Ask an actor: Terence Stamp | BFI

Terence Stamp has had a fascinatingly versatile career, ranging from Hollywood blockbusters (Superman, 1978) to smaller, more surprising fare (Federico Fellini's Toby Dammit, 1968). To mark our BFI Southbank celebration of this remarkable work, Terence answers your questions submitted through Twitter and Facebook.
Discover our Terence Stamp season: bit.ly/KTzYIs

[@lilcicero77]

I met him a number of times. Very down to earth, and very gracious. Totally without pretension.

[@craigsimpson1230]

Every time I see Terence, I've always felt inclined to kneel before this man.

[@Elodie109]

Love Mr. Terence Stamp ever since I saw him in Priscilla. Such a brilliant actor! Wish him all the best!

[@user-ic7be7oo2t]

А я видела только Коллекционер.Потрясающий актёр!!!и Харизматичный.Красивый и мистический в этом фильме.

[@TheGoldcountry]

One of the greatest villains in films ever.

[@generalzod7959]

Oh yes indeed!

[@jamesamick2945]

I love the fact that he played zod and Joe el too, in the tv series Smallville.

[@db-ex2yq]

a great british actor and should have been given more leading roles far more superior than some actors of today underestimated in my view

[@vaccumsealed]

This man is by FAR... one of the best villains in a comic related film or possibly one of the best villains PERIOD! He always strikes a chord of superior confidence as General Zod and does it unlike any other actor ever could with his low key voice but superior instinct of knowing what he wants and knowing that hes gonna get it. "You are not the president. One who leads so many couldnt possibly kneel so quickly." "Im the one they call president. I'll kneel if it will save lives." "It will...starting with your own."

[@oddbod8655]

I love this bloke. He's always carried a real presence in everything I ve seen in him. God bless you Terence.

[@elizabethhenshaw1052]

I absolutely love Terence Stamp's voice!!! I love you, Ramsley!!! You're always in my heart!!!

[@britishfilminstitute]

From Priscilla to Pasolini, Terence Stamp answers your curious questions with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye...

[@hifiandrew]

Such an incredible actor-- true story: it was 30 years before I realized General Zod and Bernadette were the same actor. He played Bernadette so passionately, so genuinely, so convincingly, I have a hard time believing she wasn't a real person starring in her own movie. The highest compliment an actor can receive is to play a character so well, the audience believes the character is a real person. Terence Stamp is among the few who achieved that.

[@Bendoverandgrabyourankles]

I could listen to him talk for hours. Love the cheeky smile at the end.

[@elizabethhenshaw1052]

You have the most beautiful voice, Terence Stamp! I love you, my man!

[@walteraprichard6456]

Nobody will replace Terence as the one of the best villian's as General Zod in Superman 2.

[@mikebasil4832]

Thank you, Terence. I will always remember you best for playing Zod and for The Limey.

[@Theodorej1960]

Terence, you did a WONDERFUL job on PQOD!! Thank you for saying "yes". ;)

[@tomhamilton5261]

Brilliant actor. Wonderful as Wilson in “The Limey”

[@elfsieben1450]

The role of a lifetime: Great performance, great movie overall. Roles like this are hard to find. Did he ever get another opportunity to shine in a cinematic gem of comparable magnificence? I hope so. Ah, I'll have to rewatch "The Limey".

[@tomhamilton5261]

@@elfsieben1450 totally agree.He was brilliant as General Zod in Superman and another one worth checking out is the film he was in called “The Hit” also with the great John Hurt. Terence Stamp always shows a quiet intensity to his roles. I want to see him in “The Collector” as well.

[@elfsieben1450]

@@tomhamilton5261 Oh, quiet intensity, I like that phrase, I think it suits his style very well.

[@tomhamilton5261]

@@elfsieben1450 your welcome. There are a few actors that have this quality. Ones that come to mind going back to the best of Hollywood with actors such as Paul Muni in “I am a fugitive from a Chain Gang” and Spencer Tracy in “Fury” and “Bad Day at Black Rock”. There are just some who command by their presence when you watch them. Terence Stamp is definitely one of those actors.

[@DMalltheway]

He was great in Wall Street as Gekko’s main rival.

[@downhill240]

While life is about planning and persevering, there's just a lot of luck involved in it. Some is bad, some is good. The art of living is to minimize the damage of the bad luck and maximizing the advantage of the good!

[@MGSBigBoss77]

Brilliant actor, he's known for a variety of film roles (General Zod, Wilson, Bernadette Bassinger). Over the years though i was struck by the fact he released a cooking book though? "The Stamp Collection" Got it 6 months recently, the man certainly has his talents indeed. Would like to meet him so i could get it signed one day!

[@beauutleykingofthenorth393]

A very inspiring gentleman

[@JDPwatching]

He's fantastic in "The Collector." One of those performances where the actor conveys the most feeling and information when he's not speaking rather than when he is. The scene where Eggar tries to seduce him, destroying his ideal of her, is probably his best, and you can feel his illusions being shattered within him as you watch. Phenomenal! 🎭♥

[@williamr3840]

Brilliant as always! He should be in far more films! :0)

[@user-ic7be7oo2t]

Да!!!

[@jamescrawley7993]

🎉He will be known to be General Zod, in Superman! Always demanding that one “kneel before Zod!” That’s what I remember as a child watching Superman.

[@jeffsmith2022]

He will always be 'Billy Budd' to me...and I loved him...

[@MetalDetectingRussia]

Which movie?

[@tbasparagi]

GRAZIE, Terence!!! I just uploaded my fun reenactment of your role in Fellini's "Toby Dammit" as a loving tribute🥰 (First saw "Tre Passi nel Delirio" in 1995)

[@duffer9db]

I remember TS as he describes, as at the time I was working of off Bond Street. Lunchtimes I would go for a stroll and would on occasion pass the rear of Albany which was where he resided at that time and would often see him coming or going. I will never forget how free he seemed without the encumbrance of the 9 - 5 routine.

[@Johny40Se7en]

It's not just films Terrence Stamp is renowned for. He was a right gem playing the baddie in the Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion game. Mankar Camoran - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXjWoniciLR9hbc

[@mlondon1157]

That little smile at the end 🥰

[@TimSimms7]

A consummate professional. A true artist.

[@karinaandersen2618]

I fell in love with him in the late 70's, & yes I know that Mr Stamp doesn't do women, but oh so beautiful delightful & his voice calms me

[@kelman727]

karina andersen Um. Dear. Terry shagged more birds than Mick Jagger. Kinda famous for it, in 60s London.

[@user-ic7be7oo2t]

Пртягательный.....

[@karina-jx4zv]

@@kelman727 wow okay, I suppose it was trial & error

[@BenjaminGessel]

I have immense respect for Terence... If I ever met him in person, geez... I mean, it would be like, "Your wish is my command." With John Williams-the film composer of course, it would be more like, "Is this really happening???" 😬😮😀

[@darkhall8227]

great actor

[@afaith1940]

Terry even gets a mention in The Kinks song "Waterloo Sunset" I believe he would have been filming" Far from the madding crowd" .

[@kilenibay8103]

He really scares the s*** out of me when I see him taking roles. His presence is beyond impressive and his ways of prtraying characters are impeccably convincing

[@stwads]

A most interesting man. I am pleasantly surprised I always thought he was just a pretty face. Very impressive!

[@conniecarroll7222]

Great actor he has gotten sexier as he's grown older

[@DerekLyons]

I love Terence

[@ColtComanche]

Tears of Joy

[@rebeccaburke9009]

Love Terence Stamp. Great in anything he does. ❤❤

[@JakeRyan1968]

Great actor, very interesting man. Hope he keeps presenting us with his rich talent for many years.

[@gyrogearloose1345]

I Love this! An exceptional man, An icon in the movies for five or six decades. And so very well-balanced!

[@FingerBreakerWu]

He wins…he always wins.

[@VallaMusic]

this video's so worth watching for the last question and the consciousness expanding answer

[@nigelfitz9871]

a brilliant actor love to know what meditation he practices.....

[@gyrogearloose1345]

I believe he is a follower of Krishnamurti . . .

[@philipmartinhammond3337]

Great Actor

[@shinraninja]

hes voice is great

[@bretthompson825]

Only an Englishman could actually zero in on how to act and describe it. Terence very generous in his interviews.

[@suealby1]

Fascinating insight.

[@mella751]

I noticed TS is different in every role to the point I don't recognize him: only giveaway is the eyes which are deep and mysterious as the ocean 🌊🐠 just watched limey which is so compelling despite being so brutally raw and gritty

[@elfsieben1450]

That's the kind of role, acting, presence, embodiment that you seek for in a movie, but rarely is it delivered. Terence Stamp brought an immediacy and a depth to the role which made it shine and stand out and at the same time grounded it in humanity with just a glimpse into the frailty inside the hardened core of this character. Very energetic and smooth acting indeed, blending seemlessly into each scene and very much in synch with the environment and the other members of the cast - no ego involved, never trying to steal scenes. "The Limey" is such an underrated movie, a narrative masterpiece, beautifully shot and edited, focused, melancholy and commanding, and the most honest revenge movie I have ever seen. Also a great character study of a trickster who put way too much on his plate - and yet survives because, well, he IS a trickster after all. Glad to hear that Soderbergh on this set was not only a movie making genius but also easy to work with as a person. Terence Stamp here comes across as a very grounded, thoughtful, humble and honest person with a sense of humour. Nice video!

[@jacquelinedalby8543]

Brilliant man I could listen to him all day .. funny this but he reminds me of Ray Davis now that's ironic 😄

[@bsdgffishtuna5186]

You tell him, you tell him I'm coming. Tell him I'm fucking coming

[@DerekLyons]

My late father Peter was with Terry in India at the Ashram in Poona . They were following Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Derek

[@armandos.gsalesgames7896]

na minha opinião foi o melhor vilão do filme supermam

[@kingloz36]

Amazing!! :)

[@djpekky]

To me, he is the real old Magneto for Fassy's young Magneto. (I love Ian McKellen too, don't get me wrong).

[@jstephenj]

What could Terrence Stamp in 2000 have brought to the character? How would he have played it differently from Zod? Would and should he have played a more aggressive rendition of it than McKellan? Could he have played Gandalf as well?

[@jstephenj]

I loved McKellan as Magneto and Gandalf, btw, but was an interesting what if to ponder.

[@elfsieben1450]

@@jstephenj People always bring up Zod as a reference point, but I don't see why when in Terence Stamp we get an actor who can transform himself into any role, really. I am pretty sure he would have given a Magneto role just this - Magneto. And while both characters, Magneto and Zod, have lost a lot in their past, this came to pass at very different stages of their lives, and everything else about them is very different. So the comparison does not have much of a basis, really. Well, I am not much into these serialized comic franchises anyway, I prefer standalone tales. The greatest role I have seen Terence Stamp in so far has been "The Limey". But I intend to seek out more. Great actor!

[@elfsieben1450]

@@jstephenj I guess he would have been an interesting choice in both roles, indeed.

[@MRTAC012]

Everyone saying Zod and I'm here like Ramlsey my boy

[@iadorelife]

A good chap old stamp

[@jh230377]

Kneel before Zod!!!

[@marblejester]

Mankar Camoran!

[@FrancescaSilveri]

Watch it, he smiles at the end :)

[@marcellagladden9812]

I love your movies Terence Stamp i do

[@llstarlight]

Sometimes the angst of the workplace makes the character happen

[@mickeydavoudi9211]

The true of voice of jor-el

[@plantpoweredjack9847]

Tunstell!

[@GreenmanXIV]

A long way from canal road E3, aint it Tel.

[@shtembyduelsson]

Mankar Camoran...

[@willl676]

"DAEDROTH! TAMRIEL AE DAEDROTH!"

[@europamacmillan9498]

Billy Budd

[@sianwarwick633]

Let's have a movie with him in it. No superheroes

[@julietalove44]

General zod😘😘

[@marcellagladden9812]

I think he shold make more movie

[@AlexEverettProjects]

This seems like YTP potential ;)

[@chrismc410]

Ask before Zod.

[@marcellagladden9812]

I think he cute i like him

[@thesparewheel]

stamp is a good guy its a shame his hair died but would haunt his head as seen in this vid. very spooky.

[@shipleyorion]

Yes man lol

[@ChimpScape]

He was the best voice actor in "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" and that's saying something seeing as Sean Bean and Patrick Stewart voice the two main characters in the game but Mankar Camoran had the most organic dialogue and with the voice of Terence, he is the perfect secondary antagonist.

[@marcellagladden9812]

I love Tour movies Terence Stamp i do

[@oinkdixon6805]

THANK YOU KINDLY ARE YOU A YARDY

[@marcellagladden9812]

He look funny thair ha ha

[@marcellagladden9812]

Why do es. He make more. Movies ?p

[@warreng675]

Guilty! Guilty!

[@MrAndrewhasty21]

Terence Stamp You ever played in the Ghostbusters go to hell? I just wanted to know. Thanks

[@kelman727]

Andrew Joseph Hasty ?

[@stpyx8140]

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

[@marcellagladden9812]

Terence stamp Why

[@sandrashevey8252]

I`d stick with Chita Rivera if I were you. The `actress` obviously was having tea at the precise moment. She probably is acting quietly on the part of the director. A growth move`? More like a fungus! which does not go away!!

[@futuregirl8803]

Three piece suite 🤣 🤣 🤣 (film poor cow)

[@elfsieben1450]

I'll have to watch it when I can get hold of it.

[@futuregirl8803]

@@elfsieben1450 it's a brilliant film I have it on dvd I've seen it cheap enough on ebay. Terence stamp refers to his man parts as a three piece suite it just cracks me up every time 😀👍

[@elfsieben1450]

@@futuregirl8803 That's a good one! :)

[@willscottsmith8360]

I still see him as an evil demonic spirit

[@kingsnake23]

ZOD!!!

[@goldiffworks]

HAH! YOU'RE DEAD MATE!