Sir Ralph Richardson

Sir Ralph's Desert Island Disc (1983)

Sir Ralph reciting the works of William Blake.

Home by David Store starring Sir Ralph and Sir John

no one has any comments about Sir Ralph?

I do, R4. Richardson delivers a stunning performance in the 1960 film "Oscar Wilde" as Sir Edward Carson, the barrister who destroyed Wilde on the witness stand during the libel trial. Carson, as played by Richardson, doesn't have to say that he has nothing personally against Wilde; of course he doesn't. He's ripping him apart simply as a demonstration of intellectual prowess. His eyes glitter with joy. When he's done with his cross-examination and Wilde's life is effectively over, Richardson stretches out like a contented lion. It's riveting.

David *Storey*

Good play.

R5 Oooh. Looking this movie up now and it has an excellent cast- Richardson, Phyllis Calvert, John Neville, Alexander Knox, and Dennis Price.

However, Robert Morley as Oscar Wilde?! Is he good?! I picture Morley as an overweight justice or lawyer, not the man on trial.

He played God in Time Bandits.

R7, Wilde was rather puffy and dissolute by the time if the trials, so his appearance works in that way. It’s a pretty grim little film overall, and particularly unflattering to Bosie, who honestly was no good.

R8 Time Bandits was a hoot! Richardson does have the voice of God.

R9 I will definitely have to watch.

Supposedly he was once appearing in a modern play and one night he dropped character and walked to the front of the stage and said 'Is there a doctor in the house?'. A man stood up and he said, 'Ah Doctor, isn't this play terrible?', and then went back into character and carried on.

[quote] Yet theatre was where he shines- from Shakespeare to Sheridan to Ibsen to Wilde, Richardson was an immensely talented man who I have always admired. Now, let's give him the respect and appreciation he deserves.

For theater productions none of us have seen?

While we're at it, let's also give Junius Booth and Sarah Siddons the respect and admiration they deserve.

R12 okay smartass. There are clips and recordings of Richardson reciting or performing the aforementioned works, so calm down.

I read the only Richardson biography.

And there was lots untold. The story of the brogues; his alleged passion for Margaret; his sole effort at film direction; the ignominy of being sacked via telegram; Meriel; his time in the tropics; his Othello; his sole film in La-La Land; his politics; his taking over from the sick Donat; his illness; his dubbing.

R14, I googled and found 2 -- one by John Miller and one by Garry O'Connor. Which did you read?

R15 O'Connor.

Thanks, R16. They're both available from the Link+ service at my library so I'll order them. I've only seen him in a few movies but have loved him in all of them.

Patrick Stewart and Dick Cavett discuss Sir Ralph

The Heiress is the film where I "got" Ralph Richardson.....

I love his Oscar nominated performance in THE HEIRESS. His scene with Montgomery Clift’s sister is the best in the film, a master class in acting: “Gloves of the finest chamois!”

We must not forget The Fallen Idol