Paul Scofield

His passing was announced this morning, and since he will probably be best remembered as Thomas More in A Man For All Seasons, this seems the best place to mark it on the discussion board.

A magnificent actor and human being, sort of the gold standard for the theatrical profession. A long life filled with the rewards of family and great work. Rest in peace.

Simon

I completely agree Simon. At the moment I can't think of another actor fit to walk in this man's shadow, much less fill his shoes.

That seems to be the sentiments of all who worked with him.  He was genuinely loved. Did you see him in Henry V --- just a great, great performance, so understated and yet when he was onscreen he was the the only one you watched. I have friends who saw him live. I would have given a lot for that.

Yes, I agree he was a wonderful Actor with such a presence!  I would love to have seen him  on stage.....the last thing I saw him in was The Crucible however  A Man for All Seasons is my favorite. I have not seen  Henry V yet but will.  Is Henry V your favorite of his performances?

Oh, no. Although I did love it. I thought A Man for All Seasons was the best, but he was terrific in a thriller right around the same time. It was called The Train, and he played a Nazi commander attempting to get a train full of looted artwork out of occupied France during the final days, with Burt Lancaster trying to stop him (if memory serves), and he was also wonderful in a filmed version of A Delicate Balance with Katharine Hepburn and Lee Remick.

Simon

Oh yes, I had forgotten "The Train". It is on the TV almost as regularly as Wizard of Oz and The Sound of Mucus and I always try to catch it. Apparently his "King Lear" was an absolute Tour de Force as well.
(Simon, can I have one of your tee shirts too :-)) ).

Kim ---

I am cracking up at your quote at the bottom of the post! And yes! to King Lear.

Simon

Simon I ADORE the divine Bette, her quips are almost on a par with Dorothy Parker!

That seems to be the sentiments of all who worked with him.  He was genuinely loved. Did you see him in Henry V --- just a great, great performance, so understated and yet when he was onscreen he was the the only one you watched. I have friends who saw him live. I would have given a lot for that.

I first saw A Man for All Seasons in my teens, Henry V maybe 15 years after that, and have watched AMFAS several times since becoming a proud owner of the DVD a year ago. I have no recollection of Mr. Scofield in Henry V at all so you have piqued my curiosity! To this day everyone in my household stops dead in their tracks, my 11 yr old son included, when More's trial is onscreen. It is that mesmerizing. All the more amazing when you stack this film up against today's moneymakers, and what passes for Oscar-nominated performances.

I'd have sold my father-in-law to watch Mr. Scofield take a phone call, God knows what I'd have done to watch him onstage!

I have no idea how old you are, Puppylove (I was in my teens when AMFAS was in theatrical release), so on the off chance that I haven't been clear, Scofield is in the Branagh Henry V (1989, available on DVD quite cheaply, I think), not the 1944 Olivier version (also available, but expensive).  Scofield plays the King of France. I did the same role a few years ago, then watched his performance again and was instantly demoralized.

I have no idea how old you are, Puppylove (I was in my teens when AMFAS was in theatrical release), so on the off chance that I haven't been clear, Scofield is in the Branagh Henry V (1989, available on DVD quite cheaply, I think), not the 1944 Olivier version (also available, but expensive).  Scofield plays the King of France. I did the same role a few years ago, then watched his performance again and was instantly demoralized.

I'm right behind you then; I saw it on television in the mid or late 70s, I think. I'm also referring to Branagh's Henry V, which is in my other son's possession at the moment or I'd be looking up Scofield's performance as we speak. No need for demoralization; just commit a few of the King's lines to a Youtube video and the forum can compare; we're very objective here you know!