Peter Ustinov does Charles Laughton Impressions

[@garethlock50]

How I miss the days when such eloquence, class and sophistication were so readily on show!!!

[@WinrichNaujoks]

In fairness, there has never been anyone like him either.

[@b.deville3236]

@@krishanchoudhury Bullshit. The Charles Manson Generation ruined the culture. You only have to look at a monster like Howard Stern and know how he would have been received by the pre-Woodstock society to see the difference.

[@TheShootist]

Stephen Fry. Douglas Murray.

[@lesleyhogg2495]

You are not alone. Now it's clicks on tik tok!!! Who knew we'd disintegrate to mud so quickly? I Claidius for ever

[@SeanRCope]

Lol, getting old. Sound like your grandparents. Funny how much we love change when young and dislike it when we grow old.

[@rondunn4336]

One never gets a gossipy slant from Ustinov, just the facts without judgement as well was all his accents and nationalities. THE greatest raconteur without doubt.

[@dennisesplin3285]

An evening with Peter Ustinof was a bargain at any price. We all miss him greatly.

[@dennisesplin3285]

Thanks. I wonder what Peter would think about events in Ukraine and Russia. Civilisation has a thin skin. Life is cheap.

[@soeffingwhat]

@@dennisesplin3285 I think hed be appalled and would probably be on whatever boards of communication he could to try and end it asap.

[@dennisesplin3285]

@@soeffingwhat Peter was in a film with Humphrey Bogart. I can't remember it's title. I loved him in Topakaki. A brilliant heist film filmed in Istanbul. The most fascinating city in the World.

[@craigkdillon]

@@dennisesplin3285 We're No Angels. Humphrey Bogart, Alan Alda, and Peter Ustinov. Great film.

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

@@soeffingwhat Have to stop Putin first. That will end it.

[@IamKlaus007]

When Peter Ustinov passed away, the world became a poorer place. His interviews and acting roles put on display a man who was genuinely articulate, intelligent and talented with a presence of humility that is rarely seen in stars of his calibre. I wonder if it will ever be possible for our stars/role models of today to follow in the footsteps of such an incredible example of what human beings could be like if they put their minds to it.

[@gordonely6911]

Stars/role models of today (?). John Sayles 🩵 eg. 2004 Silver City ; 1988 Eight Men Out etc etc Of course if you literally mean today (2023) I’m stumped ! !

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

Would be nice.

[@jessewolf7649]

There are no stars or role models today. At least in Hollywood.

[@LorindaDriskill]

@@jessewolf7649Stephen Fry?

[@ianbannister8404]

Totally agree

[@quovadis5429]

A brilliant, witty and wickedly talented actor. Thank you, England.

[@mulokitanaka3642]

Russian, German, Polish, Ethiopian and Jewish descent

[@jasonallen9144]

And English born and bred.

[@Steve-q6l4v]

Both of them, 2 of my favorites.

[@andrewrussell4707]

PU happened to be born in England, but his father was naturalised German, his grandfather Russian. Had he been ‘English, born and bred’ he would have been a sour, bitchy, bloke with brown teeth!!

[@Glinkaism1]

He was Russian!

[@paulamiles9559]

Mr Ustinovs impressions of Olivier and Laughton are stellar 😀 Olivier calling everyone " dear boy"

[@Raukura42]

Totally. And especially the Richard III-like “the future”

[@stutzbearcat5624]

Makes me remember how much I LOVE CHARLES LAUGHTON!!

[@phils866]

Ustinov could have given a talk on how paint dries, and it still would have been interesting!

[@WhiteCamry]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJqUeIuogbF7oNU

[@budbutley532]

In some remote cranny of my memory I seem to recall that Ustinov began his magistral lecture on this very subject in AD 74 with Pliny the Elder on saturnism

[@Soundofsilence-j4d]

Allways like PETER GREAT ACTOR. DOES CHARLES LAUGHTON TO TEA. TWO BAD I WAS THERE I REMEMBER ALL MOVIES THEY DID. I LOVE TO SEE PETER TALK ABOUT TOPAKI. HOW WAS GREEK ACTRESS WAS IN REAL LIFE.

[@johnnydtractive]

Hollywood studios spend $100 million making films that are less entertaining than the half hour I just spent listening to Peter Ustinov talk into a single fixed camera with no props or set dressing to speak of. How does someone get this good at storytelling?

[@UWPower]

This is the best comment possible about this video, you’re so right!

[@ianbrewer4843]

Agree

[@stevenbowen7674]

Spot on!

[@Shimmy246]

His interviews are legendary. Fascinating man, fascinating life. If you haven’t seen them watch his appearances on Parkinson, hilarious as always.

[@bethocdunwitty6641]

Because the goal of the masters behind hollywood is to lower the morales and consciouness of the masses

[@divox9pqr]

He was a brilliant humorist, impressionist, author, and actor. Shame one can't live forever, Ustinov would have been a candidate for this task. He was wonderful.

[@lordyoehann1817]

I know what you mean. If only we could live forever. It's sad when great celebrities pass away. Loved his voice.

[@jimlaguardia8185]

Rodney Morgan Brown Good he is not around today; he would be dismayed and disgusted.

[@delenngm]

Jim LaGuardia On what basis are you saying that? Did you know the man or somehow have an insight into Ustinov’s mind? Unless you did that rather ungracious and presumptuous.

[@fireyflower6643]

dont forget, diplomat, linguist, UN Ambassador, friend to some very powerful people etc, but still was able to be with the 'common man'

[@robertalenrichter]

@@delenngm I don't think that it's ungracious or presumptuous to note that he was an urbane, sophisticated man with a wonderful command of the English language, and that precisely these qualities are today in precipitous decline, and that this may well have dismayed him, not to mention the catastrophic state of world affairs. I'm beginning to presume that the act of thinking itself is the real target of political correctness, any speculation, any form of imagination to be neutralised as a purported affront to human dignity.

[@michaelbrown984]

His like are few and far between..old school brilliance...

[@tbmike23]

I could listen to this man talk about anything endlessly. If only he had recorded all of my school lectures, I would've paid much closer attention.

[@JohnMcCulloch75]

Absolutely fascinating to see how he paints a scene like Rembrandt, only that he does so with words. What an absolute treasure.

[@pantsdid]

I never tire of listening to this man.. every word a delight. I was lucky enough once to get tickets to see him live at the Palladium in London, rarely has two hours passed so quickly. Absolutely without equal.

[@anthonygray9888]

We will never hear this level of eloquence of language again. We miss you.

[@mikaelabowen5781]

Peter Ustinov was a truly great man, there are too few people like him today. He is and will always be greatly missed.

[@sarahdixon6011]

There is nobody like him. There are many 'great' speakers, men, women and everything in between. Listen to BBC World Service or Radio 4 to find some of what you want for a good start. 😉

[@timcarpenter2441]

I still use “the sun’s over there” and “I tingle” to this day.

[@tarnsand]

His impressions of Charles Laughton had me laughing so hard I could hardly breathe. I could listen to Peter U talking all day. He is incredibly engaging. One has the feeling he is specifically conversing with you alone.

[@johnosman3550]

Very well put. He really had that gift.

[@overcamehim]

What a joy to listen to his vocabulary and syntax. How sadly rare. I never tire of him. Thank you for posting this.

[@MrDaiseymay]

Thank god for all the joy he had recorded, and his printed word.

[@Excalion88]

Not just in English. He was fluent in Russian, Spanish, French, German and Italian as well.

[@phylliselias]

The best ever raconteur - sorely missed by all of us who admired this giant of a personality.

[@roquefortfiles]

His flat American accents are brilliant.

[@branislavlazin9285]

Scene with Ustinov & Laughton in Kubrick's Spartacus, a dialog, is one of the very best in motion-picture history; in my humble opinion... dialog-wise anyhow. The finest possible acting.

[@arthursteven5601]

Total agree

[@sw7271]

I once saw Peter Ustinov in his one-man show. 2 hours of wit, entertainment and holding the audience in the palm of his hand. He could have gone on for a further 2 hours and it would have been no less enjoyable.

[@glendam1148]

I’ve always had a crush on Peter Ustinov. Wouldn’t it have been wonderful just to be around him and listen to him! He was brilliant.

[@guycmcd]

Always admired Mr. Ustinov. His education, eloquence, ability, humor, etc...RIP

[@steinwaygrande3971]

Did a hell of a lot for UNICEF and worked as a mediator by the world governments . A great man with a quick wit and a brilliant brain. Great comedian as well

[@ProfSteveKeen]

It was a brief but great pleasure of my life to once meet this man, and to experience his wit, wisdom, warmth and charm first hand.

[@Bobbnoxious]

What an extraordinary raconteur. I could listen to Ustinov for hours.

[@bobbywimsy6741]

Bobbnoxious yes yes me too, what vivid enunciation!!

[@tarnopol]

Check this out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZfbqXicmdKhlbs

[@John_Fugazzi]

He occasionally toured, just him on stage telling stories. I was fortunate enough to see him at one of these performances.

[@Alfredromeothatsme]

If you were to invite ten guests from history for a dinner party Ustinov would surely be on the list, could listen to his tales all day!

[@brianandrewstuart]

Brilliant man, brilliant wit. His impression of Laughton is brilliant

[@mark-shane]

The greatest storyteller we miss you Peter Ustinov

[@Outspoken.Humanist]

There is a distinct difference between ability learned from academic pursuit and that gained through experience of life. Ustinov possessed both in abundance but his facility as raconteur demonstrated how a life of varied experience can provide both a wealth of material and the confidence and erudition to share it with others. He was a unique and marvellous entertainer.

[@geosutube]

His mimicry of Olivier has me laughing still. I've saved the entire clip for the story of Huston and Olivier conspiring to rewrite the scene, with Laughton upsetting the whole thing!

[@Raukura42]

Totally! Right toward the end of it when he said “The future!” Very Olivier like in a Richard III sense.

[@MOGGS1942]

I had the great pleasure of seeing him live,in a one man show. Genius,genius,genius.

[@johncumiskey672]

Anyone who is interested in Charles Laughton, should watch Hobsons Choice , a true Classic. British actors, at their best , a Classic

[@reasonrestored9116]

He is absolutely amazing in that wonderful film

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

@@reasonrestored9116 And in a lot of other films. My favorite is Rembrandt and Ruggles of Red Gap.

[@normandduern2413]

Delightful. What a personality, what a mind, and . . . what a mimic!

[@wenglishsal]

A consummate professional, witty, extremely funny, accent raconteur and multi linguist.. Sir Peter was and still is an absolutely magical actor to watch, either on stage or film..

[@barrycross2585]

A Charles Laughton film favourite for me is not the Hollywood blockbusters, but Hobson's Choice, the quintessentially English film.

[@glennover6046]

Barry Cross Featuring a very young Prunella Scales.

[@tarnopol]

My favorite Laughton film is the one he directed but wasn't in, Night and the Hunter. Genius.

[@OldsVistaCruiser]

I liked "Jamaica Inn," but it was universally panned by critics.

[@wenglishsal]

Indeed, I second your sentiments.. I watched 'yet again' Hobson's Choice' last evening.. An absolutely corking film, all the actors were splendidly cast too.. :D

[@Concetta20]

I LOVE “Hobson’s Choice”! All the actors are brilliant in it, but of course Laughton shines.

[@chrisn7259]

Thanks for posting this. Ustinov was one of the truly rare artists of our time who never took himself too seriously.

[@daveydoodle52]

How did the interviewer manage to not repeatedly break out in laughter? This made my day. What a wonderful raconteur.

[@Skull10]

Awesome actor doing an awesome impression of an awesome actor!

[@shanekilpatrick3378]

Wonderful man. A great credit to the British acting community.

[@amandasmith2159]

I could listen to this magnificent, intelligent, funny, wonder of a man for the rest of my life. Thank you for the post.

[@spmoran4703]

He was scary as Nero in Quo Vadis . But, wow! What a performance . He was not scary in reality . And what a great story teller. No wonder Michael Parkinson had him as a guest so many time . A gentle man and a good entertainer as well .

[@rogeredwarrddeshon5000]

I mention that Nero was seventeen in 54AD when he became Emperor and he suicided in 68. I thought the actor should have been younger.

[@Edward1312]

This is hilarious in part and his Laughton impression is uncanny!

[@pantslizard]

Great man. Class act. Old school. A pleasure to listen to him speak.

[@goldskin1970]

pantslizard

[@pantslizard]

Neil Davies

[@bobbywimsy6741]

pantslizard what an impression he could do of our Mr. Twitler! One of the most perfevrly gifted mimics since the late David Frye!

[@whiskeyriver4322]

His resume fills more volumes than are in the Library of Congress. A brilliant man of extremely rare quality. A complete joy…...

[@c.johnson1691]

A man of many talents. I first saw him as Nero on a bed sheet in my church youth theater room. But I really loved “We’re NoAngels.” Such a touching Christmas movie.

[@monjiaitaly]

What an absolutely lovely, brilliant, charming man.

[@larrymiller4]

Ustinov was always enormously entertaining, and this was no exception. I laughed out loud.

[@jackthompson391]

If anyone hasn't seen Ustinov's performance in Quo Vadis I encourage you to do so. It's amazing.

[@elenavivi2662]

Jack Thompson I watched it a couple of months ago and I enjoyed it immensely. 👍

[@vashnanerada8757]

I remember seeing that years ago

[@Mamadukee1]

Wonderful film !!!!😊🇬🇧

[@brianohehir9515]

What a class act, could listen to him for hours!

[@Tmanaz480]

I love his over-the-top American accents.

[@jamesalexander5623]

I'm an American and Many Americans sound just like that!

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

How lucky we are to have gems like this to visit

[@mmjhcb]

He was a GREAT actor, wonderful raconteur, just a fabulous entertainer.

[@barsajordi]

this man was incredibly witty and funny. one of the funniest imitators I've ever seen.

[@axelsohn1454]

What an intellect, and what a delight.

[@micky4fun]

Absolutely brilliant! One of my favorite actors of all times.....I don't get tired of watching one of the great minds in cinema, either in film or interviews like this one.

[@porcospino289]

Crikey, the man was an absolute flaming *planetary treasure*.

[@bobbywimsy6741]

porcospino289 can't some private space contractor send Trump off to Mars or some other humor less life less domain?

[@genedryer-bivins8314]

@@bobbywimsy6741 Why in the world would you even mention that person on this page? No call for it, at all.

[@JeffW77]

I remember an awards show from childhood--could have been Oscars. MC maybe Bob Hope--said something to the effect of "what can we expect from someone whose initials are P.U.?...ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Peter A. Ustinov." That may have been 60 years ago, and it stuck with me all this time.

[@stephenreeds3632]

Watching Ustinov act is a masterclass in details. He underplays brilliantly.

[@M21L35]

One cannot help but to be enraptured by every new delivery of life's encounters by Peter. I could sit for hours listening to him expounding on his seemingly endless, episodic-like, enchanted life. His brilliant & worldly experiences are so refreshing & overwhelm me w/their scope.

[@bikerbisht110]

Best story teller ever, and certainly a great actor ... thanks for sharing this

[@coreylevi2328]

THE actor's actor and my personal idol 💖

[@billythedog-309]

Apart from Michael, Kirk Douglas had another son who tried his hand at comedy, but he wasn't particularly good. He was playing in Britain and wasn't going down well and he shouted 'l'm Kirk Douglas's son!' so one bloke stood up and shouted 'No! l'm Kirk Douglas's son!' Apparently true.

[@kennywowie]

brilliant bloke

[@YouzTube99]

@Billy the dog I don't care if that's true or not -- I love it!

[@NuNugirl]

You made up that story. You Sir, are a lying dog faced pony soldier.

[@reasonrestored9116]

I suspect it’s apocryphal, but it was worth telling lol

[@petem7118]

Watching him as a young man in WW2 films, I think he also wrote a few, are fascinating to watch especially as you picture him in later ‘bigger films’ to follow. One I recall was ‘The Way Ahead’ and another was ‘The New Lot’ and a smaller part in ‘One of Our Aircraft is missing’….. I think they can be found here on KZbin…. He had so much talent and his intellect was astounding…. Sorely missed…. Thank You for so much joy and wit….!

[@timsan55]

Great, lovely, wonderful, funny, and no bad language. How unfashionable

[@mjonir62]

A brilliant, articulate and funny man.

[@urbanwarrior3470]

love his facial transformation when he's doing Laughton

[@jeffkyler5660]

Such a brilliant and cultured gentleman.

[@Concetta20]

I’ve been a fan of Ustinov ever since I watched him play Blackbeard in “Blackbeard’s Ghost”, as a kid. He could broad comedy and he could do high drama, much like Laughton. His impressions are so fun! His Laughton voice and facial expression is so spot on.

[@somerledislay9987]

Brilliant perfomance Peter, one of your finest I dont know if you got an oscar . God bless

[@copferthat]

The brilliant all singing, all dancing Peter Ustinov. Do you think we'll ever get another like him? Unlikely

[@Katnip452]

Great actor, great raconteur…can’t think of anyone like this around these days.

[@jimnething1264]

before I saw this I never realized how hilarious Peter Ustinov could be! I can't stop laughing! LOL! R.I.P. Peter!

[@SamGainesinGboro]

Wow, fascinating interview! I could listen to Peter Ustinov for days ... Thanks for posting this!

[@Brace67]

I don’t recall a better impression of Charles Laughton and his story of Laughton being wrongly identified by two tourists was wonderful.

[@RosemaryAnnWanternaar]

What a fascinating raconteur was Peter Ustinov He has the art of holding ones attention with a free flowing mode of speech, He was also the most accomplished mimic which gave a marvellous dash of humour to all his interviews,

[@thomasreese5653]

I can listen to this man all day.

[@georgemanka]

Intelligence. Eloquence. Humour.

[@07regia]

Well thank you, Stonewall U., for those scenes you wrote. They've always been my favorite scenes in 'Spartacus.' "Yes that certainly sounds like a bad attack of dignity."

[@anton1990]

Peter Ustinov, one of the greatest raconteurs there ever was. And his Charles Laughton impression is uncanny!

[@jezt42]

Peter Ustinov, the dream dinner guest. I could listen to him all day. Thanks for uploading. 🙂👍

[@flylooper]

One of the absolute greats in the world of theatre and film

[@plazpastic]

Bob, I heard you on Gilbert Gottfried. You were one of his best guests. I mentioned you on Doug TenNapel's podcast. Top ten gorilla men. The other guys thought it was hilarious I had that sort of data stored.

[@craigkdillon]

I understand and use all the words Ustinov uses. Somehow, though, they don't have his eloquence when I use them. Truly amazing mind. I could listen to him forever.

[@briancross7835]

I remember watching a 1988 documentary about Jack the Ripper. The show was live & hosted by Sir Ustinov. It was absolutely fascinating (as everything he did was). The documentary is on KZbin. I can't recommend it enough.

[@charleswinokoor6023]

Refreshing to not have an interviewer constantly jumping in.

[@SteveStalzle]

Peter was great. I saw a 70mm screening after Spartacus was restored, in '91, a limited run screening, at select US theaters, including here in Denver. I took my parents, I had free tickets via a radio station I still work at. I'm glad that I saw so many classics, on the big screen, in the 1980s-90s.

[@DerekDogsforSentience]

I loved how he mentioned Charles Laughton and immediately did his facial characteristics. Peter was a giant intellect and such a lovely man.

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

A pleasure to hear such an intelligent, articulate, man.

[@MrCjsb]

Thank you so much for putting this up. What a genial genius! No more like him, alas!

[@rooramblingon895]

Amazing mimicry. Just perfect voice work.

[@PaulZink]

Thanks for posting this. Ustinov is amazing.

[@interqward1]

I met Peter Ustinov towards the latter end of his career and life, in Perth Western Australia, and he was charming and friendly and intelligent, and I felt, generous given who he was as a great star. We have been so fortunate to have these sorts of great talents.

[@44excalibur]

I grew up watching Peter Ustinov as Agatha Christie's genius detective Hercule Poirot in the 1980s on cable TV, in films like Death on the Nile and Evil Under the Sun, and made for TV movies like Thirteen at Dinner and Dead Man's Folly. R I P.

[@Salisbury2015]

This was a great interview with fascinating stories (wish I could hear more). Loved Ustinov's performance in Spartacus. His American accents are spot on.

[@stephenslater412]

Ustinov and Sellers were absolute geniuses.

[@StephenEsseenyne]

👏👏👏 Brilliant. Well told and fascinating BTS revelations. Video ended on the perfect anecdote. Thanks for uploading.

[@namcat53]

One of my heroes; funny, smart and kind.

[@josephmarciano4761]

World class raconteur and spot on mimic of Laughton! He transforms into Laughton whenever he does that squint.

[@snesmonkey]

13.13..."Charles...who spent most of his time waiting to be offended"😂😂beautifully observed humour from a bygone time.

[@louiecastle]

I'm going to give myself a showing of Quo Vadis this evening, it is going to be a lot more nuanced than the first time i saw it! Thank you so much for posting these wonderful extracts.