Quote from Christopher Lee......

[Dúnedain]

I found this rather interesting. I was watching an interview with Christopher Lee (for those who don't know who he is, he is Saruman :D) and he was asked about what he thought about the movies and how they were made. Now, before I quote him, everyone should realize that he is probably one of the biggest Tolkienite's there will ever be, considering he has read The Lord of the Rings once a year for what the past 20-30 years! Well, anyway, this is what he said about the movies (this is loosely quoted by the way):

Question: What do you think about the movies and how they have been portrayed?

Response:
"I think it is marvellous, it captures the essence of Tolkien's visions and is everything I have always thought Middle Earth to be...."


I am in the process of finding this interview, so bear with me, but it's hard b/c it was a video :(

[hobinator]

i think that interview might be somewhere on the 3rd or 4th disc of the extended dvd, ill check that out tonight and verify it

[Dúnedain]

Originally posted by hobinator
i think that interview might be somewhere on the 3rd or 4th disc of the extended dvd, ill check that out tonight and verify it

Oh really? It might be, but I saw this on the net somewhere and it was after TTT came out, and they were asking him about The Two Towers....

[Celebréiel]

yeah I heard that also. I think it was on the extended dvd or something, but im not too sure. :rolleyes: Good for him. :p
~Celebréiel

[eowyngirl14]

I am almost positive Lee says something like it on the 4th disc of fotr extended version. I think that it is really cool that Lee had always wanted to play Gandalf, and they cast him as Saruman! If the movies are good enough for Christopher Lee, then I don't think any of us should be complaining!:) :)

[BeardofPants]

Christopher Lee? You mean the guy who spent most of his acting career in crappy B-Grade horrors? :rolleyes:

[Coney]

Originally posted by BeardofPants
Christopher Lee? You mean the guy who spent most of his acting career in crappy B-Grade horrors? :rolleyes:

Good practice for the LotR movies then:D (if mr Lee is reading then please be aware that this is a joke....don't be flying through my window looking to bite my neck........I look terrible in a lace and flannalette nightdress:eek: )

Seriously: Yup, the quote is on the DVD (extended):)

[hobinator]

Before Tolkien died, Christopher Lee actually had his blessing to play Gandalf if a movie was ever created. I think that is cool :).

[eowyngirl14]

Originally posted by hobinator
Before Tolkien died, Christopher Lee actually had his blessing to play Gandalf if a movie was ever created. I think that is cool :).

Ya... that is what I was refering too! Did anyone else watch the National Geographic special on 'The Man behind the Rings'... or something like that? I twas all about JRR Tolkien... a little boring, but very informative!:) :)

[Elf.Freak]

Originally posted by hobinator
Before Tolkien died, Christopher Lee actually had his blessing to play Gandalf if a movie was ever created. I think that is cool :).

aww! would've been nicer if he'd got the part, but he was brill as Saruman!:D

[eowyngirl14]

I think that Iam McKellan was the best Gandalf their could have been.... but I am sure that Lee would have done a super-dee-duper job! I think it would be iterested to see a version of lotr where Saruman is played by Ian, and Gandalf by Cristopher Lee!:) :)

[Celebréiel]

Originally posted by eowyngirl14
I think that Iam McKellan was the best Gandalf their could have been.... but I am sure that Lee would have done a super-dee-duper job! I think it would be iterested to see a version of lotr where Saruman is played by Ian, and Gandalf by Cristopher Lee!:) :)
That woulde be interesting...and weird. Like Lotr in the twilight zone!!

[Dúnedain]

Originally posted by eowyngirl14
I am almost positive Lee says something like it on the 4th disc of fotr extended version. I think that it is really cool that Lee had always wanted to play Gandalf, and they cast him as Saruman! If the movies are good enough for Christopher Lee, then I don't think any of us should be complaining!:) :)

Indeed indeed :D

In relation to BoP about CL being in B-movies, well that doesn't matter to me, I have always thought he was a wonderful actor and his portrayal as Saruman proves my point :D

I just like him so much because he really consumes his characters and his voice, especially as Saruman, is so commanding!

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Originally posted by hobinator
Before Tolkien died, Christopher Lee actually had his blessing to play Gandalf if a movie was ever created. I think that is cool :).

What? That's not fair! :mad:

[eowyngirl14]

Originally posted by Gwaimir Windgem
What? That's not fair! :mad:

What's not fait about it? They were 'penpals' and had met several times in real life!:) :)

[Celebréiel]

*giggles thinking about Christopher Lee and Tolkien as 'pen pals'*
It just brings a smile to my face. :D
~ Celebréiel

[hobinator]

As for Lee being in a lot of B movies, thats irrevelavent and I would perceive it as an insult, but not many actors out there can say they have acted in over 200 movies. Thats quite a record. :)

[Gwaimir Windgem]

I mean it's not fair that he got stuck with Saruman, instead of Gandalf.

[Aeryn Evenstar]

I could see Christopher Lee as Gandalf. But he usually plays the baddie these days. ;) But if Ian McKellen played Saruman and CL Gandalf, I don't think Ian McKellen could have been as intimidating. Christopher Lee is, after all, 6 1/2 feet tall! And he has this commanding voice! ;)

[eowyngirl14]

Originally posted by Gwaimir Windgem
I mean it's not fair that he got stuck with Saruman, instead of Gandalf.

Ya... I guess that might have been a little unfair, but he still got to be in the movie!:) :) And he did an excellent job!

[Hasty Ent]

I think Lee was a fine Saruman, but with that quote, imho, he was simply towing the company line. What else could he say, for crying out loud? Considering his personal investment in the films, and the fact that they rejuvenated his career, I don't see how he could possibly have said anything else. Whether he truly believes what he said is immaterial. Performers almost always support the production, director, fellow actors, etc. It's the politically correct thing to do, keeps their publicist happy, and ensures the perception that they are team players. The latter is important if they want to continue to be cast in future films.

[LuthienTinuviel]

Originally posted by Hasty Ent
I think Lee was a fine Saruman, but with that quote, imho, he was simply towing the company line. What else could he say, for crying out loud? Considering his personal investment in the films, and the fact that they rejuvenated his career, I don't see how he could possibly have said anything else. Whether he truly believes what he said is immaterial. Performers almost always support the production, director, fellow actors, etc. It's the politically correct thing to do, keeps their publicist happy, and ensures the perception that they are team players. The latter is important if they want to continue to be cast in future films.

you've got a point, i remember how muchi had to say that i loved doing hello dolly for the school play, but behind the scenes.. *shudder*

I look terrible in a lace and flannalette nightdress )

oh no.... jeheezus, i DO have to go to sleep tonight, coney

[Black Breathalizer]

Whether it is Christopher Lee in LOTR or our own famous actor-in-residence, LuthienTinuviel in Hello Dolly, I can appreciate the "loved the director...great experience, blah, blah, blah" lines they say in public may not always be true. But in the case of Lee, if his feelings were not genuine, he would not have gone on to say that the LOTR production was going to make film history. If he thought it sucked and the audience was going to soon learn the awful truth, he certainly wouldn't have gone into hype overdrive.

[eowyngirl14]

Originally posted by Black Breathalizer
Whether it is Christopher Lee in LOTR or our own famous actor-in-residence, LuthienTinuviel in Hello Dolly, I can appreciate the "loved the director...great experience, blah, blah, blah" lines they say in public may not always be true. But in the case of Lee, if his feelings were not genuine, he would not have gone on to say that the LOTR production was going to make film history. If he thought it sucked and the audience was going to soon learn the awful truth, he certainly wouldn't have gone into hype overdrive.

I agree!:) :)

[Coney]

oh no.... jeheezus, i DO have to go to sleep tonight, coney

Eh?? I've shaved me legs and everything!:( :p

if his feelings were not genuine, he would not have gone on to say that the LOTR production was going to make film history.

Unfortunately it doesn't look like they [the films] will make history...since the poor showing at the golden globe awards the critics are turning agains TTT and more an more lampoon is emerging *shrug*.

Ten years time and LotR movies will viewed as just another set of action movies........probably fighting with Indiana Jones to see which film is shown on xmas day:rolleyes:

They certainly won't go down as "classics" IMO

In all fairness I did throughly enjoy Lee's portrayal of Saruman.....a good job well done by a [now] great actor. It is just a shame that they had to arse around with the story so much.....I would have loved to have seen Lee play Saruman in The Scouring of the Shire:(

[eowyngirl14]

I will make it my life goal to see that the lotr films go down in history!:) :) They will be like Starwars! Everyone willl see them, even if they think they will suck!:) :)

[Black Breathalizer]

Originally posted by Coney
Ten years time and LotR movies will viewed as just another set of action movies........probably fighting with Indiana Jones to see which film is shown on xmas day. They certainly won't go down as "classics" IMOYou probably thought Oakland would beat Tampa Bay too. :D

[Insidious Rex]

Originally posted by eowyngirl14
I will make it my life goal to see that the lotr films go down in history!:) :) They will be like Starwars! Everyone willl see them, even if they think they will suck!:) :)

EVERYONE WILL LOVE THEM AND DISPAIR!!

No but really you are absolutely right about them being this generations star wars. Like them or hate them thats just the way it is. Especially since this generations ACTUAL star wars movies dont make the cut really. And like them or hate them they will go down in film making history as more then just a grand slam at the box office but a significant if not unique filmatic event. they will be a measure by which other films of their like will be judged. and in a decade or so 20 somethings will look back and say now why cant they make movies like they did when i was a kid like lord of the rings . and then they will truly be established as classics of course since nostalgia is the ultimate boromiter.

And hey what was so bad about the first Indiana Jones movie anyway? Now THAT was a classic....

[Dunadan]

Originally posted by Insidious Rex
EVERYONE WILL LOVE THEM AND DISPAIR!!

No but really you are absolutely right about them being this generations star wars.
OMG I hope not. I cringe whenever I see one of those films these days.

I can't see them being TV-friendly (too long). If they do end up being regarded as "classics" it'll be because of the depth and integrity of the design. There'll always be an audience for them because people who love the books will always take huge delight in seeing ME recreated in such detail.

The more people in general see them, the more they'll appreciate this. (This is the opposite of the Star Wars effect.) And no-one will ever tire of seeing Gandalf whacking lumps out of that balrog:D

cheers

d.

[Coney]

Originally posted by Black Breathalizer
You probably thought Oakland would beat Tampa Bay too. :D

Hmm, no ........ but probably for the same reason that I can't see PJ's interpretation of the wonderful book being regarded as classic.