Lee on the lees of evil
 

Last week <B>The Guardian</B> ran <A HREF="http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,6737,966255,00.html" TARGET=_blank>an interview with Christopher Lee</A> to celebrate his 81st birthday. <P>He makes some brief comments about RotK and Peter Jackson as well as his characterization of Saruman.

He's 81!!! Wow, and still kickn' too.<BR>Interesting interview, I really like Christopher Lee, thanks for posting.

Oh my goodness! He's 81? No way!

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>, I parted his hair and there he was'. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>He hasn't lost his sense of humour anyway!<P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> Christopher Lee takes a long puff on his vast cigar <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>I thought smoking shortened your life? I think there's something very odd about this man. Perhaps he has Numenorean blood? Just a trickle?

Wow I can't believe he's 81!!! Iam really sorry abou my last post the problem is that I read only cristopher and not the last name and I thought it was Cristopher Tolkien. Well again I am sorry. <BR> <BR>Congratulations to Cristopher on his career and life. I hope he gets to be much older and wiser!!<p>[ June 06, 2003: Message edited by: Sparks ]

Wow I can't believe he's 81! Its pretty amazing for him still to be working in such a business as acting, I would think it would be really stressful and hard.<BR>220 movies in total! Thats amazing...<BR>To be honest the only other movie that I've seen with Christopher Lee in it was Star Wars!

Lee makes an interesting observation about the nature of evil and villains. I wonder how this comment applies to his depiction of Saruman? <P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> "There is something sad about malevolence, to be wicked," he says. "I have always tried to make that come across in the villains I have played.... I think there is a great sadness in villains, and I have tried to out that across. We cannot stop ourselves doing what we are doing."<BR> <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Have we seen this sadness in Saruman yet? Is it something to watch for in Lee's performance in ROtK?<P>Bêthberry

I think it comes across in his performance.<P>Saruman is a victim of his own shortcomings. Unfortunately, he takes a lot of people down with him. I think there is a touch of pity in how he brings Saruman to the screen.<P>H.C.

Hi, Sparks and welcome to the Downs! May your rest be long and peaceful! <P>I have a leetle comment about your post:<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>...even though he is the son of the magnificent jrr tolkien...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>I think you're getting him confused with Christopher <I>Tolkien</I>, who, as far as I know didn't participate in, or support the films in any way.

I would never have thought Lee was 81 until I heard it. He does hold the record for most screen credits...

Wow....!He's in a really good shape for 81 . It can be seen in the scene of grandpa fight . Such moves . I am gelous....

I'm assuming the grin is meant to indicate a touch of sarcacism. <P>H.C.<p>[ June 07, 2003: Message edited by: HCIsland ]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> You had never seen so many diehard communists making the sign of the cross. They thought he had come back to life!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>He looks and sounds great for an 81 year old person! He's about as old as my grandfather, and I just imagine how life is with a granpa who does dracula and an evil wizard!<P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> We cannot stop ourselves doing what we are doing <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Oh how true. Once you know you can do something, you go ahead and do it. It's the choice that makes it or breaks it. Villains are desperately depressed people. I saw that in the first film where Saruman was hunched up in his "office." It's a small scene, but it shows how much of a looser villains are.

Christopher Lee is awesome!!! Such a good actor and still going!!!He must be so proud of himself!!!

Thanks for all the responses here. Let me pick up on just two points, for the sake of focus.<P><B>HCIsland</B>, you wouldn't care to elaborate, would you, on Saruman's shortcomings? And is this pity in Tolkien's book or is it something unique to Christopher Lee's interpretation of Saruman?<P><B>Neferchoirwen</B>, that's an interesting point that villains are depressed people. What are we to make of Frodo's despair, though?<P>Bêthberry

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> HCIsland, you wouldn't care to elaborate, would you, on Saruman's shortcomings? And is this pity in Tolkien's book or is it something unique to Christopher Lee's interpretation of Saruman?<BR> <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>All of Tolkien's villains are victims of their own shortcomings and Saruman is no exception. I think envy was Saruman's biggest, envy of Gandalf. Envy and ego to give him two. I don't want to go into it too much as it more belongs in the book forum.<P>I do think this comes across in Lee's performance in little ways. Him sitting in Orthanc clutching himself after using the palantir has already been brought up. He looks spent there. It's interesting to note though, that the reason for him sitting like that is to cover his hand as it was bandaged after being caught in a car door, it think. Quite fortuitous.<P>Book spoiler coming ...<P>.<BR>.<BR>.<BR>.<BR>.<BR>.<BR>.<BR>.<P>Maybe I'm the only one, but I also had a smidge of pity for Saruman at the end when his spirit rises and turns to the west and the wind blows him away.<P>H.C.<p>[ June 10, 2003: Message edited by: HCIsland ]