John Hurt: 1940-2017
January 27, 2017 6:24 PM Subscribe
He was Olivander, that's true, and the War Doctor. But he was also John Merrick, Kane, and Winston Smith. John Hurt has died at the age of 77.
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posted by Become A Silhouette at 6:30 PM on January 27, 2017
posted by Become A Silhouette at 6:30 PM on January 27, 2017
NO MORE.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:34 PM on January 27, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:34 PM on January 27, 2017 [12 favorites]
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posted by maryrussell at 6:40 PM on January 27, 2017
posted by maryrussell at 6:40 PM on January 27, 2017
This made me unexpectedly sad. His voice was singular and he was an actor cut from the old cloth.
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 6:40 PM on January 27, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 6:40 PM on January 27, 2017 [7 favorites]
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posted by greermahoney at 6:41 PM on January 27, 2017
posted by greermahoney at 6:41 PM on January 27, 2017
Damn it. He was a very engrossing actor - always enjoyed watching him.
RIP
posted by mosk at 6:42 PM on January 27, 2017
RIP
posted by mosk at 6:42 PM on January 27, 2017
RIP, and let's not forget him showing his sense of humor here
posted by jonmc at 6:44 PM on January 27, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by jonmc at 6:44 PM on January 27, 2017 [7 favorites]
NO MORE.
I've got some bad news for you, man.
posted by ryanshepard at 6:45 PM on January 27, 2017 [16 favorites]
I've got some bad news for you, man.
posted by ryanshepard at 6:45 PM on January 27, 2017 [16 favorites]
The scene in Alien linked above. The last time I watched the film, I found myself not breathing by the end of that scene, even though I knew exactly what was coming.
So thank you Mr John Hurt for that, and all the other wonderful work you put out into the world during your fine career.
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posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 6:45 PM on January 27, 2017 [4 favorites]
So thank you Mr John Hurt for that, and all the other wonderful work you put out into the world during your fine career.
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posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 6:45 PM on January 27, 2017 [4 favorites]
Imagine an actor saying the following:
Imagine John Hurt saying the following.
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posted by neckro23 at 6:48 PM on January 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
Imagine John Hurt saying the following.
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posted by neckro23 at 6:48 PM on January 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
Speaking of his voice, he participated in the Art Of Noise album The Seduction Of Claude Debussy. He was wonderful in basically everything he did. He left a big mark on the planet with his presence, and he will be missed.
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posted by hippybear at 6:48 PM on January 27, 2017 [6 favorites]
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posted by hippybear at 6:48 PM on January 27, 2017 [6 favorites]
Aw, no. The first time I saw him was as Kane in Alien, which colored every other time I saw him after—he was always a hapless victim, torn apart by forces he could scarcely understand. And he portrayed that aspect so well, every time, even when he it was up to him to destroy an entire planet to save the entirety of time. I shall miss him greatly.
posted by ejs at 6:48 PM on January 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by ejs at 6:48 PM on January 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
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posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 6:49 PM on January 27, 2017
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 6:49 PM on January 27, 2017
My lady and I just watched 1984... like finished it a minute ago... wow
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posted by JoeXIII007 at 6:55 PM on January 27, 2017
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posted by JoeXIII007 at 6:55 PM on January 27, 2017
Kane: We've got this far. We must go on. We have to go on.
posted by valkane at 6:56 PM on January 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by valkane at 6:56 PM on January 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
His Winston Smith... but first and foremost as Quentin Crisp in The Naked Civil Servant.
Godammit.
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posted by allthinky at 6:57 PM on January 27, 2017 [9 favorites]
Godammit.
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posted by allthinky at 6:57 PM on January 27, 2017 [9 favorites]
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Aw, man. I also saw him for the first time as Caligula in I, Claudius. I was far too young to watch that series when I did, and his performance left quite the mark on my wee psyche. One of those actors you always knew you were going to enjoy watching, no matter what he did.
posted by lovecrafty at 7:00 PM on January 27, 2017 [10 favorites]
Aw, man. I also saw him for the first time as Caligula in I, Claudius. I was far too young to watch that series when I did, and his performance left quite the mark on my wee psyche. One of those actors you always knew you were going to enjoy watching, no matter what he did.
posted by lovecrafty at 7:00 PM on January 27, 2017 [10 favorites]
The scene in Alien linked above.
"All I could think of was John, frankly. I wasn't even thinking that we were making a movie."
posted by effbot at 7:00 PM on January 27, 2017 [6 favorites]
"All I could think of was John, frankly. I wasn't even thinking that we were making a movie."
posted by effbot at 7:00 PM on January 27, 2017 [6 favorites]
The best of the best. Almost as good as Sir Alec, in that no matter how many times you have seen him, in so many different, vastly opposed roles, and in spite of his physical appearance being identical throughout, it took much self-convincing that this was the same person, so fully they inhabited their characters to become someone else. You were never watching John Hurt.
Caligula, Merrick, Stamp's counterpart in The Hit -- every performance impeccable.
Godspeed, Sir John.
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:03 PM on January 27, 2017 [8 favorites]
Caligula, Merrick, Stamp's counterpart in The Hit -- every performance impeccable.
Godspeed, Sir John.
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:03 PM on January 27, 2017 [8 favorites]
If you've not seen The Proposition, you are in for a treat of another astonishing John Hurt performance.
Vale, Mr Hurt.
posted by crossoverman at 7:07 PM on January 27, 2017 [7 favorites]
Vale, Mr Hurt.
posted by crossoverman at 7:07 PM on January 27, 2017 [7 favorites]
One of my few brushes with celebrity. I was working at a retail Sony store when a woman asked for help with her MiniDisc player. This was 1996 or so, and they were fairly uncommon, so the task fell to me because I liked the esoteric tech. She was very nice and bought a bunch of stuff, but when I asked for her name and address (typical retail BS) she said she was only visiting from England. "Oh," I naively asked, "What brought you to Nova Scotia?" "My husband is shooting a movie here," she replied. And me, being dumb, asked if I'd know his name. "John Hurt," she replied, and my jaw dropped. "Tell him he's incredible," I replied, trying to be as nonchalant as possible.
That's all I got. But I did have a number of industry contacts, and I heard nothing but great reports about him so he treated the crew with respect. Really enjoyed his acting style.
posted by GhostintheMachine at 7:11 PM on January 27, 2017 [25 favorites]
That's all I got. But I did have a number of industry contacts, and I heard nothing but great reports about him so he treated the crew with respect. Really enjoyed his acting style.
posted by GhostintheMachine at 7:11 PM on January 27, 2017 [25 favorites]
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posted by Silverstone at 7:16 PM on January 27, 2017
posted by Silverstone at 7:16 PM on January 27, 2017
Stamp v. Hurt, in The Hit. Stamp's doing all the talking, but watch Hurt doing hardly anything at all.
It doesn't get better than this. It really doesn't.
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:19 PM on January 27, 2017 [3 favorites]
It doesn't get better than this. It really doesn't.
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:19 PM on January 27, 2017 [3 favorites]
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To me he'll always be The Storyteller.
posted by Faint of Butt at 7:23 PM on January 27, 2017 [11 favorites]
To me he'll always be The Storyteller.
posted by Faint of Butt at 7:23 PM on January 27, 2017 [11 favorites]
Man this sucks; loved him in a lot of things, but my introduction to him was Alien and I suspect that is what I will always think of first.
We need a chestbuster emoji
posted by nubs at 7:26 PM on January 27, 2017
We need a chestbuster emoji
posted by nubs at 7:26 PM on January 27, 2017
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Much like my beloved father, John Hurt had pancreatic cancer. I will make a donation to the Lustgarten Foundation, which funds research for pancreatic cancer. (I tithed to them for a few years due to my dad's cause of death.) If you have the means, I invite you to do the same.
posted by pxe2000 at 7:27 PM on January 27, 2017 [14 favorites]
Much like my beloved father, John Hurt had pancreatic cancer. I will make a donation to the Lustgarten Foundation, which funds research for pancreatic cancer. (I tithed to them for a few years due to my dad's cause of death.) If you have the means, I invite you to do the same.
posted by pxe2000 at 7:27 PM on January 27, 2017 [14 favorites]
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He was even one of the best parts of that Indiana Jones movie that didn't actually happen.
posted by valkane at 7:30 PM on January 27, 2017 [3 favorites]
He was even one of the best parts of that Indiana Jones movie that didn't actually happen.
posted by valkane at 7:30 PM on January 27, 2017 [3 favorites]
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I first saw him in Alien, and always enjoyed him in his other roles. I'm very sorry to hear of his death.
posted by thedarksideofprocyon at 7:35 PM on January 27, 2017
I first saw him in Alien, and always enjoyed him in his other roles. I'm very sorry to hear of his death.
posted by thedarksideofprocyon at 7:35 PM on January 27, 2017
No!
Not only an amazing actor, but one with an incredibly varied role set. Winston Smith, yes, Caligula, sure, the Storyteller, Hazel... even the narrator of the frickin' Tigger Movie, and yes, he was great at it.
Oh, god, no. We will not see his like again.
posted by Rush-That-Speaks at 7:36 PM on January 27, 2017
Not only an amazing actor, but one with an incredibly varied role set. Winston Smith, yes, Caligula, sure, the Storyteller, Hazel... even the narrator of the frickin' Tigger Movie, and yes, he was great at it.
Oh, god, no. We will not see his like again.
posted by Rush-That-Speaks at 7:36 PM on January 27, 2017
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posted by the sobsister at 7:43 PM on January 27, 2017
posted by the sobsister at 7:43 PM on January 27, 2017
He had one of the greatest faces in cinema and television. I always felt a little closer to understanding what it was to be human when watching his face in one of his roles such as Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment.
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posted by drnick at 7:44 PM on January 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
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posted by drnick at 7:44 PM on January 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
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posted by Room 641-A at 7:45 PM on January 27, 2017
posted by Room 641-A at 7:45 PM on January 27, 2017
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posted by jim in austin at 7:49 PM on January 27, 2017
posted by jim in austin at 7:49 PM on January 27, 2017
Also amazing as Control in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Broom in Hellboy. His gravelly voice was as distinctive as his face. Godspeed good sir.
posted by Existential Dread at 7:50 PM on January 27, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Existential Dread at 7:50 PM on January 27, 2017 [7 favorites]
When they needed someone to seem not quite human for the camera... yet he was human IRL.
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posted by Bringer Tom at 7:56 PM on January 27, 2017
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posted by Bringer Tom at 7:56 PM on January 27, 2017
Because I just found out my husband had never seen it, we are watching 1984 in honor of Hurt and...you know, all the other fucked up bullshit.
(But we best enjoyed watching the "Hello My Baby" bit from Spaceballs.)
posted by Lyn Never at 8:18 PM on January 27, 2017 [7 favorites]
(But we best enjoyed watching the "Hello My Baby" bit from Spaceballs.)
posted by Lyn Never at 8:18 PM on January 27, 2017 [7 favorites]
I always loved this portrait of him by Christopher Anderson.
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posted by chris24 at 8:24 PM on January 27, 2017 [4 favorites]
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posted by chris24 at 8:24 PM on January 27, 2017 [4 favorites]
I've always liked Love and Death on Long Island and All the Little Animals in the category of obscure John Hurt films.
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posted by dannyboybell at 8:27 PM on January 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
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posted by dannyboybell at 8:27 PM on January 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
The flashback scene between Control and Jim Prideaux in the Tinker, Tailor remake is one of my favorites in recent cinema. It's just this tiny perfect thing.
posted by praemunire at 9:00 PM on January 27, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by praemunire at 9:00 PM on January 27, 2017 [4 favorites]
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posted by lalochezia at 9:13 PM on January 27, 2017
posted by lalochezia at 9:13 PM on January 27, 2017
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The Hit is just an incredibly good movie.
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:13 PM on January 27, 2017 [4 favorites]
The Hit is just an incredibly good movie.
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:13 PM on January 27, 2017 [4 favorites]
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posted by Radiophonic Oddity at 9:18 PM on January 27, 2017
posted by Radiophonic Oddity at 9:18 PM on January 27, 2017
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posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 9:19 PM on January 27, 2017
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 9:19 PM on January 27, 2017
Seconding Love and Death on Long Island. For a small movie with a small plot, it has a lot to say about modern media and culture--and what constitutes a fan, let alone what constitutes art. And Hurt is magnificent in it.
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posted by tzikeh at 9:21 PM on January 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
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posted by tzikeh at 9:21 PM on January 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
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posted by Halloween Jack at 9:35 PM on January 27, 2017
posted by Halloween Jack at 9:35 PM on January 27, 2017
He was also the narrator on The art of noise's The Seduction of Claude Debussy. The album is one of those things that shouldn't (and often doesn't) work, it being an overwrought, pretentious (though very sincere) synthesis of Debussy samples and well crafted late 90's electronic music, but Hurt's gravelly, hypnotic rasp gives it nearly enough gravitas to succeed on its ill-advised but heartfelt mission.
posted by Jon Mitchell at 9:35 PM on January 27, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Jon Mitchell at 9:35 PM on January 27, 2017 [3 favorites]
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posted by pernoctalian at 9:36 PM on January 27, 2017
posted by pernoctalian at 9:36 PM on January 27, 2017
Alien was probably my first sight of him, but I also saw Midnight Express when I was about 12 or so, indelibly.
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posted by rhizome at 10:12 PM on January 27, 2017
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posted by rhizome at 10:12 PM on January 27, 2017
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posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape at 10:16 PM on January 27, 2017
posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape at 10:16 PM on January 27, 2017
First rule of government spending: why build one when you can have two at twice the price?
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posted by Rhomboid at 10:17 PM on January 27, 2017 [4 favorites]
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posted by Rhomboid at 10:17 PM on January 27, 2017 [4 favorites]
Spoiler for the film Alien below, because younger Mefites might not have seen it.
It's unfortunate that his most famous scene is from Alien. The truth is that his character didn't do much (not quite a bit part) and was the first to die.
If you really want to see Hurt chew up dialogue, I highly recommend Rob Roy. Except for one triggering scene that was gratuitous, it's a fantastic adventure movie with great characters, great dialogue, great action scenes, great cinematography, and one of the most satisfying endings I have ever seen. It's ridiculous that the noticeably inferior Braveheart upstaged it, but they both came out the same year, and Mel Gibson was a bigger star than Liam Neeson, so the Academy favored the moneymaker. Hurt did not receive a supporting Oscar nod for his performance, which was probably one of his best chances to do so. His role in the film is the rarest kind for character actors who simply don't have as many opportunities to strut their stuff.
posted by Beholder at 10:37 PM on January 27, 2017 [4 favorites]
It's unfortunate that his most famous scene is from Alien. The truth is that his character didn't do much (not quite a bit part) and was the first to die.
If you really want to see Hurt chew up dialogue, I highly recommend Rob Roy. Except for one triggering scene that was gratuitous, it's a fantastic adventure movie with great characters, great dialogue, great action scenes, great cinematography, and one of the most satisfying endings I have ever seen. It's ridiculous that the noticeably inferior Braveheart upstaged it, but they both came out the same year, and Mel Gibson was a bigger star than Liam Neeson, so the Academy favored the moneymaker. Hurt did not receive a supporting Oscar nod for his performance, which was probably one of his best chances to do so. His role in the film is the rarest kind for character actors who simply don't have as many opportunities to strut their stuff.
posted by Beholder at 10:37 PM on January 27, 2017 [4 favorites]
He wasn't even that old! :( •
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 11:08 PM on January 27, 2017
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 11:08 PM on January 27, 2017
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posted by faceplantingcheetah at 11:38 PM on January 27, 2017
posted by faceplantingcheetah at 11:38 PM on January 27, 2017
Someone observed today with admirable gallows humour that he was such a method actor that he died in a dystopia because of something malevolent growing inside him.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 11:48 PM on January 27, 2017 [31 favorites]
posted by ricochet biscuit at 11:48 PM on January 27, 2017 [31 favorites]
Oh, and I left out that Rob Roy also has an amazing soundtrack, and for those who look for a strong female character, yep, has that too. Tough as nails.
posted by Beholder at 12:06 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Beholder at 12:06 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Oh no.
posted by ZipRibbons at 12:20 AM on January 28, 2017
posted by ZipRibbons at 12:20 AM on January 28, 2017
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posted by mikelieman at 1:58 AM on January 28, 2017
posted by mikelieman at 1:58 AM on January 28, 2017
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posted by thegirlwiththehat at 2:09 AM on January 28, 2017
posted by thegirlwiththehat at 2:09 AM on January 28, 2017
Just a force of nature - I certainly single out Jerzy Skolimowski's The Shout for Hurt at his raw best; just a fabulous movie anyway, with a superlative, like-minded ensemble (Alan Bates, Robert Stephens, Tim Curry).
posted by specialbrew at 2:11 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by specialbrew at 2:11 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
For me it was Midnight Express. Loved him every time since.
posted by not_that_epiphanius at 2:32 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by not_that_epiphanius at 2:32 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
To my eyes he had, even when he was still relatively young, the look of a man who had barely survived some terrible ordeal... he seemed an old soul even then.
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posted by misteraitch at 2:37 AM on January 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
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posted by misteraitch at 2:37 AM on January 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
He came up in conversation with my 10 year old just last night, because she loved him so much as Olivander and especially as the War Doctor. His episodes are some of the best work New Who has done. He's been brilliant for decades, but this is a loss that will hit the young geeks, too.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 2:45 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Pater Aletheias at 2:45 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
About 30 years ago my sister was nanny for a (then) up and coming actress in London.
In the three or so years that she had the job she met a lot of actors, and ended up making coffee or meals for the likes of Laurence Olivier, Alec Guinness, Glenda Jackson, and (of course) John Hurt. She's always said that they were great company and seemed like genuinely good people.
posted by 43rdAnd9th at 3:40 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
In the three or so years that she had the job she met a lot of actors, and ended up making coffee or meals for the likes of Laurence Olivier, Alec Guinness, Glenda Jackson, and (of course) John Hurt. She's always said that they were great company and seemed like genuinely good people.
posted by 43rdAnd9th at 3:40 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Damn!
Not a dud performance in his career.
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posted by Fuchsoid at 3:42 AM on January 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
Not a dud performance in his career.
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posted by Fuchsoid at 3:42 AM on January 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
John Hurt was one of those actors who I loved in everything that he did. Even if the movie was shit, he wasn't. I'm going to miss his face.
posted by h00py at 4:53 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by h00py at 4:53 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
I love that John has his own youtube channel, and one of the videos is clips of his many film deaths. One video lead to another and I found myself watching The Naked Civil Servant - what a film. John is fantastic in it.
Loved him as The war Doctor- the kind of man I would like to adopt as a grandfather.
Rest in peace, John- I hope death is like you imagined it so many times.
posted by freethefeet at 5:05 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Loved him as The war Doctor- the kind of man I would like to adopt as a grandfather.
Rest in peace, John- I hope death is like you imagined it so many times.
posted by freethefeet at 5:05 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
can I also say, lovely obit, AM, thanks for the links.
posted by freethefeet at 5:07 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by freethefeet at 5:07 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'll just put in here that while Nineteen Eighty-Four may not have been the first time I saw John Hurt, it was definitely the first time I noticed him. I was a teenager and had just read the book when I saw the movie, and I was astounded at how much Hurt fit my mental picture of Winston Smith.
And then there were so many other films. As mentioned above, The Hit is superb, and features among its other pleasures a very baby faced Tim Roth. And as or the War Doctor, I can honestly say that one of the biggest laughs I have ever had was Eleven yelling "Geronimo!" then Ten yelling "Allonsy!" and finally John fucking Hurt muttering "Oh, for God's sake!"
God, I will miss that man.
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 5:19 AM on January 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
And then there were so many other films. As mentioned above, The Hit is superb, and features among its other pleasures a very baby faced Tim Roth. And as or the War Doctor, I can honestly say that one of the biggest laughs I have ever had was Eleven yelling "Geronimo!" then Ten yelling "Allonsy!" and finally John fucking Hurt muttering "Oh, for God's sake!"
God, I will miss that man.
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 5:19 AM on January 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
He was so great in so many things, and I feel lucky that this thread is giving me more of his work to check out.
If you are into his work as the War Doctor, he did some Big Finish audio dramas featuring that character:
https://www.bigfinish.com/ranges/v/doctor-who---the-collected-war-doctor
(I find it delightful that he seemed very game to work on those.)
And an adaptation of the Invisible Man as well.
https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/the-invisible-man-1598
They are a bit on the expensive side, but they are very high quality.
posted by He Is Only The Imposter at 5:32 AM on January 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
If you are into his work as the War Doctor, he did some Big Finish audio dramas featuring that character:
https://www.bigfinish.com/ranges/v/doctor-who---the-collected-war-doctor
(I find it delightful that he seemed very game to work on those.)
And an adaptation of the Invisible Man as well.
https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/the-invisible-man-1598
They are a bit on the expensive side, but they are very high quality.
posted by He Is Only The Imposter at 5:32 AM on January 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
The man who played Winston Smith dying right now seems a bit on the nose, don't you think?
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posted by Pope Guilty at 5:44 AM on January 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
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posted by Pope Guilty at 5:44 AM on January 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
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posted by Flippervault at 6:11 AM on January 28, 2017
posted by Flippervault at 6:11 AM on January 28, 2017
And as or the War Doctor, I can honestly say that one of the biggest laughs I have ever had was Eleven yelling "Geronimo!" then Ten yelling "Allonsy!" and finally John fucking Hurt muttering "Oh, for God's sake!"
I tried to find it last night; there was an interview I saw with David Tennant where at one point he talked about working with John Hurt; he said that he and Matt Smith were pretty much gobsmacked fanboys the whole time. Between scenes or backstage, if he was talking about "the old days," they would just sit at his feet awestruck and listen.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:15 AM on January 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
I tried to find it last night; there was an interview I saw with David Tennant where at one point he talked about working with John Hurt; he said that he and Matt Smith were pretty much gobsmacked fanboys the whole time. Between scenes or backstage, if he was talking about "the old days," they would just sit at his feet awestruck and listen.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:15 AM on January 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
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posted by Bringer Tom at 6:26 AM on January 28, 2017
posted by Bringer Tom at 6:26 AM on January 28, 2017
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I liked him every time I saw him. He could be dangerous or generous, tightly controlled or completely unhinged, perfectly ordinary or sui generis.
In some ways, his character's fate in Love and Death on Long Island is more terrible than in Alien. Both had their heart ripped out, but for one, it took longer and he had to live with the pain afterward.
This scene from Rob Roy is amazing in all kinds of ways - not least for Tim Roth's performance as a snake who can duel with a sword - but Hurt's lofty skewering of his fellow nobleman is worth listening to.
posted by Caxton1476 at 6:49 AM on January 28, 2017
I liked him every time I saw him. He could be dangerous or generous, tightly controlled or completely unhinged, perfectly ordinary or sui generis.
In some ways, his character's fate in Love and Death on Long Island is more terrible than in Alien. Both had their heart ripped out, but for one, it took longer and he had to live with the pain afterward.
This scene from Rob Roy is amazing in all kinds of ways - not least for Tim Roth's performance as a snake who can duel with a sword - but Hurt's lofty skewering of his fellow nobleman is worth listening to.
posted by Caxton1476 at 6:49 AM on January 28, 2017
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I hadn't realized Altered States was his first movie. Maybe that's why he looked so haunted forever after.
posted by Flannery Culp at 6:52 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
I hadn't realized Altered States was his first movie. Maybe that's why he looked so haunted forever after.
posted by Flannery Culp at 6:52 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
For 2 great early supporting roles, check him out in A Man For All Seasons and 10 Rillington Place.
posted by gudrun at 7:01 AM on January 28, 2017
posted by gudrun at 7:01 AM on January 28, 2017
Oh good god, someone delete that, apparently when half asleep I can't tell the difference between John Hurt and William Hurt. Carry on.
posted by Flannery Culp at 7:26 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Flannery Culp at 7:26 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Aside from all his famous roles, I really really loved him as Professor Broom in Hellboy. He was absolutely perfect.
posted by Kitteh at 8:15 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Kitteh at 8:15 AM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Oh good god, someone delete that, apparently when half asleep I can't tell the difference between John Hurt and William Hurt. Carry on.
I was gonna say. I haven't seen Altered States in years but I was struggling to recall John Hurt in it.
While Hurt's death is a great loss, I take some small comfort that at least he predeceased American character actor John Heard: if Heard had died first, we would see a lot of inattentive appreciations of Alien and Rob Roy on social media. I suspect that the eventual demise of either Keith David or David Keith will also produce a similar flood of well-meaning but mistaken reminiscing.
There are very few celebrities I can pinpoint to the day when I first became aware of them. In 1980 I went to see a double bill of two animated films. Walking down toward the Centre Twin Cinemas, I passed the Avon cinema where the marquee mentioned John Hurt in The Elephant Man (I remarked on the unusual surname). My double bill was Watership Down (with Hazel voiced by John Hurt) and The Lord of the Rings (with Aragorn voiced by same).
And I must admit that I was surprised to learn that Hurt had been knighted. Not that he did not richly deserve it, but I don't think I have ever once heard the phrase "Sir John Hurt."
posted by ricochet biscuit at 8:28 AM on January 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
I was gonna say. I haven't seen Altered States in years but I was struggling to recall John Hurt in it.
While Hurt's death is a great loss, I take some small comfort that at least he predeceased American character actor John Heard: if Heard had died first, we would see a lot of inattentive appreciations of Alien and Rob Roy on social media. I suspect that the eventual demise of either Keith David or David Keith will also produce a similar flood of well-meaning but mistaken reminiscing.
There are very few celebrities I can pinpoint to the day when I first became aware of them. In 1980 I went to see a double bill of two animated films. Walking down toward the Centre Twin Cinemas, I passed the Avon cinema where the marquee mentioned John Hurt in The Elephant Man (I remarked on the unusual surname). My double bill was Watership Down (with Hazel voiced by John Hurt) and The Lord of the Rings (with Aragorn voiced by same).
And I must admit that I was surprised to learn that Hurt had been knighted. Not that he did not richly deserve it, but I don't think I have ever once heard the phrase "Sir John Hurt."
posted by ricochet biscuit at 8:28 AM on January 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
“The story we have been a part of will live long in the minds of man.”
posted by Fizz at 9:14 AM on January 28, 2017
posted by Fizz at 9:14 AM on January 28, 2017
This scene from Rob Roy is amazing in all kinds of ways - not least for Tim Roth's performance as a snake who can duel with a sword - but Hurt's lofty skewering of his fellow nobleman is worth listening to.
It's not a spoiler scene, but it is critically important, and I highly recommend not watching it unless you have already seen the film. FWIW, there's a Blu Ray version on Amazon for ten bucks.
posted by Beholder at 9:14 AM on January 28, 2017
It's not a spoiler scene, but it is critically important, and I highly recommend not watching it unless you have already seen the film. FWIW, there's a Blu Ray version on Amazon for ten bucks.
posted by Beholder at 9:14 AM on January 28, 2017
I went to see a talk by the broadcaster Andy Kershaw last Thursday. He told the story of co-hosting Live Aid's chaotic TV broadcast back in 1985, when guest after guest was wheeled into his little on-site studio for a quick interview to fill in time between the bands on stage.
Kershaw was not a film or theatre fan so, when John Hurt appeared on the sofa next to him, he had no idea who this distinguished-looking chap was or what he did for a living. They were live on air, though, so he asked a generic question and sat back gratefully while Hurt talked non-stop till their little segment was over.
Years later, the two men met at a BBC party, where Hurt confirmed that he'd realised Kershaw was floundering and decided he's better save this baffled young fellow from making a complete fool of himself on global TV. "So he interviewed himself," Kershaw said on Thursday night. "What a nice man. What a nice man!"
posted by Paul Slade at 11:05 AM on January 28, 2017 [11 favorites]
Kershaw was not a film or theatre fan so, when John Hurt appeared on the sofa next to him, he had no idea who this distinguished-looking chap was or what he did for a living. They were live on air, though, so he asked a generic question and sat back gratefully while Hurt talked non-stop till their little segment was over.
Years later, the two men met at a BBC party, where Hurt confirmed that he'd realised Kershaw was floundering and decided he's better save this baffled young fellow from making a complete fool of himself on global TV. "So he interviewed himself," Kershaw said on Thursday night. "What a nice man. What a nice man!"
posted by Paul Slade at 11:05 AM on January 28, 2017 [11 favorites]
Oh, crap. His portrayal as the Fool in King Lear was the best I've ever seen. Sad, dignified, cutting; just spot on perfect. He was a fine actor and will be so missed. How lucky we have so much of his work to watch.
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posted by but no cigar at 11:43 AM on January 28, 2017
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posted by but no cigar at 11:43 AM on January 28, 2017
I was so saddened when first I heard this. And, too, he seemed too young -- ah, but then I have learned that’s a goal post thst moves farther the longer one lives. But certainly if anyone deserved to live longer, he was good for a century plus.
And I must mention him as Quentin Crisp in the Naked Civil Servant -- oh, the humanity!
What a delight he was.
posted by y2karl at 1:23 PM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
I always felt a little closer to understanding what it was to be human when watching his face in one of his roles such as Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment.I came here, in part, to mention Raskolnikov's confession in that: where it was as if his face furrowed and wrinkled in layer after layer of every variety of anguish, guilt, regret, pain and sorrow until it looked like a carved mask of a soul in hellfire. What a scene that was.
And I must mention him as Quentin Crisp in the Naked Civil Servant -- oh, the humanity!
What a delight he was.
posted by y2karl at 1:23 PM on January 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
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posted by Ignorantsavage at 3:08 PM on January 28, 2017
posted by Ignorantsavage at 3:08 PM on January 28, 2017
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TY mikelieman. Mr Mitt and I are on holiday abroad and were dismayed that locals here scratched their heads at Hurt's name. Thank you for being our place to find solace.
I also came in hoping to see that tiny bit of levity. I was completely unfamiliar with Alien when I saw Spaceballs. At ten. Which we all know is too young to comprehend Brooks. But I did know Michigan J. Frog and would always giggle in blissful ignorance of the actual parody.
posted by ovenmitt at 4:27 PM on January 28, 2017
TY mikelieman. Mr Mitt and I are on holiday abroad and were dismayed that locals here scratched their heads at Hurt's name. Thank you for being our place to find solace.
I also came in hoping to see that tiny bit of levity. I was completely unfamiliar with Alien when I saw Spaceballs. At ten. Which we all know is too young to comprehend Brooks. But I did know Michigan J. Frog and would always giggle in blissful ignorance of the actual parody.
posted by ovenmitt at 4:27 PM on January 28, 2017
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posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 5:45 PM on January 28, 2017
posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 5:45 PM on January 28, 2017
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posted by Token Meme at 5:49 PM on January 28, 2017
posted by Token Meme at 5:49 PM on January 28, 2017
I am happy for him that he is no longer in pain. I am sad for us, because we will not see him again.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 9:55 PM on January 28, 2017
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 9:55 PM on January 28, 2017
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posted by Joey Michaels at 2:41 AM on January 29, 2017
posted by Joey Michaels at 2:41 AM on January 29, 2017
Also unforgettable, perfectly cast as the alcoholic fraternity brother in Heaven's Gate.
posted by mmiddle at 8:45 AM on January 29, 2017
posted by mmiddle at 8:45 AM on January 29, 2017
I have coincidentally just finished watching The Last Panthers. He is a superbly gruff and unprincipled boss. Bonus - Blackstar is the title song.
posted by unliteral at 6:58 PM on January 29, 2017
posted by unliteral at 6:58 PM on January 29, 2017
John Hurt reading the last paragraph of 1984
posted by beesbees at 8:55 AM on January 30, 2017
"He gazed up at the enormous face. Forty years it had taken him to learn what kind of smile was hidden beneath the dark moustache. O cruel, needless misunderstanding! O stubborn, self-willed exile from the loving breast! Two gin-scented tears trickled down the sides of his nose. But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother.".
posted by beesbees at 8:55 AM on January 30, 2017
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