1976: PETER USTINOV on Horses, Orchestras and the USA | Classic Interviews | BBC Archive

Derek Nimmo is joined by the great raconteur - actor, director, writer and impressionist Peter Ustinov. In a wide-ranging interview, he discusses the dangers of working with horses on film and orchestras on the stage. He also shares some observations from his time in the United States of America, his thoughts on the state of the world, religion, poverty, sex and how - in order to make sense of global events - he invented an imaginary country and considers how it would conduct itself on the world stage.
Finally, he tells a story about being picked up by a Soviet taxi driver in New York.
Clip taken from Just A Nimmo, originally broadcast on BBC Two, 25 February, 1976.
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[@brocktoon8]

I could listen to this man forever . . .

[@secretagentbloke]

He was one of the greatest gifts to a chat show host. A superlative story teller.

[@w1o2l3f4i5e]

Ustinov was such a great story teller. It is something that I find missing in today’s chat shows.

[@jcb74]

Now there's my ideal dinner guest! I could listen to him tell stories so animatedly for hours

[@david-pb4bi]

Very much doubt if people have dinner guests anymore, what with the mobile phones etc.

[@swanvictor887]

two amazing talents, characters so rare these days: intelligent, witty, urbane, interesting. Both men much missed...well, by those of us old enough to remember their talent and intellect.

[@brakecompo2005]

Absolutely brilliant - thanks for posting. Ustinov deserves still to be alive and to rule the World than some old men who want to rule it today. A memento of a truly great human being.

[@M_Bamboozled]

Clever guy. Every story was like a well written comedy sketch, plus voices, accents, sound effects and languages. Amazing.

[@hilaryepstein6013]

Wonderful raconteur and a true Renaissance Man. Also I don't know if it's just me but as he was talking Stephen Fry came into my mind.

[@MarcoSpeaksNadsat]

Bit disrespectful to Ustinov, who was a master in numerous fields, a diplomat, a polyglot (spoke 6 languages fluently) and 2 time Oscar winner. Fry on the other hand is good at convincing people he is cleverer than them.

[@ctid107]

Saw his one man show, genius. Of course then, unlike now, interviews could be just for entertainment rather than to plug a new book or film.

[@alidabaxter5849]

I absolutely adore Peter Ustinov, incredibly talented, multilingual, just the most heavenly guest on any chat show. I can't understand why Derek Nimmo isn't reacting normally to this wonderful man.

[@kicsiszol]

what a woderfull story teller! must have been a great man.

[@RolandoRatas]

The horse just misheard his name as Peter Ucomeoff.

[@adamhughes4442]

This man is addictive!!!

[@76ToneCrome]

I particularly like his prince John in the Disney animated version of Robin Hood: "mummy." Terry Thomas as Hiss the snake as well.

[@robinvanags912]

....and this interview was the year after both these gentlemen starred in my personal favourite from Disney: 'One Of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing'.

[@keef78]

Noel Gallagher interviewing Peter ustinov, well I never!

[@benfisher1376]

This is around the time that Ustinov and Nimmo made One of our Dinosaurs is Missing.

[@BeesWaxMinder]

Audience in the 70s: "CAN society get any worse?" Internet: "Hold my pint…"

[@peterharvey1762]

Looks like he has only just finished Logan’s run promos as the old man

[@civlyzed]

I was wondering the same. I think I'll watch it tonight, as I haven't seen it in a couple years. Cheers!

[@faustoferrari4303]

It was the same year, so you may well be right.

[@andrewrussell4707]

Imagine having a dinner date with PU on one side, and Kenneth Williams on the other!

[@renzo6490]

Who chose that TIE?

[@brianquigley1940]

👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍

[@onepartyroule]

Is the guy on the right Noel Gallagher’s dad?

[@perrynnlynch1883]

Lol 😆. Respectfully of course.

[@andrewrussell4707]

No

[@faustoferrari4303]

Several comments noting that similarity. I can't see it at all, but maybe because I grew up with Derek Nimmo and there couldn't be someone more different in background and public image from the Gallagher brothers. can you imagine them guesting on All Gas and Gaters??

[@Diamondmine212]

Definitely no. A well known comic actor of his day, went on to have his own theatre group which travelled around the world putting on comic and frantic plays , lovely man.

[@jonmortimer5831]

Noel Gallagher has certainly cultivated himself.

[@MrDavey2010]

Nimmo seems unamused because the spotlight isn’t on him! Outshone by Ustinov. Nimmo wasn’t a nice man apparently.

[@user-ve3gh5xg9q]

Sa🎄nta Claus is real😊

[@billybollockhead5628]

Oasis have let themselves go havent they?

[@brianquigley1940]

"The Americans are just so nice." .... sigh...

[@peterjones6507]

What Ustinov says about suppressing our instincts is more relevant today than at the time. It seems to be the aim of the left, and perhaps it always has been. Enforced Ideology and pie-in-the-sky social theorising is their game.

[@hiimnewhere]

lmao you cant even watch a random video about peter ustinov without clutching your pearls about leftists 😭 what a sad way to live

[@peterjones6507]

@@hiimnewhere Well, I found it fascinating that Ustinov was so perceptive, and also able to speak openly about the issue. He wouldn't be able to mention it today,. But perhaps you're right. Not everyone is so worried about these issues.