Exceptional UK actors

[Pervert]

Interested to see who you guys rate. I'm talking about the sort of people who, no matter how bad the film, stand out.

My first nomination: Sir Ian Holm.

An earlier thread talked about how often Christopher Walken steals films from their stars, and that's true. But this guy does so too, in a quieter, less obvious way (and without keeping a watch up his ass for years).

Best performance? He's played Napoleon at least four times, and provided the one guaranteed "jump from your seat" moment in Fellowship Of The Ring. But for sheer class, best seen in the BBC series from the 1970s The Lost Boys, playing J. M. Barrie (the real story, not the enjoyable tosh portrayed in Finding Neverland).

Even when totally miscast (Bernard Samson in the Game, Set And Match trilogy shown on ITV), he convinces. Having him in your film or TV drama ensures some gravitas, and a touch of class.

Brown-nosing over---let's hear from the rest of you.

[Deano!]

Back when he was just 'Ian' in 1973, he was in a movie adaptation of Harold Pinter's ' The Homecoming ' with Cyril Cusack ( also excellent ), Paul Rogers ( who is superb as the cantankerous old bastard ) and the others who were all brilliant.

Although at first I thought Paul Rogers stole the show, I have since seen that movie about 30 times and I think you're right - as my favourite scenes all have Holm in them. He seems to have mastered every tool in the actors kit. The way he uses his voice, expressions, timing, body launguage etc is wonderful to watch.

An actor like Holm can have you on the edge of your seat simply though sheer talent, while a big buget yank movie can spend $200 million on special effects and send me to sleep.

[crofter]

I would have to say best actor of all time has to be another Sir, Caractacus. Sir Alec Guinness - who to me was the best British actor of all time.
At first I really only new him through his Star Wars turns as Obi Wan Kenobi and really only thought of him as being a straight up actor, but after delving through his earlier efforts I was taken aback by his great body of comedy work.
Sir Alec was a master of his trade who was at ease playing star turns in the old Ealing Comedy Films, or playing it "Stiff Upper Lip" serious in films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Star Wars and Bridge on the River Kwai. But to me his best films were the old Ealing Comedies which became renowned classics:
Ladykillers
The Lavender Hill Mob
Kind Hearts and Coronets (in which he played 8 characters, some feat in those days!!)
The Man In The White Suit

when you take a look at some of his other films you will quickly see why he was the best as they contain some of the best movie moments of the 20th Century:
Great Expectations
Oliver Twist
Our Man In Havana
Lawrence of Arabia
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (tv series)
Star Wars Trilogy

I rest my case.

[crofter]

Oops forgot to mention "Doctor Zhivago" in his filmography - cupid stunt that I am!!

[The Last Word]

Ian Holm in The Sweet Hereafter - exceptional performance and a stunning film.

[Arginald Valleywater]

Drek Jacobi, superb on stage. Seen him twice in RSC productions, he owned the stage.

Ian Holm most underrated.

Alec Guinness also top notch.

Would add in John Hurt, Chrisopher Ecclestone, Bob Hoskins, Brian Cox.

[Hawkins]

Brian Cox is a very fine actor indeed, what a performance in Manhunter as the original Hannibal Lecktor.

Daniel Day Lewis is surely one of the finest actors ever. Although his appearances in films are not as prolific as some seeing as he doesnt work a great deal, he always becomes his character, ie training for months as a pro boxer would for his role in The Boxer. Other actors do this as well of course, but not all of them produce his performances.

I would also nominate Gary Oldman. He has been in such a wide variety of roles, from comedy to serious and always gives an awesome performance. A really fine actor who puts his all into his work and does his reaserch to get into the role he is playing.


A word also for Michael Gambon, who i thought was simply outstanding in The Singing Detective.

[Guilbert]

I know he is not English but Australian but I have to mention Geoffrey Rush.

Just saw him in the Life and Death of Peter Sellers.

Not only did he play Sellers, but he played Sellers playing all those film characters like Chancey Gardner, Clouseou, Dr Stranglove, James Bond etc

But in strange sort-of flashbacks he also briefly played Sellers father, Sellers mother, Sellers first wife, Stanley Kubrick and Blake Edwards.

A real acting tour-de-force and well worth seeing for Geoffrey Rush alone.

[Steve R]

Back to the topic then...

I would indeed have mentioned Ian Holm.

Peter O'Toole too.

[one eyed jack]

Without a doubt Britain is the home of some rather fine actors. I would be so bold as to say even the best in the world..all of whom are mentioned so I'll keep me trap shut, except to say I had a rather fine hour in the company of John Hurt and John Cleese when I was younger. John Hurt was courtesy of my old art teacher who is good friends with him...While I'm bragging, I also went to college with Kinks lead bloke Ray Davies daughter....so ne-yargh!

I really like Geoffrey Rush in Quills!...Hey what about the sublime Ralph Fiennes...Hes a good actor...maybe a bit younger than the ones of older experience but he turned in a damn good show with The English Patient and Sir Ian McKellen...Oh drats...what about good old moody Oliver Reed who saw out his career with Gladiator...A fine end to a great career. Imagine what he couldve done if he was sober LOL! We really coould go on and on about english actors and actresses who way outnumber Holly wood stars for real talent...and thats not dissing american talent either.