Lee on the lees of evil - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Bêthberry · 06-02-2003, 02:46 AM

Last week The Guardian 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. He makes some brief comments about RotK and Peter Jackson as well as his characterization of Saruman.

Ainaserkewen · 06-02-2003, 11:44 AM

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

Daisy Brambleburr · 06-02-2003, 12:50 PM

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

Lyra Greenleaf · 06-02-2003, 01:00 PM

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

06-02-2003, 01:01 PM

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. Congratulations to Cristopher on his career and life. I hope he gets to be much older and wiser!![ June 06, 2003: Message edited by: Sparks ]

Beruthiel · 06-06-2003, 02:32 AM

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. 220 movies in total! Thats amazing... To be honest the only other movie that I've seen with Christopher Lee in it was Star Wars!

Bêthberry · 06-06-2003, 06:58 AM

Lee makes an interesting observation about the nature of evil and villains. I wonder how this comment applies to his depiction of Saruman? <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." <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Have we seen this sadness in Saruman yet? Is it something to watch for in Lee's performance in ROtK?Bêthberry

HCIsland · 06-06-2003, 07:10 AM

I think it comes across in his performance.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.H.C.

LePetitChoux · 06-06-2003, 10:07 AM

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

The Only Real Estel · 06-06-2003, 03:31 PM

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

Ophelia · 06-07-2003, 08:20 AM

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....

HCIsland · 06-07-2003, 08:23 AM

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

Neferchoirwen · 06-07-2003, 09:19 AM

<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>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! <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> We cannot stop ourselves doing what we are doing <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>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.

Frodo 007 · 06-10-2003, 01:48 AM

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

Bêthberry · 06-10-2003, 09:25 AM

Thanks for all the responses here. Let me pick up on just two points, for the sake of focus.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?Neferchoirwen, that's an interesting point that villains are depressed people. What are we to make of Frodo's despair, though?Bêthberry

HCIsland · 06-10-2003, 01:31 PM

<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? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> 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.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.Book spoiler coming .... . . . . . . .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.H.C.[ June 10, 2003: Message edited by: HCIsland ]

06-02-2003, 02:46 AM	#1
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	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. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

06-02-2003, 11:44 AM	#2
Ainaserkewen Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A cosmic waiting room Posts: 651	He's 81!!! Wow, and still kickn' too.<BR>Interesting interview, I really like Christopher Lee, thanks for posting. __________________ Solus... I'm eating chicken again. I ate chicken yesterday and the day before... will I be eating chicken again tomorrow? Why am I always eating chicken?

06-02-2003, 12:50 PM	#3
Daisy Brambleburr Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 334	Oh my goodness! He's 81? No way! __________________ 'What news from the South, O sighing wind, do you bring to me at eve? Where now is Boromir the Fair? He tarries and I grieve.'

06-02-2003, 01:00 PM	#4
Lyra Greenleaf The Diaphanous Dryad Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: R toL: 531, past the wild path Posts: 1,152	<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? __________________ “Sylphs of the forest,” I whispered. “Spirits of oak, beech and ash. Dryads of Rowan and hazel, hear us. You who have guided and guarded our every footstep, you who have sheltered our growth, we honour you." the Forbidden Link

06-02-2003, 01:01 PM	#5
Sparks Guest Posts: n/a	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 ]

06-06-2003, 02:32 AM	#6
Beruthiel Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Set adrift on the Great Sea Posts: 373	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! __________________ ~I am not young enough to know everything~ Oscar Wilde

06-06-2003, 06:58 AM	#7
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	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’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

06-06-2003, 07:10 AM	#8
HCIsland Zombie Cannibal Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,000	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. __________________ "Stir not the bitterness in the cup that I mixed myself. Have I not tasted it now many nights upon my tongue, foreboding that worse yet lay in the dregs." -Denethor

06-06-2003, 10:07 AM	#9
LePetitChoux Vegetable of Doom Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: London Posts: 720	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. __________________ je suis une bonne odeur

06-06-2003, 03:31 PM	#10
The Only Real Estel Raffish Rapscallion Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Far from the 'Downs, it seems :-( Posts: 2,835	I would never have thought Lee was 81 until I heard it. He does hold the record for most screen credits...

06-07-2003, 08:20 AM	#11
Ophelia Wight Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: somewhere between the sacred , silence and sweet . Posts: 169	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 didn't lose my mind . It was mine to give away .

06-07-2003, 08:23 AM	#12
HCIsland Zombie Cannibal Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,000	I'm assuming the grin is meant to indicate a touch of sarcacism. <P>H.C.<p>[ June 07, 2003: Message edited by: HCIsland ] __________________ "Stir not the bitterness in the cup that I mixed myself. Have I not tasted it now many nights upon my tongue, foreboding that worse yet lay in the dregs." -Denethor

06-07-2003, 09:19 AM	#13
Neferchoirwen Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: RtR: 483.3 miles, Fords of Bruinen Posts: 512	<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. __________________ On really romantic nights of self, I go salsa dancing with my confusion. ~Speed Levitch http://crevicesofsilence.blogspot.com/

06-10-2003, 01:48 AM	#14
Frodo 007 Haunting Spirit Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Wellington, New Zealand (Middle-Earth Baby Yeah!!!) Posts: 85	Christopher Lee is awesome!!! Such a good actor and still going!!!He must be so proud of himself!!! __________________ Elen Sila Lúmenn' Omentielvo

06-10-2003, 09:25 AM	#15
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	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 __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

06-10-2003, 01:31 PM	#16
HCIsland Zombie Cannibal Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,000	<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 ] __________________ "Stir not the bitterness in the cup that I mixed myself. Have I not tasted it now many nights upon my tongue, foreboding that worse yet lay in the dregs." -Denethor