I know this post should most likely be placed on the Harry Potter Actor's in other films thread... but there is a twist to it.
OK.... I'm going to share something that I have often thought of throughout the many years of my obsession of the Harry Potter films. I've never posted this before anywhere.... so... please don't think I"m too strange to hang around after you read this:
I've often thought that it was so strange that ever since I was a little kid watching a movie, there would be a certain actor or actress that would stand out in my mind... despite the character they played in that particular film... They would stick out in my mind above the rest... I'd have them stuck in my thoughts litterally for days after seeing them for the first time. My question is WHY?
There was something more to this than just the fact I noticed good acting, because of course they would be beside other good actors in those films and those other ones never stuck there for me like these:
ok.... back up a bit..
When I was about ten years old,
Maggie Smith stood out in my mind when I watched her on screen in the film "Clash of the Titains." She played a Greek Goddess who was angry at what became of her mortal son.. I never could get over her angry speech when she caused the ground to quake. See, the GIANT Statue of herself in her temple... her head broke off and fell to the ground before what was supposed to be HER followers. They mocked her and so she cursed them. I know as I was a ten year old at that time, that scene was amazing in those days. She scared me to death to see a statue talk like that... and she was soooo angry. I did shake. So... Maggie Smith was an actress I never could forget from that day forward.
Then a few years later I watched on HBO a film called "Rasputin."
Alan Rickman did such a superb job playing that character that I had to watch it every time it was being aired on that channel. I was mesmerized. THen a few years later I could not place who this guy was on "Die Hard" to the point it bugged me. But there he was again as the Sherriff of Nottingham in "Robin Hood." OH I knew him straight off and again was mesmerized by his performance. I became a true fan of this guy. Who cares about Costner? LOL! Alan stole the show and became one of my favorite actors of all time. It took many years later for me to see the first HP film but knew him right off. And again, his performance of Snape caused me to actually begin reading the books in the first place. Yep... it was Snape and his portrayal of him that inspired me to read the books.
HBO also gave me exposure to other great actors/actresses.
Richard Harris.. Yes, I've seen him in many films before.. but it was his portrayal of the stage version of "Camelot" when he finally caught my eye. I had to tune in every time I found out HBO was showing this play... I love to sing with all of them... and out of all of those who played in that stage performance, he was the only one who was memorable to me from that day forward. Yes... another brilliant actor who stuck in my mind forever.
Gary Oldman... OH I will NEVER forget the first time I ever saw a film with him in it. "Braum Stokers Dracula" by Francis Ford Copula (sp?) I had to go to see this film alone in theaters when it was first released. See, I"m the only one in my family who loves vampire stories. His portrayal was spectacular. He gave me goose bumps he's that good. However, years later, I was quite surprised to see they cast him to play Sirius Black. He just didn't seem like the right person to play him from my own image of this character from reading JKR's books. After the film came out, I think he did him justice. I know many people disagree with me... but then as they always say... "beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
For a while there, I'll have to say that I was obsessed with
Jason Isaacs. HE played Colonel Tavington in the film called "The Patriot." I watched my DVD of that to the point that I need to buy a new one. I wore out my copy. He simply gave me chills and another like Alan Rickman became one of my top favorite actors ever.
David Thewlis.... I will always admit that I am a HUGE Sean Connery fan, but when I saw "Dragon Heart," I say David's performance of this truly ruthless and evil prince blew me away. Very memorable for me. It was not for years later, after I discovered Jason Isaacs, that I had to dig out my copy to take another look to note he also played in this film.
John Hurt. Back in the early 80's, I was obsessed with any sort of gory movies. HE stood out in my mind as the guy who gave birth to the first Alien in the film by that same name. This was another one of those films I had to watch every time it was aired on HBO. However, for the record, I like him best as our beloved Ollivander.
I could go on with my list for here... but I'm going to stop. My point in posting this post HERE.... It's the connection of it all for me that makes me wonder... Hmmm? Why did THESE particular actors stick out in my mind over the rest of the main actors, or even larger, better known actors in those films did NOT? Why did these stick in my mind? Maybe it was a coincidence that the makers of the HP films chose every well known European actor they could to invite to be part of this franchise? Or were there something more to it?
Naaaaa.... ;D
I will admit, that I have met people in my dreams years before I have ever met them in real life.
