Alec Guinness receiving an Honorary Oscar®

Dustin Hoffman presenting an honorary Oscar® to Alec Guinness("Star Wars," "The Bridge on the River Kwai," "The Lavender Hill Mob") for advancing the art of screen acting through a host of memorable and distinguished performances - 52nd Annual Academys® in 1980.

[@grioulaloula8594]

Watch Alec Guinness in Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy. What a magnificent actor!

[@joshua6244]

Have watched it many times. It's difficult to describe what he does. Just a look. A movement of the eyes. A slight movement. An adopted mannerism. Superb.

[@grioulaloula8594]

@@joshua6244 Agreed.

[@jackspry9736]

RIP Sir Alec Guinness (April 2, 1914 - August 5, 2000), aged 86 You will always be remembered as a legend.

[@andrewdelacruz2064]

Magnificent actor Sir Alec Guinness. Truly the gold standard of acting in his era. Don't see many actors of the modern Hollywood era matching his acting.

[@JK-Visions]

No, the actors cannot help it. The film industry is making no good movies anymore. Only rehashing what was a succes in the past. Even the last 3 Starwars movies were not very original...

[@goodolddays5292]

Sir Alec makes Hollywood look like 3rd grade acting school

[@mrjones29]

Really? He said he looked upto the great American stars when he was growing up! Maybe you're talking shit perhaps?

[@Nicopear]

Mr Jones When he was growing up, they had even better stars.

[@Ingens_Scherz]

He corrected this "effort" by a Dustin Hoffman in full narcissist mode, and reminded Hollywood about that thing called CLASS.

[@padijeff5675]

Some of these American method actors have to get all angry and twisted up to act! Along ones Sir Alec or Sir Anthony Hopkins and just act really well! Spencer Tracy could just act the socks off these actors too!😼

[@Kinopanorama1]

How very insightful you are.

[@merlinstwin]

One of the finest English actors ever. It's impossible to choose a favorite character he's portrayed, but George Smiley is as close to a perfect performance as it gets. Almost 40 years on, and Sir Alec's performance is matchless, the gold standard.

[@mizofan]

oh yes, quite brilliant as Smiley, brilliant not as the grand show-off but in that understated Guinness way.

[@philippankhurst6680]

We've just watched the 2 series again for the umpteenth times - 'a load of unsexy men in suits talking to each other' as someone once said, but the 2 greatest TV dramas ever produced with Alec Guinness at the peak of his form. Not a weak link anywhere. Rikki/Irina scenes heartbreaking; Toby/George two-hander in the art gallery - all without peer before or since. Many other examples - Connie and George, etc, etc.....

[@kestrel09]

Equally, his George Smiley performance is mesmerising. One of my favourite actors is Gary Oldman, however as Smiley, Sir Alec is peerless. I also thought his brief Dr Zhivago performance is powerful.

[@it.sophie2256]

He’s my great grandads uncle so like my great x3 or 4 uncle and It feels so crazy to be related to him !

[@waggishsagacity7947]

merlinstwin: I wish I could have said it better, but I can't. I therefore. second your comment, including, of course, George Smiley as the ultimate Sir Alec's roles. I can brag that I've heard Sir Alec read poetry on a record (yes), which is to say, I could listen to him read the instruction manual to any device you can think of. He's absolutely matchless. Frankly, I cannot think of another actor I've admired so much in my entire life. Thanks for uploading.

[@justclosing]

I don't wish to insult Americans, but when it comes down to style, class, grammar and accents you cannot beat a good Shakespearian English actor.

[@mollyoneye]

Mike Rourke Naw the Irish is better....

[@RoderBrent]

@@mollyoneye Surely you jest.

[@nancyallen628]

We Americans make fun of our poor use of English all the time. Smile

[@kashiv]

I hadnt seen any Alec videos other than the movies. Was thinking this bald man looks nothing like the actor... till he started speaking. that classic voice

[@mckavitt]

Nancy Allen That doesn’t seem to stop a large, growing number of us continuing to do that... & worse, spreading it all over the globe.

[@dantheman5745]

Do yourself a favor and watch Guinness as George Smiley in "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" followed by "Smiley's People."

[@dhh488]

It's on KZbin, all six episodes. Great series.

[@iammontecristo]

Sir Alec Guinness, what a class act

[@JAB5625]

His voice is as legendary as that of James Earl Jones IMHO. Darth and Obi Wan... two of the greatest voices in cinematic history. Again, IMHO. Love it.

[@mckavitt]

JAB5625 He was not proud of his role in STAR WARS, which he called so stupid & boring he felt obliged to quit.

[@steamboatwill3.367]

mckavitt ) that's beyond false.

[@ATOK_]

He sounds lika a mix of Roger Moore and Donald Pleasence

[@nathanhosea489]

​@@mckavitt Though he did hate the story of Star Wars and the fame that followed him after it, he was actually very professional on and off the set and contributed a lot to the completion of the filming.

[@QuantumFart2]

Having watched the Oscars about a week ago, and just now watching this, Sir Alec Guinness in particular, I realize how far we have fallen.

[@lonelytraveller5062]

Now, 2021, not only that The Oscar has fallen, but has gone to the asylum.

[@NB-xq4qt]

says quantumfart2.........

[@matthewdavenport2490]

Even truer today.

[@briangregory8223]

@@NB-xq4qt No lie. Zero self-awareness.

[@b.r.holmes6365]

10 years later, your comment is still absolutely true, sadly

[@OneAndOnlyMe]

Peter Cushing and Alec Guinness did more than any other person to spread well spoken English to the farthest reaches of the galaxy.

[@pippipster6767]

Don’t forget Larry, Johnny and David and Cary … in fact the list is a long one.

[@OneAndOnlyMe]

@@pippipster6767 In the Star Wars universe?

[@pippipster6767]

@@OneAndOnlyMe Aha … see what you mean … 😆

[@OneAndOnlyMe]

@@pippipster6767 😄

[@dawnwelch6579]

Sir Alec Guinness, such a smooth voice! I wish the Oscars were still classy.

[@megangaukroger4195]

Love that they played the Colonel Bogey March from The Bridge on The River Kwai instead of Star Wars. Truly one of the best.

[@Renee1952]

Love this man. So talented, so humble, such a class act.

[@RG-ja34sep]

The clarity and tone of Sir Alec’s voice is spectacular, I could listen to him the whole day. Add the fact that he is one of the really great acting talents ever, makes one want to see all his outstanding roles & films.

[@nevenvaland5618]

Great respect to Sir Alec Guinness!!! Best wishes from Croatia, Europe!!! . .

[@tiffsaver]

How many men can boast of doing the Shakespeare classics in the West End, to Bridge on the River Kwai, then went on to thrill another entire generation of film lovers in the landmark "Star Wars"?? British actors are the best in the world, and this man is living proof of that.

[@honestlyyours1069]

It makes me sad that so many of those great actors and actresses of the past, like Sir Alec Guinness, are gone now. But we still have their wonderful and glorious screen performances to remember them by.

[@Albatross-365]

What a fantastic voice....possibly the best voice in the business

[@serenaistheb.o.a.t]

Don't forget Morgan Freeman.

[@smobblkop]

@@serenaistheb.o.a.t Also James Earl Jones' voice is really iconic

[@pjeno007]

Gosh what a classy guy Sir Guinness was. A wonderful speech.

[@Ben-wk4je]

"The force will be with you......always...."

[@rsr789]

You know he hated that role right?

[@byteresistor]

He didn't hate the role. He hated that a lot of people remembered him only for it.

[@mckavitt]

byteresistor He did hate the role... called it stunningly stupid & boring, even to play. That’s why he quit doing it. He asked NOT to have to pronounce such stupid dialogue.

[@mckavitt]

Elwood Blues The force will be with him, it is true.

[@rsr789]

@DC FAN TÜRKİYE Yeah, cuz no one ever did anything for a paycheck that they hated, right?

[@Toulippy]

Alec Guinness never had a bad performance, he was a fantastic actor. rest in peace you legend!

[@victorkong82]

The Force is strong with this one.

[@cenzo731]

Odiaba Star war🙈🙈🙈

[@donlove3741]

Definitely not his remotely best work.

[@apollonia6656]

The greatest British actor ever. What diction, what a voice.

[@Calh92]

apollonia definately up there, its hard to say which was the best british actor though when you have the likes of peter cushing, chaplin, caine, grant, o'toole, day lewis, sellers etc

[@lloydb4469]

Olivier, Gielgud, R. Richardson, Finney...to name a few more...but too many to name (and that's just the men)

[@justclosing]

+cal hughes Am I blind, or did you leave out Laurence Olivier.? He was known as "The actors' actor" and correctly so. Oh, in your list you should have included Richard Burton.

[@Calh92]

Mike Rourke they were part of the etc gang

[@justclosing]

cal hughes one BEGINS with "Larry" !!

[@Just_Pele]

Alec Guinness, the epitome of class and humility.

[@guyfroml]

Great actor, great man. He was truly the man of a thousand faces who could play any character no matter the culture or ethnicity.

[@mrjones29]

Steady on there, Alec has never played a non white character. You're going over the top I think.

[@soulfella1]

@@mrjones29In actual fact,if you pause the opening,with some of the roles He actually played, you will see Him when He played an Arab [king or Prince?] in Laurence of Arabia!

[@mrjones29]

@@soulfella1 You spot on fella, I forgot he was in the film, no need to rewatch as I remember now clearly his scenes with O'Toole.

[@soulfella1]

@@mrjones29 Yes,had to think twice myself,then it dawned on Me,another role well played!

[@it.sophie2256]

My great x3 or 4 uncle no joke !

[@jeremypearson6852]

One of the greatest actors of all time. Just his work on Kind Hearts and Coronets deserves a lifetime achievement award.

[@TheVCRTimeMachine]

Why can't these guys just introduce someone with a little class and dignity without some bad joke as a lead in?

[@simonfarrell6585]

"ladies and gentlemen, Sir Alec Guinness!" would have been sufficient, Jeez they waffle on!

[@edmondscott7444]

Well done to Dustin Hoffman. Alec Guinness fully deserved his lifetime achievement award.

[@rexel666]

A legend. His portrayal of Charles the first in 'Cromwell' was mesmerising.

[@annedwyer797]

Sir Alec Guiness was one of the true greats! I love watching (and listening!) to him, whatever he was in. He had a gentleness of spirit that I love.

[@Kinopanorama1]

One of filmdom's finest actors. He certainly deserves this Honourary Oscar®.

[@Zm598]

I come back and watch/rediscover this video once a year or so... And I love it so much every time, what a presence he was, one of those people you wish could just live forever (like Ian mckellen lol)

[@alanstubbs6848]

I could watch his films over and over again ,John mills was good too in great expectations he was also a really good actor

[@80amnesia]

If you strike me down I'll become more powerful than you can possibly imagine...

[@tvu86]

He truly is a powerful figure in western culture! Unimaginably unmatched in terms of talent, poise, and humanity.

[@brianhead1907]

***** I don't know...I can imagine quite a lot !

[@vadimzdonutube]

Alec Guinness = Genuine Class

[@garethburch6015]

Great expectations, Oliver Twist, The ladykillers, bridge on the river kwai, and Star Wars. Enough said. That’s all you need to know about what a great actor he was. In these great films.

[@AstralPixie]

*Colonel Bogey March* as he walks on the stage ;) Just lovely.

[@alexmunozruiz1161]

My Dear Obi-Wan, what a voice ...

[@stevenlangdon-griffiths293]

What a charming way to present an award, and, an equally charming way of accepting one.

[@DeepScreenAnalysis]

Alec Guinness as Charles the First in the movie Cromwell was the most PERFECT casting in the history of film. Period!

[@pandaroiguaran199]

Magnificent actor. He and Lawrence Olivier was the most greatest actors of history

[@lewiscranston881]

Daniel Day Lewis is up there too

[@gauravw6947]

Lewis Cranston Not on the level of Sir Olivier or Sir Guinness though..

[@HartmutJagerArt]

I agree Sir Alec was the greatest actor of his time, but as to L. Olivier he was always the same, especially with rolling his eyes upwards - in nearly every movie !

[@gauravw6947]

@@HartmutJagerArt Then you are ignorant about the art of Shakespearean acting…

[@HartmutJagerArt]

@@gauravw6947 So you are saying 'rolling your eyes upwards in every movie is Shakespearean acting ? ? ?

[@compsecure77]

Guiness gave a virtual acting masterclass in Tunes Of Glory

[@alanaronald244]

Guiness, genuine class,indeed....His portrayal of Gully Jimson in The Horse's Mouth is my all time favourite,a comic, touching, profound depiction of what it is to live as an artist possessed.

[@alanaronald244]

***** Are you an artist?

[@mizofan]

he was better than the film

[@ricardobigi5476]

Possibly the most versatile great actor in the history of film. Alec Guinness was able to do just about anything, and do it very well. He was not afraid to tackle characters of all kinds and sizes, and always succeeded in giving them full life. His artistry, so multifaceted, was simply breathtaking. Great acceptance speech. So finely ironical!

[@hansesa4586]

It's strange, he reminds me very much of my grandmother. Humble and insecure, and yet such an impressive, intelligent, elegant and strong personality.

[@ombreross]

If someone wants to know what elegance, style and humor are, watch this. A real sir.

[@nickcollister404]

Dustin does not read cards, he has enough respect to memorise the lines, very special and total respect.

[@eduardomendus0]

An true gentleman and inspiration. RIP Sir Alec. And thank you.

[@marshhen]

Alec Guiness was a great human being and actor. He seems to be from an era that is unregcognisable now, one where prodigious talent and unique character made a person celebrated and successful.

[@wasteland70]

He's more powerful than we can possibly imagine.

[@Noveltooner]

Well said. I always felt that Jean Simmons should have been so honored with a lifetime achievement Oscar as well as an AFI Lifetime Achievement Award. Look at the amazing body of work throughout her career, from Ophelia in "Hamlet"; to a marooned innocent in "The Blue Lagoon"; to a young, fiery Elizabeth I in "Young Bess"; to a regal Roman Christian martyr in "The Robe"; to a daughter of the Old West in "The Big Country"; to a singing Salvation Army sister in "Guys and Dolls". Now, she's gone.

[@gentlehorst]

Yes, she did honour to the profession!

[@ReekoChet]

Ben "Obi Wan" Kenobi is the man....

[@TigerzLionzPistonzWingz]

My favorite Alec Guiness roles? Prince Feisal and Jamessir Bensonmum. Brilliance and range.

[@captainjjb84]

The force will be with him, always!

[@KenobiM11]

The Force will be with you, always dear Alec Guinness. You will never be forgotten.

[@padijeff5675]

Sir Alec was a class act! Another actor who doesn’t have waste time on method acting!🙂

[@sgtmajvimy]

He was the perfect George Smiley 🧐🥃

[@davidmachado432]

10 years since a comment. I feel like I blundered into KZbin deep archives. Alec changed my 19 year old life along with fellow actors in Bridge On the River Kwai. I became a draft resister during the Vietnam War because of it. That put me in the penitentiary for a year. In that movie the closing lines by the doctor was MADNESS...MADNESS. War is Madness. I am 82 and nothing has changed. All should see that movie which is often free on KZbin.

[@cardiffbear]

Excellent speech by Guiness

[@chrispirie6504]

So many unmatched portayals. I seem to recall the wonderful Bette Midler referring to Sir Alec as "...the greatest of all actors.". Having read so many comments on KZbin re the very popular Star Wars and The Bridge On The River Kwai please spare a mention for The Ladykillers. His supreme versatility remains unmatched in the History of Acting, to date. Chris Pirie

[@fanboy2015]

Dustin Hoffman was so full of himself back then.

[@mamatibborscassady9388]

+George Alexander yes, it was awful

[@v-town1980]

@andrew, and all of these female teachers banging their underage male students probably are too. Oh, and Trump won; deal with it, wanker.

[@gauravw6947]

robken0174 Trump won what?!

[@HartmutJagerArt]

...nonsense, his 'performance ' was respectful towards Sir Alec !

[@Tyszka7]

such a warm and humble man.

[@SilverAxe13]

Alec Guinness, the master of the Force. One of the all time greatest actors.

[@johnchesteryu4728]

I only know 1 movie he did... and that piece of work will always be remembered for all time. Long Long Live Sir Alec Guiness... Long Live Obi Wan Kenobi.

[@hoppylyss]

My first movie I watched of Alec was "Star Wars" From that I watched "The Bridge On The River Kwai," "The Lavender Hill Mob"&"Lawrence of Arabia" I respect him as an actor and as a person. He definately embodied someone different in each role. Bravo Alec Guinness.

[@raymonda5476]

Shocking that they couldn't get someone more capable oratorically to make the introduction.

[@alleespach]

Dustin Hoffman was a huge star in his own right by then. He had made "The Graduate", "Little Big Man", "Midnight Cowboy", "Marathon Man", "Papillon", "Straw Dogs", "All the President's Men", and many other well remembered films. Guinness certainly did not look down on him.

[@MySpace662]

Remarkable Alex Guinness, no words can describe his talent and achievements on the screen.

[@65wiseman]

Hoffman goes on and on and on.........

[@DafyddBrooks]

He sounds like he'd make a great voice narration for "Thomas the Tank Engine" :)

[@Milordvega]

I was also hoping that he would come in to the Colonel Bogey march from BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI, and it happened! Thank you Oscars. Sir Alex spoke such beautiful English!

[@elizabethlinsay9193]

As an actor, just to be in the same room with this amazing actor would be overwhelming.

[@lynnturman8157]

Interesting that one of the great American method actors is giving an award to one of the great Shakesperean-trained British actors. Opposites attract.

[@gaae2000]

OMG, what a voice!!!

[@mizofan]

He was a great chameleon of an actor; as he says, he did nothing- he just became the character.

[@janepatterson6779]

A wonderful actor. He chose outstanding films to play. Roles he could enhance and were NOT about him or his personality. He's missed, terribly, even in 2021..

[@PretendFriend]

Saw river kwai for the first time today, the monologue brought me to tears

[@gorankatic40000bc]

Delicate and beautiful sense of humor! Made me laugh a lot.

[@ronsandgren1]

I think it's crazy that Dustin Hoffman didn't even mention his role in Star Wars in his introduction. It was already the Hollywood Elite then even though people in the audience recognized his voice from Star Wars more than anything else he was in.

[@bobbycook1109]

The only actor who has come close to his raw talent is sir ian mckellen. Both Shakespearean trained actors and huge inspiration of mine

[@jamesdrynan]

An actor's actor. Sir Guinness had an extraordinarily broad range. From comedy to melodrama, he created memorable roles over decades. One of my favorites was as Monsignor Quixote in the film of the same name. He and Leo McKern were remarkable in Graham Greene's adapted screenplay.

[@juerv1]

He was the man with the thousand faces - and the unique talent.

[@ralphgilbert23]

Humble to the last, bless him.

[@madjack18]

I don't know how he can say he's done 'nothing at all', every one of his performances is a piece of gentle beauty, you don't make art by not putting your heart and soul in, even just a little

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

A bit of British understatement...they call it humor !

[@jb-vb8un]

one of his memorable works, A.G. has almost no dialog - A FOREIGN FIELD, with Lauren Bacall & Leo McKern

[@theflorgeormix]

He has one of those great distinctive credible voices also. Almost a constant radio voice. Of course as Obi Wan, he was spectacular.

[@th8257]

Interesting that obi wan was the role he passionately hated most of all.

[@alexkrajci]

R.I.P. Alec Guinness (1914-2000)

[@TELEVISIONARCHIVES]

Dustin Hoffman did a terrible job with this intro.

[@ordinarypeople20]

"The wisest thing was to do absolutely nothing at all, which is, more or less, what I've been doing since then." Marvelous! (Really a fun way to explain that in film acting, with the camera right on you, less is more, compared to the theater.)

[@tazzertime]

Just a class act, humble and grateful. He did tell an untruth however, we all know he most certainly did more than 'nothing' in his movie career!

[@rherrick123]

He said it because he'd just said that he hadn't done anything. Alec Guinness, what a genius.

[@phil2875]

That first guy did a great Dustin Hoffman impression.

[@CBeard849]

So many high quality roles and yet I will always remember him playing the blind butler in Murder by Death. Like he said in the script of that movie.....which applies exactly to his award this night was....."All in good time" !! Love you buddy and RIP

[@jtukko]

Now THAT`S an God tier actor! Even when he thought star wars was rubbish he still gave it all he had! Having watched many of his other movies i can confirm he is an legend among actors! While being a absolute gentleman in the process.

[@Bombaman5632]

Always a touch of class

[@Eisenmaus]

Exactly. And he never loathed Star Wars fans, he loathed being reduced to this one role. He loved Star Wars however. He was one of the biggest supporters of George Lucas and he came back for Empire and Jedi in spite of having just faced serious eye surgery. Above all he was a giant, one of the last great actors of a great generation and an actor the world will never forget.

[@TiNg-nk7zt]

Rain Man didn't even care..

[@rsr789]

He was up for an Oscar that night... I'm sure his mind was elsewhere.

[@v-town1980]

rsr_ doesn't make it right.

[@Cleon29Warrior]

@Beck19781 Couldn't agree more, my friend. You forgot two smaller, but very effective roles: "Great expectations" and "Doctor Zhivago". But every his role is golden.

[@michaelmuldowney8]

Hoffman was instrumental in getting Guinness to fly to Hollywood to accept this award. Guinness had not intention of coming but Hoffman who was doing publicity for Kramer vs Kramer in London at the time met and talked Guinness into attending. He agreed to attend as long as it was Hoffman who introduced him

[@tonyshortland8812]

michael Muldowney, i don't know where you got that from, but i'm sorry, it's not true,

[@Resholden]

One of the greatest voices ever- deep and yet mellifluous