Cool News
Come my fellow Romans, come and watch Richard Harris and Oliver Reed talk of GLADIATOR!!!
Hey folks, Harry here. Boy, let me tell ya what. Ol Cosmico has been digitizing his rear off working to capture all this footage for me and you, and he's really done a bang up job. But man, let me tell you. I don't know if you are the fan of OLIVER REED that I am. I'm not sure many are.
The very first TRIVIA I ever learned to answer, when I was my parents' trained monkey was: "Who was THE WOLFMAN?" "Lon Chaney" "Who Was THE WEREWOLF OF LONDON?" "Henry Hull." and lastly "Who was THE CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF?" "OLIVER REED!" After that I went on to cowboy horses' names, incantations to magic lamps, lycanthropy rhymes, etc... But as early as thought goes back, I knew the name of Oliver Reed.
When the man passed away, I was grief struck. My father and I instantly went out, bought an original one-sheet of CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF, and hung it in our living room. It's been there ever since. The first film I ever recorded was Oliver Reed's THE THREE MUSKETEERS. My parents had to go do something, and left me home alone. The VCR was a brand new toy at the time, and video tapes... blank video tapes were $25 a piece. I knew my father wanted the film on tape badly, and I knew he hated commercials, so... I figured out how to work the contraption, attached the wire for the remote control, so I could edit out commercials, and recorded the film. I still remember the astonishment on Dad and Mom's face when they came home that night to see a nearly perfect (edited for television) print of THE THREE MUSKETEERS on tape.
Be it in SITTING TARGET, where Oliver Reed serves as a bit of the prototype for General Zod's THE LIMEY. Or in WOMEN IN LOVE during the brilliant nude bearskin rug firelit wrestling match... Oliver Reed was just a film acting god. One of those bigger than life sorts of guys. The type you hear legends about. Like the alleged, semen through his hair conversation with Renny Harlin when he was cast in CUTTHROAT ISLAND, and when Harlin said "NO", Oliver was willing to fight over his desire to rub semen in his hair on camera.
This was Oliver Reed, an intense, animalistic presence on camera, a brooding icon off. And right here, you can download what must surely be the last interview that Oliver Reed ever gave as part of the EPK (Electronic Press Kit) from Dreamworks.
Click here to download and play this 3.9 meg Quicktime of OLIVER REED talking about GLADIATOR!!!!
One more thing to add about Oliver Reed in GLADIATOR, the man is in top form in the film. This isn't no... end of the career, barely lucid... dying on camera performance. This is a man filled with life. Hungry for more, lusting for the bloody days of yore when the crowd cheered his name. He is... a god in this film.
Yeah, I know... I've gone on and on about Oliver Reed, but you have to understand, I believed that Oliver Reed had most likely died before doing any interviews regarding GLADIATOR, and I was so happy and ecstatic to see this footage that, well... I just went nuts. However, in addition to Oliver Reed's interview, we also have Richard Harris.
Now Richard Harris is every bit the gigantic personality that Oliver Reed was. A great actor and classic story teller... If you ever get a chance to hear him speak... be it on radio, television, film or in person... by all means, tune in. His stories about him and Peter O'Toole are classics. And usually when he's on Letterman, you can just see Dave geeking out... as if he's just stunned that he is somehow in the presence of this man.
The first time I became aware of Richard Harris it was while watching THE GUNS OF NAVARONE, and we are with our heroes as they are watching a debriefing of a bunch of British bombers that are detailing the horror story of trying to bomb the GUNS from the air. That passionate young pilot... that was Richard Harris, and even in that briefest of moments... he came to life and outshone everyone in the room including Gregory Peck. However, till the day I die, I will know Richard Harris as THE MAN CALLED HORSE. I used to have a video tape that had JERIMIAH JOHNSON and THE MAN CALLED HORSE double featured and I watched that tape like it was my LION KING or ALADDIN. I was horrified and transfixed by Harris' tortured screams... his hanging body, his "I'm not an animal, I'm a human being!" well before it was in... every film since. heh. He's been KING ARTHUR and KING RICHARD THE LION HEARTED. For me, his last great role before this one, was as ENGLISH BOB in UNFORGIVEN. His scenes with Gene Hackman... powerful stuff.
His Emperor in GLADIATOR is a marvel. All at once, regal, noble and godly... as well as tired, depressed and weary. He is a man at his last days on earth. There are things he must do, the final pieces of the jigsaw of his life that he must put in place for it all to have meaning. Harris is fantastic in the movie.
Click here to download the 2.3 meg Quicktime interview with Richard Harris, discussing his role on GLADIATOR!!!
Both of these men give GLADIATOR the sense of grandeur that the film needed. They are the link to the epics of old, to the period of time when films in the style and scale of GLADIATOR were not... uncommon. Of course... rarely, if ever did any look as good, or move you as passionately as this film does. This is a wonderful movie, and god I wish it had a score by Miklos Rosza! Enjoy the interviews!
-
+ Expand All
-
that was nice of you... I am gonna rent some of his films now, he sounded like a honorable actor
-
See him also in The Devils (how could you forget to mention this film Harry?) and Burnt Offerings.
-
"Gladiator" will be the great Oliver Reed's swan song as far as on-screen acting, but his phenomenal presence will continue for decades to come! Thanx for the glowing tribute, Harry -- there's many of us who'll miss Reed and his contributions to cinema.
-
Yes Gladiator, with a vicious hack, chop the proverbial head from the universe. Yes, mighty gladiator, ignore the trends, ignore the sniveling need to satisfy a "geography" of people. Bleed the trends dry, bask in the brutal glow of bloody victory wrought by the bloody hand that smashed the bloody face of the fools who will follow it like mindless whores drawn to a fashion show. Fools, may the fashion burn beneath the torches of integrity, fuck the powers that churn the cheese and mingle the wise with the masses of foobs. Burn i say. Burn. Yes gladiator, bring us violence in abundance, and deliver it mercilessly, and may those who dont understand complain and whine for they are the problem at all that they dont understand that it is we, the individual person who makes the good in the world, and may we enjoy what is vile...but what we desire never to do. Fools who mock what they understand in the wrong direction. Filter the cheese, ridley, yes. Make not for the money, make not for the popularity, make not for the recognition of satisfying those who cannot be satisfied by different things, but who preach to be so anyway. Fools. Yes gladiator, lob limbs into the blood-drenched sky and blast and tear and pound and pull apart and beat and scrape and burn, burn, burn them..
-
I've listened to Zimmer's score to the movie for several days now and I think it does the job nicely. You can tell its Zimmer since he uses simillar styles througout his scores (especially the action scores) but I am a raging Zimmer fan and he adds another favorite to my list.
-
May 02, 2000 1:22:38 AM CDT
IGN Movies accuses Harry of being in cahoots with the studios re
by javadevilyouarey
Check out the article at http://movies.ign.com/news/3587.html Notice the opening line that says "The overwhelming consensus online is that Gladiator is an amazing flick. Some go so far as to say that it's Ridley Scott's best flick ever. Well don't believe the hype, cuz behind many positive reviews you'll find in-dealing between sites and studios. We know, it makes us nauseous, too." Obviously, they are making a reference to AICN. So what's up, Harry? Is this going to be another Armageddon/Godzilla-like debacle where you give a good review to a crap summer movie?
-
May 02, 2000 1:35:10 AM CDT
I enjoyed "Gladiator." One of the best films I've seen in a long
by uncapie
The opening battle sequence with the Germans is quite impressive, but the battle cry the Germans have is literally lifted from the Zulu battle dance in Cy Endfield's movie of the same name. The Zulu's chant and beat ther shields against the contigent at Roark's Drift. Listen carefully and its there in "Gladiator" sound-for-sound. Also, check out a film called "The Dam Busters." George Lucas lifted word-for-word, the last twenty minutes of the film and used it word-for-word in "Star Wars." I shit you not!
-
i agree with the comment on hans zimmer's score. i've been also listening to it for the past few days because when i first saw the movie, the score reminded me of a cross between the rock and the prince of egypt, both of which zimmer did, and it kicked ass. read my gladiator review: http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/twentiescir/wumper/gladiator.html. comments are appreciated.
-
I heard once he got arrested(drunk and disordely probably)and while resisting arrest he bellowed"YOU CAN'T ARREST ME I'M ATHOS OF THE THREE MUSKETEERS!"
When he died i raised twelve glass' and three cans of special brew to his memory..... -
Harry, dude, I know it must be difficult, but please don't "flog the saugage" to this report.
-
I don't know if this is old news or not, but I jsut checked the "Gladiator" website today and it kicks ass...more than just trailers now.
-
May 02, 2000 7:17:22 AM CDT
Oliver Reed the departed Hell Raiser from an Irish perspective
by pizza devil
It was with great joy that I saw Channel 4 (a terrestrial channel in England) run a tribute to Reed a few weeks ago. He had the same sence of largesse and headonism that we just do not see in todays stars with their personal therapists, and their feng shui. I want my stars dead, I wnat them with booze in one hand, cigarettes in another and a smile on their face. Oliver Reed is a testament to the ability of one great performer to lead a controlled profession and a chaotic real life.
I remember Reed as a guest on a TV chat show where he arrived very drunk and sang "wild thing" while taking off his clothes. Many people thought it was a terrible display, but Reed himself embraced his persona as the great fallen hereo, his life and the way he lived it was the hero quest.
I miss him and his perspective. It was with great pride that I watched the village in ireland where Reed finally settled turn out and mourn the passing of a great talent as well as a great member of the community
R.I.P Ollie you deserve it -
Surely Ollie
-
Sad to read in the papers here the other day Harry that Olly's grave in Cork has fallen into disrepair since the great man passed away.... Perhaps a fitting metaphor for his later life though....
Cya,
O -
When he ambled onto the set of (I think) Michael Parkinson or Terry Wogan in the early 80's, his shirt untucked, face flushed and carrying a huge jug of orange juice....Parky or Wogan turns to him and, obviously non-plussed, says to him 'Is that orange juice?'
Olly winks conspiratorially, and says 'Sort of.'
Pure genius. He will be missed. -
The Wolfman was Lon Chaney Jr., not Lon Chaney. That may be getting picky, but Sr. was a genius, and Jr., except for a pretty good performance in "Of Mice and Men," was a B-Movie amateur.
-
It was on "Aspel". I saw the clip, of which you speak, on telly last week (Greatest 100 TV Moments). He proceeded to do a mad-bastard bare-chested song and dance routine, the lyrics of which were only deciferable to those who have recently drunk a proverbial shedful. Certainly one of the greatest "Pissed Out of your Tree on Live Television Moments". Although not, IMO, as hilarious as Brigitte Neilson, obviously bladdered, haranguing Skinner and Baddeil, and being ejected from the studios of "Fantasy World Cup Football", a couple of summers ago. Classic.
-
Has to be that he walked on to a chat show, todger out, trousers around his ankles, completely ratfaced. The female host as she turned around said 'Hello Oliver...and friend.' Classic!
-
I have to say, I just bought the Zimmer score yesterday, and I am totally blown away. I'm generally not a huge Zimmer fan, but this is great stuff. Classical Music buffs will get a kick out of this. I swear, the composer has drawn on a well of great resources for this score. Interwoven throughout are chords from Holsts "the Planets", and Respighi's Roman suites. It's all great, and never loses an ounce of adrenaline throughout. As for Oliver Reed, he *was* Athos, and will be adored forever. I can't wait to see him in this. On a side note, Theopolus, I have to say, you crack me up. "Women hate this stuff"? Well, as for me and the three ladies standing with me in line on opening night, we're sorta looking forward to this thing. Somehow I have the feeling that this will pass up "Spartacus" just a teeny little bit, you think?
-
My favourite Ollie story has to be at a party at his house in Southhampton or somewhere, and he drinks 3000 pints of beer and fuck no knows what else with a rugby team over a weekend, then Sunday Morning just before dawn he stands up and says "Right you buggers, who's with me for a quick jog?" Then he proceeds to lead the team of lads naked at dawn on a run through his nearby woods... Really good of you Knowles to mention this on the site... Ollie and Moonie and Bonzo... The Trinity... God bless.
-
Great to see that his memory will live on. Reading some of these posts about his exploits brings a tear to the eye!(sniff!)
-
I am so sick and tired of people quick to presume that women don't like action movies. That is just wrong. I, like most women, like practically any genre of movie. The clincher?...actually have a story behind it all. I will never go see Armageddon or any Wil Smith memorial day extravaganza because that is MINDLESS. Explosions and simplified hero/villian characters does not a good movie make. Gladiator will do VERY well with the ladies (I saw a screening last week) and I'll tell you why.
1)there is a story with more than one level
2)the hero and villian are complex characters
3) the slight love angle of the story is nuanced and underplayed and not just 'tacked on' for the ladies, as it were
4)it is visually breathtaking
5)the men in it are just as awe inspiring as everything else, and there is not ANY form of exploitation of ANY female character
6)the central female character is not just scenery. She is as developed as all of the other main characters, as well as having her shit together.
By the way, not all women like meg ryan movies either. -
"Women hate stuff like this"?! Oh, honey. I'm just gonna assume you haven't been talking to us lately. See, here's the thing. Some women like "girly" movies. Some *guys* like girly movies. Some men like bigass summer flicks, and, uh...hey, some women do too! And a lot of us, regardless of gender, enjoy films that so far look like well-crafted pieces of entertainment. Sorry if your art history didn't really prepare you for that, but I find a review hard to take when it comes from a blatantly sexist snob. I've been planning on seeing "Gladiator" as soon as it comes out near me; cause of your review I just might see it twice! You know. To make up for the other 99.99999% of us women that "hate stuff like that." I'm out.
-
I'm looking forward to this movie more than any movie in a long time. Even Episode I, because while that was commercialized, over-sentimentalized bullshit buzz surrounding the film, this one looks really damn cool. My God...are...are movies actually becoming...good again?! Has my faith been renewed?! It seems so. Last year was fantastic. And this year, what with Gladiator, The Patriot and many other fine movies, I'm becoming way too overly excited for my own good!
-
Saw Gladiator last night at a Radio 1 free preview in Edinburgh (that's in Scotland for those that don't know!) and I have to say I was slightly underwhelmed. Don't get me wrong - it's a fantastic blockbuster but it has some serious faults that mean what could have been a great film is just average.
Firstly the good stuff - the battles (contrary to earlier reports in this thread) are pure visceral blood letting at it's best, especially the first battle and the chariot battle. Also the whole film looks great with Rome looking fantastic in all it's CGI glory and the colours are some of the nicest I've seen commited to celluoid. The acting is good, although a bit one note - Crowe is just brooding and cool all the way through and Oli Reed has great screen prescene but his acting ain't that good. By far and away the best performance is Richard Harris as the dying Emporer, he looks like he carries the weight of an Empire on his back.
Now the bad - THE PLOT!!! for what there is of a plot it can be written on a matchbox and is the most predictable plot in cinema history! This is a real let-down, what was meant to be an epic tale, is just frankly BORING! (the worst crime of any scriptwriter). Also the characters are so two dimensional that you could easily slide them under a door. Where is the progression? Where are their histories? Besides a few nods to an affair between Crowes character and the emporers daughter you get NOTHING!. Lastly, Joaquin Pheonix is frankly just annoying for every second he is on screen - why can't hollywood do interesting villians anymore?
Anyway that's the end of my rant - go see it for the visuals and the action but leave your brain well at home, you won't need it in the slightest. -
Hhrmmpphh.
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012 -- 439 total posts 165 posts
- WTF HOLLYWOOD: SOLARBABIES -- 144 total posts 142 posts
- Herc’s Seen Tonight’s Return Of THE WALKING DEAD!! Discuss Also DOWNTON ABBEY, FEAR FACTOR, PAN AM, ONCE, SIMPSONS, DYNAMITE, LUCK, SHAMELESS, BAIT CAR, THE GRAMMYS And More!! Sunday Is Sweeps Day 11!! -- 153 total posts 138 posts
- Avid Comic Reader Hercules Does Battle With Tedium During Kevin Smith’s COMIC BOOK MEN! -- 55 total posts 47 posts
- There's a STAR TREK video game that is going to lead into JJ's STAR TREK 2 apparently... -- 196 total posts 45 posts
- If the Behind the Scenes Pics of the Day drops her pen, pick it up, but don’t look at her legs or else it will be on your record. -- 60 total posts 36 posts
- New JUDGE DREDD post production footage pops up -- 127 total posts 36 posts
- I am The Behind the Scenes Pics of the Day! No, I’m the Behind the Scenes Pic of the Day! -- 35 total posts 35 posts
- To Commemorate The 3D Release Of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, George Lucas Wants You To Know...Greedo Shoots First!! -- 513 total posts 29 posts
- The Sensorties Revisit The Friday Docback (And Still Smell)!! DOCTOR WHO Story #7 Again, The Coming Of Season/Series 7, And More!! -- 117 total posts 26 posts