John Hurt Snuffs It At 77

[A Theist]

Yup. He was in Hellboy, too. That was a pretty decent movie. I liked it.

I was surprised that he was "only" 77. I had him down as being much older.

I was just thinking that, myself.

[Crossless2.0]

He always seemed much older to me than his actual age, even when he was a relatively young man. Midnight Express came out in -- what? -- '77 or so? Hurt would have been in his late thirties at the time but his character seemed much older -- no doubt his playing an addict had something to do with that, but still . . . .

[vorlon13]

[Regina]

That thread title though, what a way to word it lmao

RIP

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

No offense meant, it's a phrase I grew up with.

Boru

[vorlon13]

1984, 6079 Smith was such an intense role, probably where I thought he really maximally showed his acting chops.

Too bad the movie is such a grim watch, I don't think very many people saw it. Also, Richard Burton's last movie.


Do it to Julia !! Do it to her !!!

[abaris]

Too bad the movie is such a grim watch, I don't think very many people saw it.  Also, Richard Burton's last movie.

I saw it several times. I'm curious though how it's presentation would be today. Now that it's more or less a reality. Perhaps like Enemy of the State.

[Cyberman]

The first of the Nostromo crew to die, and now the first of the non-alien, -cat and -computer cast. Shades of Final Destination?



RIP, War Doctor.

[vorlon13]

The grim set pieces and area 1984 was shot in have no parallel today in US or Britain.

(true movie fact: Vietnam scenes of Full Metal Jacket were shot in same area!)

Also, 1984 came out as HIV was ramping up. For me that movie will always have a strong metaphorical correlation with that, particularly in regards to the (obvious) association with the Reagan administration.

Additionally, 1984 was shot before much in the way of CGI existed, so the attenuated color palette of the finished film had to be done chemically to the actual film. Nowadays, the color balance/saturation of movies is just a matter of editorial decision and then twiddling some knobs, back then, it was quite a project to do that consistently to an entire movie as scenes were shot on various sets and outdoors under varying lighting conditions.

It is a profound film, an excellent adaptation of a great book, and it was shot and composed with great care and attention. However, it is just so fucking grim and awful in it's impact.


And as I noted, for me, the movie is firmly lodged in the mid 80s timeframe for me, I couldn't make much of an association with it and anything happening now. It's just how and when I first experienced it that made it that way for me.

YMMV

[vorlon13]

Another 1984 item:

look carefully when Smith is in the cafeteria for the dent in his food pan.  Someone had to think to do that to the prop, and then the scene had to be shot such that the dent was visible, but not highlighted obviously.  Everything in Oceania is damaged, corrupt, ruined, even the food pans.

And then the food . . . . .


"Favorite" isn't the right word, but John Hurt was just so amazingly appropriate for that role, it remains IMO, his best work as an actor.