John Hurt on Paul Scofield

[@adamredfield]

I am so happy to see this clip. My father (an actor named William Redfield) played Richard Rich (the same part John Hurt played so perfectly in the film) with Paul Scofield in the Broadway production. Being a toddler at the time, I was too young to see the stage play but I discussed it a lot with my father when I was a teenager. He talked often about how great Scofield was in the part and what a wonderful man Scofield was. But he said something about this very line Hurt is discussing. He said that it was the only line in the play Scofield read differently every show. Some days, he did play it just for laughs, perhaps if he thought the pathos had gone too far. Some performances he read it chillingly, the audience would gasp at the coldness. (Winter is, remember, one of the seasons.) Sometimes he read it with pity for Rich. And some were like this, how he did it in the film: a beautiful blend of all the seasons. What an actor Paul Scofield was. And a kind man.

[@AishaVonFossen]

Wow, really? Your father knew Paul Scofield? That's amazing! Did you ever get to meet him yourself? I'm 28 now and I discovered this movie for myself when I was 16, absolutely love it. :) Though I'm afraid this is one of a few of More's lines that I don't understand. I think it has to do with of course More telling Rich how corrupt he's become in climbing to the top of society, but the end part "...but for Wales..." I never quite understood. I feel kinda dumb for not knowing its meaning, and I'd like a little clarity. LOL

[@georgeednie7723]

@@AishaVonFossen I've always interpreted it as More emphasizing how small a thing Richard has sold his soul for. It does seem like a line that could warrant multiple interpretations.

[@tomhamilton5261]

Your father was also a very gifted actor. Wonderful.in Cuckoo's Nest , Fantastic voyage and Death Wish among others. Would have loved to have seen Messrs.Redfield and Scofield in A man for all seasons. The film of it is simply perfect.music acting cast and direction by the great Fred Zinneman.

[@AishaVonFossen]

@@georgeednie7723 Ah, interesting. Yeah, that makes sense, Rich selling his soul for anything to climb the social ladder. Yup, sounds about right for Rich. LOL

[@LordTalax]

@@AishaVonFossen It was also about Rich selling his soul so cheaply. About betraying friends for so small a payment.

[@CrayCray9]

Sadly we also lost John Hurt too recently. They are not actors, they are artists.

[@michaelboyd4233]

Yes. That insight coming from Hurt is all the more meaningful after you've seen his range from Caligula to The Elephant Man

[@ImYourHuckleberry_29]

I'd never heard of scofield when I watched this film. Less than halfway thru I got such an understanding of his character I was saying his lines before he said them. Remarkable actor and a great man from what I've read of him.

[@onceamusician5408]

Rich played by a VERY young John Hurt. i knew i recognized the face from somewhere but i could not place him even though i am well aware of John Hurt. THanks for putting a name to the face. BTW Richard Rich at that time ( 1535) was about 39 years old. casting was well done but not entirely accurate in terms of he age of the character

[@renatebraun7392]

I am delighted to hear this commentar from Mr. Redfields son. For many years i have a book written by mr. Wiliam Redfield." Letters from an actor. I love this book. It is absolutely fascinating

[@humptybum]

class.....

[@gerardmackay8909]

Every actor was incredible in this film; Scofield, Hurt, Davenport, McKern, (a stellar cameo from Orson Welles) and an absolutely superb turn by the incomparable Wendy Hiller. Susannah York was so sweet but with a very sharp mind and Colin Blakeley was comedically shifty as the servant Matthew. The only one I wasn’t sure about was Robert Shaw, as Henry the VIII, who I felt played that near psychotic despot too much for laughs (still a compulsive performance)

[@WildRover1964]

nice to hear a considered point of view. I think Robert Shaw worked for me - I think he gave it the sort of braggadoccio I associate with HVIII. Orson Welles's scene is mesmerising. It's almost like they cut a hole in a Titian painting and he stuck his head through and rumbled his lines. It's an amazing piece of set and costume design and of course screen acting - do as little as possible. But not only a beautiful film, but one I'd be happy to just listen to as the dialogue puts it miles above most other films.

[@gerardmackay8909]

@@WildRover1964 ‘cut a hole in a Titian painting’ what a brilliant phrase and I’m with you 100%. I didn’t NOT enjoy Shaw I just see Henry as quietly sinister rather than ebulliently so (but this scene is probably the mid 1520s when he was 35 ish and less twisted by lack of progress on the divorce and he hadn’t yet sustained the jousting injury which ruined his health). Anyway seems that we both treasure this gem of a film and the glorious performances by the entire cast aided and abetted by the best screenplay ever written. Hats off to Robert Bolt.

[@danbrillman5129]

Subtle but wonderful insight

[@quadbravo]

Excellent clip and insight.

[@LPJack02]

RIP Paul Scofield (January 21, 1922 - March 19, 2008), aged 86 And RIP Sir John Hurt (January 22, 1940 - January 25, 2017), aged 77 You both will be remembered as legends.

[@johncampion2583]

Your father was a wonderful actor. Loved his book about " hamlet" on Broadway.

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

These men were different. Requiescant In Pace.