RIP: Sir Richard Attenborough

[erik]

The world of cinema has suffered another death in the family. Today, we lost actor and director Sir Richard Attenborough, whose directing credits include GANDHI, CHAPLIN, and A BRIDGE TOO FAR, and whose acting credits include the first two JURASSIC PARK films and THE GREAT ESCAPE:

news.yahoo.com/actor-director-richard-attenborough-dies-90-212939590.html

[profblues]

Aug 24, 2014 19:23:12 GMT -5 erik said:

The world of cinema has suffered another death in the family. Today, we lost actor and director Sir Richard Attenborough, whose directing credits include GANDHI, CHAPLIN, and A BRIDGE TOO FAR, and whose acting credits include the first two JURASSIC PARK films and THE GREAT ESCAPE:

news.yahoo.com/actor-director-richard-attenborough-dies-90-212939590.html

Squadron Leader and "Big X" Roger Bartlett in The Great Escape was my favorite role he took along with the role of "Frenchy" in The Sand Pebbles.

I enjoyed Gandhi and Chaplain, but I have to confess that A Bridge Too Far actually put me to sleep the first time I watched it in the theater.

[erik]

Quote by profblues re. A BRIDGE TOO FAR:

I have to confess that A Bridge Too Far actually put me to sleep the first time I watched it in the theater.

It was an admittedly very long film, and about one of the few losses the Allies suffered in the twelve months between the D-Day landing and their arrival in Berlin, which might have made it a downer. I think its reputation has risen a touch since its 1977 release.

[profblues]

Aug 25, 2014 8:38:25 GMT -5 erik said:

Quote by profblues re. A BRIDGE TOO FAR:

I have to confess that A Bridge Too Far actually put me to sleep the first time I watched it in the theater.

It was an admittedly very long film, and about one of the few losses the Allies suffered in the twelve months between the D-Day landing and their arrival in Berlin, which might have made it a downer. I think its reputation has risen a touch since its 1977 release.

maybe. I still haven't warmed up to it much since then.

[egoodstein]

A fine actor and director, and long distinguished career. And he did a great deal for British cinema in general. I think his directing could be hit or miss frankly, but at least he was often trying new things and not being boxed in by one particular style-- if he certainly owed something to David Lean of course, particularly on the 'epic' films. Always seemed like one of filmdom's good guys.

As an actor, besides ones mentioned, I also thought he did very well in 10 Rillington Place, about the serial killer John Christie, and in Flight of the Phoenix (a fine film in general IMO). Others too including the '40's version of Brighton Rock, a noir adapted from Graham Greene's novel.