British Universities Film & Video Council

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John Gielgud Looks Back

Synopsis
Television documentary. John Gielgud answers questions from a group of RADA students about his career and profession and gives firm but courteous criticisms. On the subject of Shakespeare and film he thought little of Hollywood productions (A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (1935) and ROMEO AND JULIET (1936)) and feels that Olivier’s HENRY V (1944) was the first successful attempt to film Shakespeare. He regrets that Olivier was never able to film Macbeth and praises Branagh highly, especially HENRY V (1989). He admires Greenaway who nevertheless gave him no direction for PROSPERO’S BOOKS (1991). He speaks of instructing Marlon Brando in JULIUS CAESAR (1953) but was disappointed at Brando’s playing of the forum scene where he chose to follow his own inclinations.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Television
Technical information
Colour / Sound
Transmission details
3 Jan 1993 (Channel: Channel Four)
Duration
62 mins

Credits

Director
Andrew Holmes
Producer
Steven Phillips
Contributor
John Gielgud

Additional Details

Production type
Documentary/Educational/News
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
Gielgud, John (1904-2000); Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Shakespeare on film

Production Company

Name

Holmes Associates

Archive

Name

BFI National Archive

Web
http://www.bfi.org.uk/archive-collections/searching-access-collections/research-viewing-services External site opens in new window
Phone
020 7255 1444
Fax
020 7436 0165
Address
21 Stephen Street
London
W1T 1LN

Record Stats

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