Peter Ustinov on Letterman, January 7, 1986

Peter Ustinov's full two-segment interview.

[@elizabethblack3863]

I had the great pleasure to meet this wonderful man briefly, many years ago, and what a great treasure he was....an absolute delight. A great talent very sadly missed!

[@manofthehour6856]

I met him for a minute / briefly myself, and could not agree more. Not only remarkably well-mannered, but was stunningly articulate and able to convey a story so vividly and precisely as seen in this interview, I was in my mid 20s at the time, but he was and is one of my favorite actors and personalities. Simply a brilliant mind able to express serious thought, but also present such perceptive nusianced characterizations of people and behaviors. A completely underrated actor, even if he did win two Academy Awards.

[@jrouche7009]

I have yet to hear a boring Ustinov interview--he was so articulate and charming I could listen to him for hours.

[@MrDaiseymay]

So could I, if he was on his own

[@readmelancholystrumpetmaster]

You didn't see this one?

[@johnmunro4952]

One of the greatest of all time.

[@HeavenlyBridegroomMusic]

Exactly! Now you have it as I composed it. Now shall we begin... ahhahahahĥ You clumsy toad!

[@pannyprada]

Intellectual and classy. Ustinov is 1 in a million.

[@TheChannel-bc2lp]

more like 1 in a billion

[@LenHummelChannel]

lousy interview. but Peter is always brilliant in any interview situation. he made the best of it.

[@sgtpluck8344]

Man against a boy.

[@Omnicient.]

@@sgtpluck8344 And audience; Americans often don't or can't appreciate the little elements which they missed with Olivier asking Ustinov: 'Can you come in a little faster with your yes?

[@alexanderkrampe6540]

Today I read a beautiful quote of him: The only homeland I accept is a civilized behaviour

[@sammakulit8030]

@@sgtpluck8344 😂😁😀😆

[@adamgrimsley2900]

Agreed, it's quick lazy and pretty sterile.

[@slammajamma5435]

Ustinov was a genius. Love watching any of his interviews.

[@adrianbeaumont6745]

Just what you want on an interview show. Witty ,charming and full of wondrous stories - thats all you need . The incredible and force of nature Peter Ustinov.

[@DieFlabbergast]

Unfortunately, Letterman, the least amusing guy in the universe, almost manages to spoil the whole thing.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@DieFlabbergast One requires a sense of humour, yes, to enjoy this

[@ingeabrahamsen4684]

​@@DieFlabbergastExactly- what a contrast between those two. It almost seems like an insult to expose a man of Ustinovs qualities to scatterbrained Letterman.

[@juerv1]

This man could tell the most hillarious anectodes for a year without one break!

[@moodobusiness]

If he’s allowed to!

[@arlenesmith5843]

Peter is my dad's name and he is my rock he has cancer but is doing well I have always admired America

[@jaads7910]

He was a wonderful gentleman and a titan of an actor,

[@25dimensionsfrancis42]

So much wisdom for one man.

[@TheMrBennito]

Ustinov is a very underrated writer. I love his novel 'Krumnagel' to death. Hilarious, brilliant. In the same category as PG Wodehouse.

[@MrMarkdevir]

I loved Krumnagel too. Did you read The Old Man And Mr Smith? Amazing. One of his last ones and a real treasure as he was.

[@carlgevers2557]

Agreed!

[@ResistanceQuest]

Back when an actor or public figure could be interesting because of who they actually were-cultivated and warm human beings-rather than to satisfy some manufactured public image

[@peternemeth1777]

Peter is one of the most interesting, the most humorous and most intelligent poeple that I can think of. This man was incredible really. He could impersonate more poeple like robin williams and invent more characters like robin williams. He understands more of diplomacy than most diplomats in the world. His sensitivity concerning understanding human behaviour is incredible fine and sophisticated. This man had wisdom. He had the knowledge and the character to lead a nation. And he can tell stories that are not only humorous, but at the same time very entertaining and educative. This is one of the best humans I can think of with one of the best characters a human can have that I can think of. What is outstanding about him is his understanding of things that many poeple don't even know that they exist and these things are: dignity, honour, respect, care, patience and tolerance. If you want to learn what it means to be a human and to be human the best teacher you can find is Peter Ustinov. There is a reason why he has such diplomatic skills. For anyone that is interested in that I recommend you to inform yourself more about this man. This man was a gift to this world. I'm really thankful that I know him.

[@Berniewahlbrinck]

@@peternemeth1777 Wow!

[@ernarc23]

I remember he came to give a speech at Oxford in the late 1990s and he had nothing prepared. So someone asked him a question about the various places he'd done films, and he talked for 2 hours, impersonating immigration officers from around the globe, and then telling a story about going to court in France over his Jaguar that had been impounded, impersonating the French judge. It was absolutely hilarious.

[@albertseabra9226]

Great actor and a raconteur of stories.

[@cordelmar]

Just in case some people don't know that a Man Of war its not a battel ship, its a jelly fish with the longest tentacles.

[@Berniewahlbrinck]

Oh!!

[@RErnie-gv1hv]

That can sting beyond all reason.

[@billrossiter9664]

Wish Dave hadn't interrupted Ustinov's rhythms so often. Peter was in the midst of his stories, and Dave kept killing the flow. Watch Ustinov tell his "Horse" story on the Parkinson's interview--very droll.

[@MrDaiseymay]

my fav is the Olivier over acting

[@williamrossiter6330]

@Thiago Maximus Thanks; will check it out

[@peternemeth1777]

Bill Rossiter Yes you're right. He always did his own rhythm. If he's not doing his own rhythm he's afraid of loosing it. He always had to be the boss. He always had to be in charge. We know that it was always one of his weakest character features. But nevertheless being who he is he did pretty well with his restraint. He gave this wonderful man a bit of space to tell his stories in the rhythm that his stories require. But all in all just to be part of his show that is all in all superficial and without depth was a bit of wasted time for Peter to get treated like an attraction in a zoo. I wonder why he accepted the invitation. He must have known that Dave won't give him the space that he deserves and needs to tell his stories. One can only give respect to another person if one has self respect. That is the thing: Dave had never much self respect. He always just acted as if he would have self respect. Ustinov really only deserved a host that treats him with the respect that he deserves. His way to tell a story and go into so many observational details while telling it was so unique and special and outstanding that he really only deserved a host that gave him the space he needed to shine and pass on to the audience the treasures of his wisdom and wit and humour. When Dave introduced him he apologised correctly beforehand that this man is too classy to appear on his show. That Peter didn't decline the offer to come on the show tells how generous this man really was and that he loved all people indepent of their social standing or educational level.

[@kugelweg]

@@peternemeth1777 None of what you said is correct, of course. David Letterman was a HUGE star in his own right. He was being his usual, American, sarcastic self when he said that Ustinov was far too classy an actor, etc. Letterman had MANY classy and important people on his show, both prior and AFTER this interview. The big draw to Letterman was that he was funny, sarcastic, and quick with a quip. The WHOLE REASON people loved Letterman was for his humor and the way he would banter with the guests. He was a huge draw with audiences and that is why waning stars like Ustinov would agree to be on the show. Peter was having difficulty finding roles at that time, and any publicity or money coming in was fine with him (which is why he did so many subpar films in that era). Letterman's show was NEVER an interview show where guests would come on and drone on and on about themselves endlessly. This modern talk show was primarily about the host being so funny that the guests had to try to match wits with him. One of Letterman's great talents was having REAL conversations with guests. Apparently you haven't had many conversations with REAL people, because in reality when people are chatting with each other, one rarely sits in silence as someone tells a story. The stories are often interrupted with quips, jokes, comments, approval, and encouragement. That is what Letterman did so well. He behaved as if he were having a casual chat with guests, the way WE would want to talk to them. If I met Peter Ustinov, I would have spoken WITH him, not just sat and listened to him ramble on about whatever he wanted. That's not natural. I would have had a real, NATURAL conversation with him, which is what Letterman did. In addition, Ustinov was on Letterman's show again shortly after this segment, so it's not as if Ustinov had a problem with Letterman's humor or approach. YOU have a problem with it because of your own misconceived ideas of what an interview should be like and what Ustinov would accept. Also, the idea that Ustinov was "generous" in accepting Letterman's invitation is asinine. Ustinov was plugging a movie and was doing the talk show circuit. THAT'S why his people put out that he was available and why Letterman to let him come on the show--to advertise the upcoming film. Sheez. Your comments about Letterman having no self respect are ridiculous. The man has an IMMENSE amount of self respect. That is why he is so self confident in his interviews. He is not a shy, retiring, ridiculous person who doesn't have self respect, as anyone can see.

[@nairnboxing4653]

@@kugelweg BRAVO 👏 about time someone spoke Sense , too many butt hurt whinos talking baloney that they know nothing about , only repeating what they see in the comment section and to make themselves feel like intelligent they add a cool addition to a fake comment they’ve dreamed up to fit in !!!!!!

[@jenniferfairless207]

Peter is the best interviewee possible, but this was a terrible interview Dave was over loud and interrupted too much.

[@joanlovett1854]

Jennifer Fairless ;;;;;;

[@M21L35]

As well, his leftist leaning commentaries were un-needed & a supreme turnoff!

[@johnlewis9158]

@@M21L35 Peter didn't seem comfortable here for some reason. If you compare this with the interviews he did with Michael Parkinson you will know what i mean

[@M21L35]

@ John Lewis.....Doesn't it make you intensely uncomfortable just having to wade through this most incompetent interview one could ever expect to painfully endure? Woefully overmatched bonehead pathetically failing in a meager attempt to even attempt to match wits w/such an overpoweringly brilliant mind. Supreme waste of Sir Peter's efforts in dealing w/the curmudgeon Letterman!

[@MrDaiseymay]

@@johnlewis9158 beyond comparison

[@HeavenlyBridegroomMusic]

One of my favorite actors! Love Him playing Nero in Spartacus.

[@luckylikey8784]

Just to correct you here...he played Nero in Quo Vadis, in Spartacus he was Batiatus the slave trader.

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

Peter Ustinov is of Russian, German, Italian, French, Swiss, Polish & Ethiopian ancestry. Wow.

[@RErnie-gv1hv]

And he spoke 8 languages while fluent in 6.

[@coolfinetime]

and English

[@moegginger]

met him in munic...had to take care of him...what an honnor meetin this funny guy❤️

[@johnwhite5216]

I was in the audience for this show. Wish I could find the rest of it.

[@kugelweg]

@John White I was in the audience for this show. Wish I could find the rest of it. You are so blessed to have been there for this great moment. I love ANYTHING Ustinov related. I am jealous, in the kindest way, of you!

[@MarkHenstridge]

Peter Ustinov, simply brilliant.

[@marinakaye8284]

Peter shows a bit of exasperation with Dave at the end when they shook hands, but he was always a first class, top draw guest on any talk show.

[@kugelweg]

Peter was acting as if he was an arrogant American, hence the "exasperation". He didn't really feel that way, he was putting on an act.

[@alexistarr]

Apparently it was Ustinov who first said the line, which is very relevant today, often attributed to Clive James, that Australians may be descended from convicts, but that it shouldn't be forgotten that they're also descended from jailers.

[@quiche78]

Ohhhh wee. Love it. As an Australian that rings truer than I'd like.

[@movielist_com]

Dave is actually a superb interviewer, but he would get nervous or overconfident with some guests on occasion. Ustinov got insulted when Letterman pretended he didn't remember Prince Charles' name, and whatever little chemistry there was in the beginning just dissipated after that.

[@ronnigoodan8619]

Ustinov clearly DIDN'T get insulted, he played along with Dave's silly sarcasm. Ustinov was PRETENDING to be annoyed, using an old man's voice to do so. It's called acting.

[@hansklarenbeek7915]

You might want to look at the interview again. Letterman tried to look cool and failed miserably. What he should have been doing was appreciating the genius of Peter Ustinov. Peter was perfectly at ease, while Dave was the uncomfortable one, hecause he knew he couldn't match the brilliance of his guest. If only David would have realised there was no need to match that brilliance..it wasn't a match. Like someone said earlier...man against boy.

[@WintersWar]

What a wit. You didn't want to get into an argument with Ustinov. he'd insult you and make it look like a compliment.

[@MrDaiseymay]

clever eh?

[@Trobtwillis]

The audience is crazy about Pete. Listen to that applause! 👂🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@JulioLeonFandinho]

my goodness, that Olivier impression had me in tears 🤣

[@winonafrog]

3:40 yes 😅

[@luckylikey8784]

You should look for the interviews with Michael Parkinson, there's a special hour or so long compilation of the best bits with him down the years and his anecdotes about his life and experiences are priceless 👍

[@ronaldlevao8251]

Ustinov's best impression was Charles Laughton. Fun to watch him playing with Letterman, plus Steve Jordan on drums, a future Rolling Stone!

[@kindnessfirst9670]

Ustinov had a fascinating life and family background. His ancestry was Ethiopian, Jewish, Russian, German, French, Italian, and Polish with nobility on both sides. Ustinov's dad was a German government official who spied for the British against first the Nazis and later the USSR. He held secret meetings in Peter's home where they plotted to oust Hitler prior to WW Two. Peter was a high school classmate of the son of Hitler's Foreign Minister Von Ribbentrop. His autobiography is hilarious- especially read out loud by him (available free on KZbin).

[@winonafrog]

Thanks for the tip, Dear Me, I’ll have to give it a listen

[@curtisevans4100]

I enjoyed the interview. Ustinov got in a good joke about the Queen.

[@damiankrauza3752]

Herzlich willkommen, mein verehrter Peter Ustinov! Ich wusste immer, dass uns mehr als der coole Humor und die persönliche Zurückhaltung verbindet, ich wusste nur nicht genau, WAS...!

[@khalidmahmood2850]

I can see peter does not feel comfortable with this host.

[@isabelladestegonzaga5529]

that's understandable, because it's also called letter man.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

The band goes into "All You Need is Ustinov"!

[@Trobtwillis]

Huge Star! ⭐

[@natashantz5151]

Ustinov legendary

[@planetthunderstorm]

If it was possible for me to LOVE Sir Peter Ustinov more than I already do.......I would, but it ain´t !!!!! 😆😍❤

[@dickensbob6086]

A great man : He lived his life to the brim !!!

[@isabelladestegonzaga5529]

u mean , he lived his life to the dead end , or he lived his live to the brian :D but even booth is well . :D

[@HeavenlyBridegroomMusic]

This man is incredibly smart

[@xealit]

"I can just hear those women's voices when I go next door and tell them: Aahhhh" X)))

[@jamesbroske6701]

Peter Ustinov voiced the tyrannical Prince John in Walt Disney Robin Hood. What a talented voice actor. He really nailed that voice well.

[@ManofSteel4910]

I knew I recognized his voice! I've only recently discovered him. He's an enthralling man.

[@robertomendez187]

Even better Blackbeard’s Ghost! Watch it🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@Berniewahlbrinck]

Yes! It's incredibly funny how he says "Robin Hooddd".

[@joeceonnia5361]

I wish Dave would of stopped interrupting Peter, Everytime Perter really got going Dave stumbled in..

[@paullinnane4396]

I agree with you joe

[@MrDaiseymay]

because he was completely out of his depth, and lacked self confidence.

[@patriciapalmer4873]

Gosh poor Peter like the 20 questions

[@Apfelsinchenmoon]

he was sooo funny :-) he will always be hercules poirot for me ♥♥♥

[@RErnie-gv1hv]

Hercule

[@Apfelsinchenmoon]

@@RErnie-gv1hv ahhhhh you are right -.- 😅

[@WizardOfHumor1989]

I can see Prince John in my head when I hear his voice.

[@wobblertv8083]

Some of his impressions of other actors are awesome .

[@paulabennett4788]

Hilarious and Adorable. Just what we need now after all the bad news and trouble going on in the World.... Never a dull moment.....😂😂😂🌟🌟🌟

[@YouzTube99]

Sheesh. The last U.S. chat show hosts who understood how to focus the spotlight on the guest AND actually listen to them were Cavett and to a lesser degree, Carson. They weren't 100% but then who is? Well, Michael Parkinson came very close indeed.

[@garrodhutchison]

YouzTube99 s

[@Omnicient.]

Cavett is a fav of mine; a great charmer and very adaptable but Carson kept endlessly interrupting guests like he was giving a running commentary fragmenting many interviews that could have been brilliant if he kept his ego, which needed constant nourishing, under control!!

[@dhsumana407]

A real smart intelligent and civilised human being

[@richardcollins6684]

Logan’s Run only old person alive.

[@paullinnane4396]

The beard looked good on him in the early years

[@mca4u]

There's a picture of Peter under the dictionary definition of "raconteur".

[@InnocuousKudzu]

Back when an actor could be creative, inspirational, and non-political.

[@scottrindal7859]

I loved Letterman but goodness he was bad here.

[@ormosy6103]

Same over here.

[@elleryeggen9678]

"The Last Remake of Beau Geste" A movie he's probably not his most memorable, is my favorite!

[@readmelancholystrumpetmaster]

Quick, name one thing Peter Ustinov did.

[@rhettvorsterblack]

It was a great interview. Great like my books on Amazon

[@WizardOfHumor1989]

Prince John in Robin Hood

[@marcofabbri969]

Hell yeah 🤟and he was awesome

[@TheEuzkatroika]

Peter could be a fantastic Santa Claus...he is so lovely and divine..

[@UKS12345]

That was a quick goodbye and than you. I think more respect was called for

[@dongiller]

Dave gets break prompts from the Stage Manager, and he follows them.

[@UKS12345]

@@dongiller yes you’re right. Peter there wasn’t more time allowed

[@steveconn]

I like the Ustinov interview he did a year later where the camera does a slow 360 over the course of the show.

[@dongiller]

Uploaded here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaLYZ2WGZ690pKs

[@johnquinn5712]

y

[@g-r-a-e-m-e-]

"nice being seen by you" lol

[@sartoresartus]

On second viewing I think this is quite nice. Why shouldn't you needle the old pro a bit and see if he can hold his own? And he could, so all good.

[@Del-yv1qy]

See if he can hold his own....what rubbish are going about?

[@canadatrip2144]

Quo Vardis

[@Berniewahlbrinck]

Vadis

[@stephenvincent4989]

Peter was a renaissance man and a raconteur par excellence however, in this interview it found the the usually excellent Letterman floundering. The questions were somewhat trite and therefore did not allow for an easy rapport. However, Ustinov as usual presented a most avuncular charm.

[@RErnie-gv1hv]

Letterman seemed to have been a bit star-struck.

[@pyramidvince2855]

Wings of the Red Star brought me here!

[@djackman4229]

Actually, I liked it - no reason for Dave to wilt before the furnace of Ustinovs upper class culture.

[@tonewheel1773]

Without wishing to appear condescending, it wasn`t a question of Ustinov being "upper class". It came down to Letterman not knowing how to interview an intellectual. Lettermans inane questioning and awkward demeanor gave him away.

[@martind349]

Jean Stapleton highly regarded

[@WerdnaLlewen1993]

9:48-10:09 is the best part of the interview. Letterman checks him, Ustinov ripostes beautifully, Letterman's laugh has an edge...

[@pippipster6767]

Think he was in an off mood that night. Off-kilter.

[@matthewmolina7970]

Peter did an excellent Bogey.

[@MrDaiseymay]

---whereas Letterman, was just a ---bogey

[@joeambrose3260]

It was ok, he's no Travalena

[@karenlee188]

Watching Lifestyles of the Rich and famous is depressing ... At a certain point I realized Oprah Winfrey's garbage disposal eats better than I do.

[@railmadorange]

H3 didn't want to be there did he ...?

[@harpothehealer]

Yes, Here is one of the greatest story tellers ever in my view not being allowed to develop. A lack of understanding. British humour is different from American humour. The main difference is British is built on character and eccentricity of character .And the interaction between characters which in Britain are many. This type of Character that doesn't exist in America.The understanding isn't there. America stereo types s fall into about 10 to 12 types where as British stereo types are vast .

[@ds1868]

Agreed. It's also about depth. Americans are for the here and now. The British are aware of thousands of years of history behind them. There are many shades of depth but millenia of history may never be ignored.

[@harpothehealer]

@@ds1868 Yes very well said

[@cahillgreg]

Shush now

[@305western6]

Yes Spot on

[@305western6]

@@cahillgreg A lack of understanding, never mind education can take a long time and you have know how to learn,

[@oliveroneill1388]

Ustinov one 0f the best guests , you could ever have

[@rbcbertie]

Not a lot of chemistry going on here

[@pizzaDhut]

American audiences don't react same way as UK audiences

[@Del-yv1qy]

A bit on the slow side .

[@jimpinney]

what was that rock thing?

[@MrDaiseymay]

an unessecary divertion, from the guests flow. Letterman knew he was shite, so thought he'd make a 'interesting' contribution, which turned into a colossal embarrassment.

[@worldnotworld]

A telling disconnect between these two. The generation gap is huge here.

[@RErnie-gv1hv]

The gap was more a matter of intellect.

[@stevegordon5689]

David is more mellow and intelligent on his new Netflix show a lot like Parkinson!

[@mymanjosquin]

he needs a shave.

[@arrassip3196]

What he said about the two portugueses? I did not understand.

[@nkt1]

I very much doubt he was swimming with a pair of old warships. A Portuguese man o'war is a jellyfish-like creature.

[@MrAnperm]

jellyfish, also called 'blue bottles'

[@Section5_CdnIntelService]

He must have owed something to a charity.

[@markuslappalainen6847]

Spartacus is long movie.

[@isabelladestegonzaga5529]

when ustinov talks about it, it's a short movie.

[@michaelbrown984]

Classic.brit

[@MrArchie800]

AH back when people could speak properly.....

[@DieFlabbergast]

Many people still can.

[@monelleny]

I love Peter Ustinov, and don't understand why this was such an awkward interview. I don't really think it's fair to blame Letterman. Ustinov seemed very wary of him from the beginning, and was actually pretty unfriendly to him throughout. I don't get it--guess they just didn't like each other.

[@DieFlabbergast]

I'm very happy to blame Letterman: the man was as funny as a wet sock.

[@jeffreylombardo782]

My God he's almost as erudite asTom Cruise or Seth Rogan. Please say that there are people with some intelligence left in Hollywood or indeed the world!

[@davyspoon]

Yeah. Funny Bloke....

[@MrGpschmidt]

2 class acts