by lord olivier! he couldnt turn it down but agreed to do more callan afterwards as happened.itv kept it quiet to increase audience anticipation for when it did return! first case i think of deluded fan theories so common today !

How is "The Wicker Man" Flawed? Same as "The Exorcist" is very Flawed.

3:55 How *ON EARTH* did Sergeant Howie 'save the community'???? Could someone explain that to me, please?

Callan

I always championed Woodward in the film, I love Christopher Lee as an actor but Lord Summerisle is a repulsive character in my eyes

heroically decent?

I didn't listen to this all the way through because the camera angle at which you were taped made it so that all your gestures kept covering your face; that was irritating to me constantly, so I finally stopped watching. If you're going to make comment on such a wonderful actor, please face the camera head-on without mumbling, and give the topic some respect without all the gestures which meant nothing to me.