Sir Christopher Lee dies at 93 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Aganzir · 06-11-2015, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Sir Christopher Lee, the screen legend whose career took him from Hammer horror to Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and a role as one of the great Bond villains, has died. He was 93.
The veteran actor died at 8.30am on Sunday at London’s Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, sources close to his family said.
He had been treated there for respiratory problems and heart failure over the preceding three weeks and turned 93 in hospital.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/cele...dies-live.html

*raises a glass*

Mithalwen · 06-11-2015, 06:08 AM

May his spirit, unlike Sarunan's be accepted into the West.

A truly remarkable man. His Saruman was not as Tolkien wrote him (in the way that Peter Howell's was) but his was nevertheless a commanding performance in a "simplified for film" version of the character. Sad news even after a very long and full life.

Lotrelf · 06-11-2015, 06:31 AM

May his soul rest in peace. It's saddening to read this as if I thought he could live forever. He was the only one from the movies who had met Tolkien (if I'm not getting it wrong) and today it seems that "link" that connected past to the present is broken.

He'll live forever in our memories through his performances.

Legate of Amon Lanc · 06-11-2015, 02:19 PM

He was a great persona, to be sure. Charismatic, full of experience, and - I can't think now of anyone else at this moment I could say this about - a true gentleman, too, one of those with whom the title "sir" did not seem like an empty honorific title. I'd only wish he'd had the chance to play the "full" Saruman, as it seems it was something he had wanted to do very much. But he certainly left his mark even so.

*bows respectfully to the memory of him*

Child of the 7th Age · 06-11-2015, 11:24 PM

So sorry to hear this. I particularly enjoyed his role in Jinnah.

Aiwendil · 06-12-2015, 11:23 PM

This is indeed very sad news. Lee was one of my favourite things about the Lord of the Rings films. And though I didn't care for Jackson's The Hobbit films (and I don't think Saruman should have been in them at all), I am glad that Lee lived long enough to appear in them.

On a pleasanter note, it's nice to see you around, Child!

Andsigil · 06-13-2015, 04:11 AM

An actor who was a war hero, loved his country, and stayed married to the same woman for 54 years. Imagine that.

And, so, with his passing, the light of Aman dims even more in this world.

Pitchwife · 06-13-2015, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotrelf

It's saddening to read this as if I thought he could live forever.

This. He seemed to defy time, death and old age to a degree reminiscent of a certain Transsylvanian count's strange ways of always coming back for another movie. I can't remember a time when he wasn't around, and it's hard to imagine the future without him. He was his own monument, but a remarkably lively and mobile one - I don't think anybody watching his performance as Count Dooku in Star Wars would have given him eighty years if they hadn't been told. And he was one of us, a dedicated fan and habitual re-reader of Tolkien's work. Farewell!

Mithalwen · 06-13-2015, 03:11 PM

Some may not know, since her career has been more in the theatre, is that his niece is the great Shakespearean actor Dame Harriet Walter. Although she is of a much less imposing stature she has a great presence and certain resemblance, particularly the eyes.

Lalaith · 06-14-2015, 04:04 PM

Harriet Walter is his niece!? Well I never.
An amazing Duchess of Malfi. And of course, the definitive Harriet Vane. You're so right about the eyes, Mith.

Mithalwen · 06-14-2015, 04:29 PM

Yes, one of those odd snippets of information that stick in my brain, and I have been a huge fan since seeing the Wimsey adaptations when very young. I think the likeness is stronger now she is older. The eyes are remarkable, no doubt a legacy of their Italian mother/grandmother. I seem to recall, Sayers had Wimsey say something on the lines of all the best English people weren't entirely English....

TheGreatElvenWarrior · 06-19-2015, 03:05 PM

I was deeply saddened when I heard the news about Christopher Lee's death. I, too, thought he would live forever. As it is, I am glad that we walked the earth for a time together.

06-11-2015, 06:08 AM	#2
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,460	May his spirit, unlike Sarunan's be accepted into the West. A truly remarkable man. His Saruman was not as Tolkien wrote him (in the way that Peter Howell's was) but his was nevertheless a commanding performance in a "simplified for film" version of the character. Sad news even after a very long and full life. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

06-11-2015, 06:31 AM	#3
Lotrelf Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 265	May his soul rest in peace. It's saddening to read this as if I thought he could live forever. He was the only one from the movies who had met Tolkien (if I'm not getting it wrong) and today it seems that "link" that connected past to the present is broken. He'll live forever in our memories through his performances. __________________ A short saying oft contains much wisdom. ~Sophocles

06-11-2015, 02:19 PM	#4
Legate of Amon Lanc A Voice That Gainsayeth Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: In that far land beyond the Sea Posts: 7,431	He was a great persona, to be sure. Charismatic, full of experience, and - I can't think now of anyone else at this moment I could say this about - a true gentleman, too, one of those with whom the title "sir" did not seem like an empty honorific title. I'd only wish he'd had the chance to play the "full" Saruman, as it seems it was something he had wanted to do very much. But he certainly left his mark even so. bows respectfully to the memory of him __________________ "Should the story say 'he ate bread,' the dramatic producer can only show 'a piece of bread' according to his taste or fancy, but the hearer of the story will think of bread in general and picture it in some form of his own." -On Fairy-Stories

06-11-2015, 11:24 PM	#5
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	So sorry to hear this. I particularly enjoyed his role in Jinnah. __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

06-13-2015, 04:11 AM	#7
Andsigil Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Deepest Forges of Ered Luin Posts: 733	An actor who was a war hero, loved his country, and stayed married to the same woman for 54 years. Imagine that. And, so, with his passing, the light of Aman dims even more in this world. __________________ Even as fog continues to lie in the valleys, so does ancient sin cling to the low places, the depression in the world consciousness.

06-12-2015, 11:23 PM	#6
Aiwendil Late Istar Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 2,224	This is indeed very sad news. Lee was one of my favourite things about the Lord of the Rings films. And though I didn't care for Jackson's The Hobbit films (and I don't think Saruman should have been in them at all), I am glad that Lee lived long enough to appear in them. On a pleasanter note, it's nice to see you around, Child!

06-13-2015, 03:11 PM	#9
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,460	Some may not know, since her career has been more in the theatre, is that his niece is the great Shakespearean actor Dame Harriet Walter. Although she is of a much less imposing stature she has a great presence and certain resemblance, particularly the eyes. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

06-14-2015, 04:04 PM	#10
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	Harriet Walter is his niece!? Well I never. An amazing Duchess of Malfi. And of course, the definitive Harriet Vane. You're so right about the eyes, Mith. __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

06-14-2015, 04:29 PM	#11
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,460	Yes, one of those odd snippets of information that stick in my brain, and I have been a huge fan since seeing the Wimsey adaptations when very young. I think the likeness is stronger now she is older. The eyes are remarkable, no doubt a legacy of their Italian mother/grandmother. I seem to recall, Sayers had Wimsey say something on the lines of all the best English people weren't entirely English....

06-19-2015, 03:05 PM	#12
TheGreatElvenWarrior Mighty Quill Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walking off to look for America Posts: 2,230	I was deeply saddened when I heard the news about Christopher Lee's death. I, too, thought he would live forever. As it is, I am glad that we walked the earth for a time together. __________________ The Party Doesn't Start Until You're Dead.