An Audience with Peter Ustinov 1988

[@glynnismacpherson504]

How I miss real talent in this world, he was irreplacable.

[@freddylebanon]

A stark reminder of how far we are falling with trash media at the helm..great stuff

[@htershane]

I worked in a posh hotel as a room service waiter in the early 90s and I met him while he was touring his one man show (fairly similar to this video). I met a lot of celebs in that job but he, for me, was the most charming and generous of all of them. When I first spoke to him he was curious about my accent, a mix of Irish/English, which turned into a good 10 minute chat. He asked if I was going to see the show, I quipped something about waiters wages not being overly generous and I thought that was that. When I went back to collect his trolley he handed me an envelope, it was 2 tickets for the show, 3rd or 4th row, right in front of the stage and then apologised he couldn’t invite me backstage as he had another engagement straight after! I said I’d go if he didn’t make jokes about poor Irish waiters. Went to the show and of course he made a joke about poor Irish waiters😂. It was fantastic. The following day I wasn’t working but went to thank him and we were there another 15 mins or so talking about films, he seemed genuinely tickled one of my favourite things about his Poirot was the reaction when other characters mispronounced his name (Her-coo-lees Parrot or Porridge ) and also that I loved “Spartacus”. I was 18 then but looked younger so I guess he thought old Hollywood films wouldn’t be the sort of thing I’d be into. He raved about Charles Laughton telling me quite seriously, like a stern grandparent, to check his films out which I did whenever I could and am very grateful for. A while after, months later, I had a random phone call from another waiter, who happened to be Irish, working in a completely different hotel who just rang to say “Mr Ustinov said to say “hello”. “ A moniker often overused these days is “legend”, this guy really is.

[@RoderickFernandez-ps5ci]

So good to hear that you hear so many terrible things about theatrical people when they're in private and being in the business myself I know it's not always true although sometimes it is I'm sorry to say

[@jenniferchristie9721]

What a charming personal story. Thank you for sharing!

[@htershane]

@@jenniferchristie9721 thanks, it was a charming experience. As should be evident I’ll never forget it👍

[@marilim5013]

I had no idea he was a comedian as well as a singer and directed operas! What an amazing man. A real treasure. I’d love to watch films of his Younger days

[@gaelswed]

Irish meself-adore spartacus-what a wonderful story.

[@stevenharrison1213]

I've had to write this comment. I'm a council estate lad, a chippy, not highly educated or well worded. I can't read a book without a dictionary. This video came up on my suggestions for some reason and I clicked on it. mainly because I'd seen this blokes face before and heard the name. I always thought he was a boring and serious man. I clicked on it because I wondered why he'd be on an audience with. Well I'm half way through and I haven't stopped laughing or being amazed at how brilliant he is. I've definitely found an absolute gem and I feel I've missed out in a big way. What a discovery. Fantastic

[@johanvankemenade1974]

A great big man.

[@tamarayoung9861]

Well done for watching a great British comic Genius and a gentleman x

[@FranssensM]

This is a bit late Steve, you posted a year ago, but you should check out the interviews with him. Ones where he gets a chance to tell some old stories. His was a life well lived. He had the talent to laugh at what he found & not take himself too seriously. I’m also a lad from a council estate. Nothing wrong in that.

[@bertram-raven]

I received my degree at Durham from Peter Ustinov. He described the giant red robes he was wearing as "being dressed as a Ferrari." He also said there were two types of graduand (what you are before after exams but before receiving the "paperwork"), those who say thank you before receiving their diploma and those who say thank you after. "Be careful," he warned, "ensure you get paid before saying thank you to an employer. In acting, there is no shame in checking the envelope before showing your gratitude.,"

[@rosemaryleftwich1710]

⁷⁷⁷oóoo⁷⁷⁷⁷⁷⁷⁷oooooooouoopóoooooóóoóooy

[@chrisbinks4620]

Ustinov was a genius and this is wonderful. Unfortunately, I am reminded - not for the first time - of just how dumbed-down television has now become.

[@splinterbyrd]

Agreed. The only stand-up comics these days are the "alternative" variety, who think offensive language is hilariously funny

[@kiasax2]

Well said.

[@hefinhughes7263]

The great Clive James in one of his discussion programmes called "On televidon" warned us what would happen on deregulated TV and it has proved exactly so. Intelligent discussion has almost disappeared and sport,sex and cartoons ( or CGI, very similar,ud the order of the day

[@Stand_By_For_Mind_Control]

I find it troubling that people with minds as bright as his can ever die.

[@nathelondon3719]

Intelligent, erudite, multi talented, linguist, sharp, well dressed, no foul language, witty, entertaining.....I could go on. RIP Notice all the young comics looking up to him.

[@judirokk8628]

I love him, my Yorkie was terrified when I yelled with laughter

[@Rob-metoo527]

Words are not dirty minds are.

[@RobWhittlestone]

Peter Ustinov has been a hero of mine since I was a child. It wasn't mentioned here but he could speak 12 yes TWELVE languages extremely well. I know his French was accentless and in this video his German sounds excellent too.English Russian French German Italian Mandarin and perhaps someone else knows the other six. Peter Ustinov also worked with British intelligence. He was truly larger than life. Sadly missed.

[@tench07]

I'm envious of the people in the audience. It was such an honour to be in the presence of such a gifted raconteur.

[@splinterbyrd]

He's better than I remembered. Even better than the different voices, his best performance is when he acts purely with facial expressions, as when portraying President Reagan! LMFAO!

[@htershane]

@@tench07 what’s on this video is very similar to the one man show that he was touring around that time so fortunately a lot of others had the opportunity to be in the room too. So glad to say I was one of them.

[@susangarzone7162]

An absolute comic genius! This is one of the best I have ever seen. Ustinov was an accomplished actor, intellectual and he is just so hysterical here with his mastery wit and ability to do any language. Fabulous!

[@mikejduk]

If I had to be stuck in a lift for a considerable amount of time, I couldn't wish for a better companion! What a brilliant man, so full of life and living it! Absolutely brilliant.

[@genepoole1771]

And when the stories ran out, you could eat him.

[@robbie_]

It was said of him that he never talked with you, he talked at you. That is to say the conversation was a performance for him and you were the audience.

[@andycharles6641]

He doesn’t so much name drop as name carpet-bomb, but you know that he’s genuinely met all of these people and done all of these things. 2 Oscars, 2 Emmy’s, a Grammy, and a Golden globe - actor, screenwriter, playwrite, UN Ambassador and so on….

[@gaecallender7360]

A really remarkable human being! I loved him.❤

[@aussierhino471]

One of the most intelligent, beautifully spoken, talented and witty men whoever existed, in my humble opinion. Whenever he was on a talk show, I watched eagerly and he never disappointed.

[@lenagreen4031]

I agree with you. Eloquently spoken, expertainly executated voice and body mimicking. Never will we have comics, come actors genius entertainers in the makings for a long long time.

[@harnekkallah2656]

So fortunate to see his show 30 odd years ago in Birmingham, Uk. So clever, funny, his ability for accents was amazing.❤

[@catamongthepigeons6576]

How do you know

[@jyothijohn8527]

😊😅😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@tortysoft]

Gosh, what a talent. What would he say about the world today ! I only seldom see his work, but each time it is a shockingly brilliant delight.

[@user-sv4rp4iz81]

Sir Peter Ustinov, a true genius. A very old video, but so worth watching. His beautiful diction and his ability to speak with humour and yet get the message across. A wonderful man and simply, there will never be another like him 🎉

[@liammccarron8191]

I was 27 when this was broadcast.. It totally blew me away, just how eloquent, funny, and outstanding this man was. SUPERB RACONTEUR.

[@MrArchie800]

One thing that always strikes me when I look at these older vids is the eloquence, vocabulary and intelligence of people (not just the performers). People back then really used to speak to each other and tell stories - I fear we are really losing that ability to elegantly communicate in this modern age.

[@davidsheriff8989]

Electronic age

[@gregoryreese7686]

Read letters from the civil war.

[@toothpick4649]

Not only in England I Listened to the female reading the News on the radio today I could not understand her at all , some new raspy kind of accent I believe it's called "vocal Fry " people in Australia blame the Americans .lol..

[@Prolinium]

Many younger people are enjoying reviving this elegance, recognising how clean the sound projects. It's on its way back ;-)

[@thiagodeandrade7081]

I admit there is something to that perception that the average person (or at least the average White male who mattered politically and left his mark somehow -- someone mentioned the example of American Civil War letters), was more eloquent than later generations. But I think there is also a selection bias at work. We remember people who left their mark by being the wittiest and the smartest around as witty and smart and think they were representative. Reagan was the great communicator, but Bush I, despite his patrician aplomb, was much less inspiring and coherent. Even regarding the basic gifts of the mind... I mean, how many decades ago a book called Why Johnny Can't Read was written? It complained about low standards among youth draft during the Korean War (1950-1953). Even if we admit the intellectual standards were higher a few decades ago, it was the end tail of the proccess of dissemination of basic education. As late as the early 1900s, 20 percent of the American adult population was illiterate. Among American Blacks, the rate of illiteracy was four times the one for the general population. To be honest, I am particularly skeptical because, as a Brazilian, I keep hearing people ranting about people in Brazil being smarter in the 1950s, when about 50% of Brazil's population was illiterate. Sure, one can be eloquent and illiterate, but I don't think it is what people have in mind.

[@bibibrin5035]

A true European. A wonderful ambassador of wit, kindness and unity among people. ❤

[@pixelfrenzy]

Obviously spoke German which I didn't realise. Interesting to hear him talk about Russia/Gorbachov and "West" Germany in 1988... who knew what was to come in the next couple of years!

[@oliveroneill1388]

Europe does not exist. Its the 4th rike .

[@M21L35]

God Rest Your Soul, Mr. Ustinov...you will NEVER be duplicated....nor forgotten!

[@TheLegenDacster]

So much LOVE for one of THEE ALL TIME GREATS. Sorely missed Utinoff!

[@johnchoat357]

The absolute, total sadness fills me that the likes of this incredible GentleMan will never come our way again.......What a loss AND.what an unbelievable pity!

[@Kevin-si1es]

What a legend Peter Ustinov was loved his stories and the way he does the different characters and voices funny and educational what a legend he was a true comedy and great actor

[@jacquelinekalich3265]

His vocabulary and eloquence are stunning! How far we have fallen!

[@ruthcollins2841]

Nowadays most actors seem wooden and speak text talk!😅😅

[@helenlauer9545]

fastest 50 minutes I can remember. What a wonderful global treasure.

[@GeorgeMorgan6600]

@Hello there, how are you doing this blessed day?

[@williamstringer6519]

I came across this video by chance now in 2022. As an elderly guy, I can remember all the featured audience members, and the relevance of much of Peter's material. I had forgotten just how talented Peter was, and spent my time watching with a glass (or two) of red wine, in awe and admiration of his superb talent. Although we shall never see his like again, the hope is that others will come to the fore as time goes on, although succeeding generations may well find such finely nuanced humour mystifying.

[@britturk123]

One of the greatest raconteurs that the world will ever see. R.I.P Sir Peter Ustinov.

[@Glamourbawwss]

The other one is David Niven!

[@ady8097]

Thank you for posting. A walk back in time seeing all the famous people in the audience. Peter Ustinov was a brilliant man.

[@bracknellboy81]

The Queen Mary story still has me in stitches every time I hear it

[@jantyszka1036]

I can't help feeling how sad Peter Ustinov would be to see the state of the world today (particularly how Russia has gone). He's the type of humane, tolerant, decent and intelligent person we so badly need to remind us people are capable of doing good.

[@franciscofernandez25]

L Zambia

[@Joe-gj1ut]

Well I have to say,that was a beautiful message and brilliantly worded❤

[@ajarnwordsmith628]

His genius knows no bounds...

[@JamesMcBurnie-om9xw]

Putin has taken Russia backwards, being the former Head of the KGB it was always likely

[@Joe-gj1ut]

I totally agree

[@bcfairlie1]

Unquestionably THE best raconteur ever. Such a talent. What a speaker. No one could come close to him in this day and age.

[@pixelfrenzy]

From what I remember of these "An audience with..." programmes in the 80s, they were pretty much ALL featuring the best of British raconteurs... the Bill Connolly one went on to be a classic, but the Spike Milligan one was also great, Dame Edna, and I think I remember a Tommy Cooper one as well. Probably all on youtube!

[@MrHammerkop]

In the four seconds from 8:50, Peter Ustinov's utterly masterful insight and consummate acting have captured a quintessence of Englishness through the butler. No script, no props, no costume. Ephemeral, minimalist, this is a thespian equivalent of the Zen brush stroke.

[@barryryan8267]

I thought the same.... perfect in its minimalism.

[@budbutley532]

@@barryryan8267 Brevity is the soul of wit

[@markcargill9734]

TeeHHee

[@dw8477]

So skilled to act between 3 characters plus his own narration without hesitation

[@roc7880]

Unless you live in Britain you cannot get it. I remember the terror of trying to understand the language people spoke in my first week in England. Like a carnival of accents

[@micklenihan5206]

This man is an absolute genius we should grieve his passing I feel privileged thank you Mr Ustinov

[@royporter4232]

The World is a poorer place by his passing. A genius no less.

[@budbutley532]

But you can own a full set of Ustinov CDs

[@predragbalorda]

And to think that the audience was chock full of todays "geniuses" who were all in awe...

[@SexRealist301]

I wish he was still with us. He would have been 101 6 days ago.

[@chrlz904]

@@budbutley532 àq1q2aaà were

[@garethfieldstead7547]

Forgive me I had actually forgot the genius of this man. As already mentioned you could listen to him all day. Crying with laughter. Nothing vulgar or offensive.

[@challenger2031]

Making people laugh is a very rare thing. Especially when it's done expertly.

[@rjo3737]

This awesome man was a couple of seats away from me on a night flight from Heathrow to San Francisco in 1990 - and he chatted to us all throughout the flight. On landing, as we plebs queued up at Customs, he was waived straight through with a "Mr Ustinov, nice to see you again, come straight through!"

[@VesaGuardian]

A true "renaissace man" . Knew everyone important in the day. Speaks languages just like that, makes impressions, sings like a bird and is witted beyond belief. And top of that, funny as hell.

[@lambtiger]

O

[@sugarbertie1143]

I have watched this many times and it always makes me laugh. Peter was an outstanding talent the likes of which we will never see again. What an amazing man he was , I could listen to him for hours. His ability to instantly be the person he is mimicking was legendary. What a great man.

[@graceygrumble]

Thank-you for this. I remember watching this with the whole family and crying with laughter. It brought back happy and hilarious memories.

[@mrsbrownandhercat]

For anyone outside the UK who may not know, and won't get the point, he mentions that his mother wondered why every railway station was called Bovril. It's a long-established kind of paste made from beef, and was at one time advertised using massive hoardings (bilboards) on railway stations, to be visible as the trains passed. Always much bigger than the station nameplates.

[@MichaelJonesC-4-7]

*mrsbrown andhercat* Thanks! I laughed yet again. ; )

[@YouzTube99]

@mrsbrown andhercat Thank you for that. As a Yank, I wondered to what he referred.

[@Brad4Ellis]

I’ll add my thanks, as well.

[@grassroot011]

Pashtet.

[@MsMesem]

Bovril is a beef-tea. Dried concentrated beef that you add hot water to making a fortifying drink served with buttered toast.

[@bsmith5970]

A gifted, brilliant man who was so much more than an actor. Where are people like that today in entertainment? Educated, witty, worldly, multi-lingual, shrewd, with an endless appetite for knowledge. I miss people like this in the entertainment industry.

[@yassersalem7992]

I'm 25 and I can clearly see how the ugly contrast of today and the previous generations. The only words I can use to describe what I've just seen is BRILLIANT............. JUST BRILLIANT.

[@richardthorpe3059]

Hi Yasser I'm 55 and I remember Ustinov, Niven, Borge etc. They were terrific and as funny to look back on now as they were then. However, with a lifetime ahead of you I am optimistic that there will be plenty of inovative humour in the future too.

[@tonewheel1773]

Hello Yasser. I pray yours and the next generation are exposed to great minds and new talent, the likes of Ustinov. This will only come about by comedians daring to use their intellect and the young willing to say no to crude and poor substitutes. You yourself have started the ball rolling by finding this BRILLIANT! Spread the word.

[@MsMesem]

Richard Thorpe I am not at all optimistic that another 'Ustinov' will be produced. Globalisation and the EU are flat out working to homogenise everyone and make sure that noble, educated, interesting and erudite people are unable to exist. Follow the French system and realise that everyone must be specialised in one field and one field only and that children should spend as little time with family as possible so that the state can mould them into EUites.

[@morganfisherart]

A possible candidate for Ustinovian brilliance: the multifarious Eddie Izzard?

[@rossking6362]

Yasser Salem (

[@vladdegs]

Found myself laughing out loud. What a tremendous personality and gifted man, totally irreplaceable, and sorely missed.

[@wasblindbutnowsee]

I'm an American, before listening to this I thought I spoke English.

[@jaywalker3087]

😂😅

[@peterKåwe]

😅😅😅

[@henri372]

Drawing on my fine commmand of language I said ... nothing

[@wasblindbutnowsee]

@@henri372 Ha ha ha , ho ho ho , hee hee hee.

[@jonathanmills5662]

I haven't watched this in ages. Ustinov is the consummate raconteur. Articulate, elegantly spoken and effortlessly amusing. Utterly wonderful.

[@DG-mv6zw]

Not only the best "An Audience With..." One of the most entertaining pieces of tv I've ever seen. And I've seen a lot! Thanks so much for posting this gem. Ustinov has got to be the number 1 dinner party guest. I'm a Scot and enjoyed Billy Connolly's audience, but Ustinov is in a completely different league.👍

[@annemariefleming]

One of the greatest raconteurs of the 20th century, and so talented that he made a conspicuous success in everything he did.

[@viggosimonsen]

Peter Ustinov - a name I have known since my childhood - but never really experienced. This is simply sublime - I have never seen a performer or entertainer of this caliber. This is simply a class of its own

[@naulahka1]

Peter Ustinov, how we miss his universality, intellect, humour and inclusiveness.

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

But he never talks about his famous relative, Benois.

[@robkunkel8833]

He has the ability to draw an audience deeply into a story … he can go 10-15 seconds just making faces and then deliver a subtle punch line that the audience loves. He makes something that is just silly into something that is side-spitting hilarious.

[@jezt42]

30 years on and this still has me crying with laughter.

[@sagte1]

I agree

[@andrealuisecandido7372]

The STaTe of AuaTria was no Colony STaTe of GB never AT no point

[@ronfleitman9559]

@@andrealuisecandido7372 ..

[@martijnspruit]

He begins at around three and half minutes in, and it simply never stops...

[@jezt42]

@@martijnspruit 👍😊

[@DasHearach]

I'd forgotten how brilliant this man was. Fabulous to see this. KZbin has so many great memories to show us.

[@KeithDec25]

A TRUE RENAISSANCE MAN... with some of the best timing in delivering his impressions... piercing without be cruel or malicious-hilarious...

[@philiplee682]

As a raconteur, he was non pareil.

[@andrewexcell]

Had the privilidge of meeting him around 1975. My father was his biggest fan. We were staying at The Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, dining at la Normandie restaurant. Ustinov was at the next table, dad sat there for ages compling something clever to say to him finally "Mr Ustinov may your shadow never diminish." Ustinov turned to my father we made introductions and he replied "Unless its a sunless day". Will never forget it.One of the most educated, erudite raconteurs that this world has ever produced, and had the privildge to meet. :)

[@MaskedMan66]

"Genius" is a word that has lost its meaning as it's bandied about too much now, but when it meant something, it definitely applied to this man.

[@HolgerRuneFan]

Contrast this genius to the celebrities of today. It's almost unbelievable how stupid people have become. Ustinov was a complete genius, what a legend!

[@larrycrowley823]

Not stupid comedy has evolved . The soaps have reduced peoples intelligence and ability to enjoy each others idiosyncrasies

[@miyoshiumeki]

I always loved this guy. He was a riot. There was a great 60 minutes with him and Pavarotti together it was wonderful.

[@ruthlewis6678]

Dearly love this wonderful man. I also enjoyed seeing the audience. All those fantastic faces. I may not remember the names but I will never forget the faces.

[@GeorgeMorgan6600]

@Hello there, how are you doing this blessed day?

[@theRappinSpree]

As kid in the 80s he was Dr Snuggles & the voice of Prince John, now as a +40 year old man he still fascinates me just as much as he did then but for different reasons. What an absolutely wonderful genius person Peter Ustinov was. I could listen to him all day long. RIP

[@charlesdavis7087]

I've watched this "Audiance..." at least six times and every time I laugh my head off. What a truly incredible and keen observer of life Peter was. May he live in our hearts forever. CVD

[@lostyourmind2529]

He was brilliant and the bit about Queen Mary priceless

[@ReiverBlue1971]

One of the most funny, witty, clever and eloquent gentleman ever to grace our shores! The only person even slightly close is a current national treasure, Stephen Fry. We're haemorrhaging, even bleeding out, when it comes to wonderful people like these

[@johnnybrighton9156]

A tour de force - thanks for uploading. Years ago I was in the audience for a similarly amusing Clive James programme in which he interviewed Ustinov for an hour. After Ustinov left, James confided quietly to the audience that as an interviewer he had been somewhat worried whether he would ask Ustinov the right question. Of course it didn't matter: the man had such a fund of knowledge and stories that he could probably do 60 minutes off the cuff on the opening of a sliding door. What a wonderful chap Ustinov was.

[@ItzMeOB]

One that understands the German language can relate to this hilarious , wonderful man. So remarkable, brilliant and humble person. I love his movies especially his role as Monsieur Poirot. He was always my fav. Immensely missed.

[@hughmacfarlane9662]

It's late and I'm watching this in bed. I know for certain that I will wake in the middle of the night laughing unexplicibly over this outragously funny and talented man.

[@pondgazer1]

Almost 2022 and I still find this man fantastically entertaining. I cried so many tears of laughter during this. Just brilliant. Incomparable and sadly Irreplaceable.

[@mariaJChantre]

Absolutely Brilliant. 😂❤

[@stanleybuchan4610]

In those days, it was people like Peter who were on our TV screens; people from whom you could learn something. What we have nowadays is a reflection of how far we have descended: moron TV.

[@KenHarrington32]

Peter was absolutely BRILLIANT at what ever he turned his hand to, His genius voice's and well travelled brain gave all of us a fantastic memory of him.

[@adamlasry5225]

Good bless you, Mr Ustinov! Some people are born to brighten our lives… World citizens…Loved by people everywhere.

[@davidmccarthy2200]

Genius! never a dull moment with this funny & wise man, I could watch and listen to him all day.

[@RS-yj3gn]

I've watched this so many times in as many years and will watch it more. Simply a brilliant performance by Sir Peter, and being German myself, I appreciate his humor. Thank you for uploading this video!

[@christopherlovelock9104]

How very nice to hear an hour of jokes, and anecdotes without any sly double meanings or a solitary swear word. The World is not always a better place without these men who were truly greats in their profession.

[@ianbentley7276]

Well said.

[@sutherland1076]

Christopher Lovelock qa

[@GrumblingGrognard]

You got old-timer syndrome. Understandable, but Sir Ustinov was not only great, a Hollywood great and a global super star for decades; he truly was one of a kind. You can't compare him to "acts of today" in or any era and be fair.

[@email4jsmits]

Christopher Lovelock idiot

[@wandelust]

I could listen to him for hours

[@philipcarthy2977]

I remember watching an audience with Peter ustinov originally, I'm now watching it again and it's as brilliant as when it first aired, I could listen to this man forever ,his knowledge and obviously his willingness to absorb and integrate new culture into his life is just fantastic, and for him to share this is just ingenious, wonderful man wonderful actor wonderful comedy But most of all a wonderful human being. So sadly missed

[@kazb5824]

Sums up perfectly what I was thinking

[@robinsinpost]

Ustinovs father, Jona Freiherr von Ustinov, was of Russian, German, Polish, and Ethiopian and Jewish descent. Peter's paternal grandfather was Baron Plato von Ustinov, a Russian noble, and his grandmother was Magdalena Hall, of mixed German-Ethiopian-Jewish origin. Ustinov's great-grandfather Moritz Hall, a Jewish refugee from Kraków and later a Christian convert and colleague of Swiss and German missionaries in Ethiopia, married into a German-Ethiopian family. Peter's paternal great-great-grandparents (through Magdalena's mother) were the German painter Eduard Zander and the Ethiopian aristocrat Court-Lady Isette-Werq in Gondar. Ustinov's mother, Nadezhda Leontievna Benois, known as Nadia, was a painter and ballet designer of French, German, Italian, and Russian descent. Her father, Leon Benois, was an Imperial Russian architect.

[@ichabodon]

What a great person he was. He was a real polymath. He could talk for hours entertaining people. And a great actor of course. We will not see the likes of his kind for some time.

[@ripme6616]

Interesting' none the less

[@roc7880]

And such ancestry could find a home only in Britain. The greatest melting pot ever

[@daviddavies2072]

Very good show , with a much missed man , 🙏🇬🇧❤️

[@deniseg-hill1730]

They don't have brilliant people like him around these days.

[@psmith4980]

I have always enjoyed Peter Ustivov's excellent acting but didn't know how wonderfully humorous and entertaining he was. What a pleasure to have listened to him. Hope there are more gems of his to find on youtube.

[@anthonyellis3613]

The anecdotes about his time in the Army are the funniest, most well delivered stories I have ever heard. “Any cake?” 🤣🤣

[@davidkyle5017]

How delightful. As someone who comes from an English family (in America), I can appreciate the English love of language and nuance. Hopefully, people recognized the number of famous people in the audience, what an evening. The range of his impressions from Reagan (for those of us old enough to remember) to Jackie Stewart calling a race are peerless and priceless. I just watched a movie yesterday "The way ahead" (1944) a war film with a very young Peter Ustinov as a North African Inn owner, so I was delighted to see this video today. God bless.

[@TellyWatcher1997]

He had Ethiopian, Palestinian, German, Russian and French heritage - very mixed like many Brits. He was an international star though born in London.

[@mackiceicukice]

I have seen this so many times and I still cry with laughter...genius, genius

[@mrsbrownandhercat]

@ byam - me too, and I find something new every time. There should be another word for a genius of this quality.

[@A1Motivator]

I agree

[@anthonydrummond3525]

Me too, and his humour breaks me up every time.

[@felixreali7101]

I felt like the luckiest teenager in the world when I met this great man in Paris. I spotted him in one of the many parks (where he was filming a documentary). He was gracious enough to talk to me (and all of the group I was with: school-trip). And believe it or not, it was exactly on my 16th b-day)...talk about a nice birthday present!

[@eytan01]

Luck you

[@shaneroper477]

Brilliant man! From the moment of his first anecdote, too his last, your face has a permanent smile in readiness for a full on laugh you just know is coming. Well worth watching.

[@jamesdrynan]

A star- studded audience gathering to hear the eloquent and entertaining Ustinov. An evening unlike anything that happens today.

[@juliehanns802]

I miss this incredible man and his amazing stories.

[@GeorgeMorgan6600]

@Hello there, how are you doing this blessed day?

[@johnalcorn8079]

He was sooo entertaining and very well versed.A wonderful memory,he could write best selling books,A good actor and brilliant one man show.This is wonderful entertainment.

[@bbtablet]

For the last 30 years since seeing this live our family always responds, when asked what we would like with a cup of tea, with a screwed up face a la Ustinov: "Any cake?"

[@MOGGS1942]

I had the great pleasure of seeing this genius in his one man show. I couldn't believe my luck. To be in the same City as him, let alone the same building. He is quite irreplaceable.

[@marybarton6233]

moggs i

[@anthonywilliams9852]

How lucky you were!

[@ginnypurdey1]

Loved every minute of Peter's absolute genius.

[@wengen2007]

A wonderful performance from a man of many talents. His timing and story telling - perfection.

[@BobFarnell]

This is a really Class Comedy Act, No Swearing , No Insults Positively Great!!

[@DINOLOVER6717]

Not only is he brilliant with his comedic timing but also he knows every single person in the audience! Just because you’re in the same field doesn’t mean you know or met every one. Nevermind the politicians and royalty he’s met. What an extraordinary man. I just want an hr to chat with him...

[@marlenedesouza7089]

Utube GRATZI!

[@FACELOWNER]

What a wonderful life this man had, an absolute pleasure just listening to him.

[@jackjamesgodsell9586]

Rest In Peace Peter Ustinov (1921 - 2004)

[@octo.lina69]

Peter was revered as one of the world's truly legendary entertainers. As an actor, producer, director, novelist, playwright, and columnist, his body of work was thoroughly impressive. RIP Legend❤︎

[@daveybalmer]

Who among us would have had the life, the exposure, the observances, and the genius to absorb both the minutia and the world events to be able to weave such an entertaining and richly documented retrieval as does Mr. Ustinov? His glorious ability to utter in every world accent all of the hilarious happenings is par excellence. I hope the Americans enjoyed his devastatingly accurate portrayal of Ronald Reagan in which the latter's pathetic grasp of things in general was frightfully on display. Ustinov, to quote Kipling, was truly a man who could "walk with kings, nor lose the common touch". Some people were simply born to be listened to while others create a mad dash for the exits. And in all of this, we get the sense that he was barely scratching the surface and that lurking just behind every word spoken was an even greater story if only time could have permitted it! Nobody does this today and the world is poorer for it!

[@WintersWar]

Agreed. A great analysis of this talented man. but you do realize he was doing comedy? Queen Mary didn't really speak like that, nor did Constant Lambert. And since you brought up the so called "accurate description" of the President Reagan bit, that should wake all of us Americans up about how "frightening" he was. I didn't take it that way at all. Reagan was a very sharp individual, many of us Americans appreciated him as President (sorry) . He was older and was often lampooned at that time for being absent-minded by all sorts of comedians, I laughed at that too, and even this bit made me laugh..but I also realize it was exaggeration for comedic effect. You didn't.

[@vempatiguru]

Ustinov was last man to interview Indira Gandhi. She was assassinated later. He had a rare sense of history. Amazing person and a more amazing personality.

[@Umbazooksus1]

Patrick McKenna , thank you for summarizing how I felt. Clearly Ustinov was a great man with an incredible intellect. However, intellectual ability is not measured solely in mimicking traits or the deftness at associations with humor. Reagan had huge intellect and steered a great country in the proper direction against a tidal wave of horribly liberal Americans and godless communists. Charles Darwin, maybe it was Reagan’s belief in God you so despise that causes you such angst?

[@donaldmusgrove3835]

Sisters

[@TheDoctor1225]

@@Umbazooksus1 3 years late to the party though I am, I will agree with your assessment. I will also say, though, that I felt it was a shame that he took such a tired, overworked route as to mock Reagan and make him appear as a doddering old fool, even done for comic effect. Having been alive during his time in the Presidency and now, in the time after his death seeing how history has reevaulated him and his Presidency, with even his detractors speaking of the work he did and how well he did it, his "jokes" aged poorly, in my opinion. Sounds to me like "Charles Darwin" is just another in a long line of tired revisionists who feel it appropriate to sit and yap at the people who shaped and made the world that they now live in, while spitting on them at the same time.

[@roberthastings8471]

There is not a comedian today who is good enough to clean his shoes.

[@mrsbrownandhercat]

@ Max - but not much else.

[@c.a.g.3130]

No, I think they're good enough to clean his shoes.

[@brianandmyrabowden6699]

Robert Hastings 2za

[@kenlieck7756]

@@c.a.g.3130 Sadly, the majority of today's comics receive next to no training or apprenticeship under the auspices of a qualified tanner, cobbler or bootblack, and the world is poorer for it. The late Mitch Hedberg had amassed some degree of skill in the related art of the pedicure by the time of his passing, but most social historians regard even this as a case of "too little, too late".

[@patricewilcox792]

Replies seem to cover it All . GOOD MAN HE WAS A BLESSING TO MANY. THANK YOU FOR POSTING.......... PAW

[@steffenrosmus9177]

I had the fortune to met him at an small theater - 120 seats or so - in Germany in the 1980ies . When we arrived Sir Peter stood at the doorway greeting everyone , intriducing homself and asking for the nanes of the visitors. During the show he built in the name of every visitor or asked him/her an question. And no one was left out. At the end 30 minutes standing ovations for him.

[@jvdesuit1]

What a great artist so sad that he's not with us anymore...

[@saltburner2]

Surely the greatest raconteur and mimic of all time. And what an audience!

[@kingy002]

I agree with the raconteur comment. From what I have seen only David Niven, Stephen Fry, and maybe Kenneth Williams, at a pinch, come close to him.

[@tonewheel1773]

I absolutely loved Peter Ustinov from a very young age. I was fascinated by his linguistics and personal experiences. Intellect, humility, wit, charm and compassion encompassed this gentle man. The world today is empty without such giants. Alarmingly, our own intelligence is being continually assaulted by depraved individuals intent on dumbing us down with substandard, vulgar or drug-fueled rhetoric. In my opinion, those who would argue against this point of view, were never in possession of an athletic and well utilized brain to start with. As they say... humour is knowledge. Without it, ignorance is a sad and dangerous thing.

[@MickPsyphon]

Peter Ustinov was a truly unique marvel! A pleasure to watch and listen to, whether on the stage, or on screen.

[@Actingskint]

Today we are flooded with Zelebrity reality Tv shows , back then Witty , gifted , intelligent humanitarians such as this man ,graced our screens . People like Billy Connolly ,certainly inherited some of the traits that this man possessed , but Peter Ustinov was a true one of a kind . A man who Kings, Queens and Prime ministers looked to for advice , a man who could hold court with the best of them , a story teller so gifted he could summon up a cast of a thousand characters . He was an actor, writer , ambassador for peace .... a man of so many talents , it was impossible to define him . He was many things to many people . He is sorely missed .