Didn't help that he had a rather low opinion of it either. LOL Apparently he liked doing episode IV well enough, but had a low opinion of it because he really didn't like the Sci-Fi genre and he said in a magazine interview that he thought of it as more of a fun and happy children's movie than anything else. He enjoyed it and enjoyed waching it as he said... However, due to the nature of the fandom - and the strange letters he was starting to receive - he really didn't want to be in V and despised the role by the time VI rolled around. I feel sorry for G man. To be typecast so late in such a legendary career in a genre he wasn't fond of, from a small but important part in a movie that was supposed to be just a fun little fluff piece and that garnered him the type of obsessive fans that make a serious and artistic actor like him cringe.
truth, in swtor i always had to do the next mission because it was really interesting, despite it looking laughable concerning the graphics and animations
@@drystannelson3031 He didn't really hate it as much as people think. Alec was a classically trained actor, and he was frustrated that most people only knew him for his work on Star Wars and not any of the other movies he worked on.
@Lil Supreme You take familiar concepts and make them so unique that they don't visibly parallel the thing you're taking inspiration from and it creates a "wonder effect". I suppose George-and-friend's idea was to take as much out of those fields as possible to create an Epic. And it worked, I wonder if the Iliad and The Odyssey when it was made so long ago was just inspiration from every tale they knew of in the Mediterranean world. Cool shit.
According to Harrison Ford, during the making of the movie, he and Mark Hamill would usually fool around and not commit to their work as much whenever Sir Alec Guinness was not on set. When Guinness was on set, they behaved much more professionally. That's how much respect the man had from those around him.
Certain veteran actors, especially (but not exclusively) those having been involved with theater, seem to have that commanding presence and a kind of aura urging others to do their best as well. I have let myself understand Patrick Stewart had very similar of an effect on Star Trek: TNG cast.
@@stalhandske9649 i love that reflexion. certainly seems like they command with their presence, and i think mostly has to do with how theater works, and the type of characters he did. they seemed to have a strong personality. so in a way, he pours his own essence on the characters he is in. no wonder they felt commanded to do better. he inspired that i supose.
@@stalhandske9649 I think it was the other way around. The TNG cast - especially Spiner and Frakes - had the opposite effect on Stewart. They loosened him up considerably.
I remember that George Lucas' first idea for Obi-Wan was that he was somewhat crazy, but Sir Alec refused to play a crazy character, so George altered Obi-Wan to how he is in the movie. I'm forever glad Sir Alec made that suggestion!
Really? I would have loved a crazy Ben Kenobi. That would be in the tradition of the best zen masters. The best one were mostly crazy or would at least being a kind of fool. Thank you for sharing this information. You made my day 😁.
linchen008 Yoda’s first appearance probably payed some homage to that because he seemed pretty nutty at first. But I think this was just his type of humor, to troll Luke a little bit at first lol. And perhaps there was a little bit of crazyness in him that 900 years caused but obviously his wisdom was much greater than his crazyness (if at all, perhaps it was 100% humor).
People always say he hated Star Wars but he's very complimentary about it here. I think the hard core fans get sore that he wasn't more enthusiastic about it, but he was an old guy who'd done and seen it all by this point. He wasn't suddenly going to accept that this was now the defining role of his career.
I think he grew bitter towards it in the years to follow, because he didn't like how he'd suddenly become most famous for playing Obi Wan Kenobi, after a long and prestigious acting career.
I like star wars, and I certainly don't blame him. I've seen some of his other movies and he played some beautifull roles. And I think that any actor who enjoys his or her craft would prefer to be remembered for what they consider to be their best work instead of for movies they themselves did not like very much.
DCF - HazardReborn Alec Guiness was already famous and already had a distinguished career when he appeared in star wars. But due to it many younger generations only identified him with this single role.
And I Well I would not go that far, like any great professional actor he gives a great performance even in a small part, same goes for Peter Cushing as Tarkin. Alec Guiness was great for the role since like the character he does have a certain wisdom about him. I've not seen all of his movies, but I really liked him in bridge over the river kwai and Lawrence of Arabia.
The original Star Wars movies didn't take themselves too seriously; their main focus was to entertain the audience, and this is why they have a lot of action and humour. They have sort of the same vibe as the Indiana Jones movies.
ROOKTABULA well it’s curious that those weird dialogues become the most famous dialogues in cinema history! George was ahead of his era,the others simply not!
It's interesting how literary Sci Fi masterpieces from Vonnegut and Gibson's Neuromancer trilogy never translated well onto screen. Dune is a magnificent failure. Only Philip K. Dick's "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" was developed to full realization in Ridley Scott's Blade Runner (which also starred Harrison Ford). But that was made possible only by Star Wars - which was able elevate a B movie schtick into extraordinary visuals. There's the Wrath of Khan, but that's a different universe...
"a marvelous, healthy innocence"..."great pace"..."wonderful to look at"..."full of guts"..."nothing unpleasant"..."no horrors"..."no sleazy sex"..."a sort of, wonderful freshness about it" - Alec Guinness on watching the first Star Wars in the theatre. What a great time it was for cinema.
I was 12 in 1977......the fallout of the Vietnam War, Disaster films and dark Sci Fi. Even Planet of the Apes was a story of mankind destroying his world to be enslaved by apes. Our parents depressed about the gas lines and a failing economy.....cocaine replaced weed, crime soared....music became increasingly divided...Then "Star Wars" was released. Sometimes I wonder if that movie gave me a better childhood, it truly made me a happy kid. What followed were dozen of movies and TV shows trying to capture that same magic. My favorite was Battlestar Galactica.
What strikes me instantly about this interview is how authentic both interviewer and interviewee seem. It seems like a very natural conversation, free of consistent jokes and the artifice that is so common on the film promotion circuit.
It's also very frank. I've always heard that Guiness didn't have a high opinion of Star Wars and here he pulls no punches in this interview, stating with no hesitation that he found the dialogue ropey. That's pretty daring. Usually celebs tend to be very diplomatic with their responses especially toward their own projects and those involved in them. Much respect for Alec Guiness. The man was a class act.
It is all too common nowadays for interviewers to just ask stupid questions or boring predictable questions or even sometimes inappropriate questions. It's all really dull except to see the actor/actress having a conversation. This is more authentic and today lacks a whole lot of authenticity in almost all aspects of life now.
That was the hallmark of Michael Parkinson's interview show, and the reason it was so massively popular here in the UK. Today's equivalent is Graham Norton, who is just as skilled at putting A-list celebrities at ease, and getting them to really open up.
Sharrel Wright No, not senile at all. He had been going by the name "Ben" for so many years that he was a little amused to hear someone mention the name that he had avoided using for probably twenty years.
*"If you strike me down, I will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine."* The only actor to get an Academy Award nomination in the entire Star Wars franchise. Great, great actor.
@@bengt-oveandersson2914 That was for *"Witness."* I'm talking about the Star Wars films. Sir Alec is the only actor to be Oscar nominated in the entire franchise in the acting catergory.
And also that far too many people started worshiping a movie as if it were an actual religion with a god, prophets, holy idols and core tenets. To him it was merely another movie. To some other people it was un unhealthy obsession and that annoyed him. Especially those who approached him as "Obi-Wan".
Of the movies he has been in, not one of them took on a measure of attraction that A New Hope did. I wonder which one he must have hated more, being known for this role or for the any of the few lines people must have used in addressing him.
I bet he didn't mind the 2.25% of the profits! Kind of pissed at him for whining about it for so many years when he got SOOOO much damn money for his effort!
And Peter Cushing. His gravitas is a great balance to Guinness in the movie. "you're far too trusting" eeeevil Grand Moff Tarkin. Brilliant. I don't think the movie would have worked that well without those two class turns cast in it, not to mention the experience and help they gave George Lucas and the young freshmen actors.
I'm struck by the effortless way he slipped into the George Lucas impersonation. A master actor. He truly was one of the greats and in no way diminished by his role in Star Wars. He gave so much joy to all of us and I can't think of anything more relevant than that.
If anything, playing Obi Wan only served to broaden his appeal. It introduced him (and continues to introduce him) to a whole new generation of fans. I’m 55, and I saw Star Wars on the big screen on it’s opening day in 1977, when I was almost 10 years old. By that time I had already seen Bridge On The River Kwai, but I was an anomaly for my age and it really wasn’t until I saw SW that Alec Guinness became a part of my main frame. No disrespect to Ewan MacGregor, who did a great job of playing a young Obi Wan, but to this day most fans, both young and older, still associate Obi Wan Kenobi with Sir Alec.
I watched an interview of Ewan McGregor the day before yesterday. Then yesterday the algorithm suggested an interview of Peter Cushing on his role as Grand Moff Tarkin. Today it suggested this one with Sir Alec Guinness.
+TheMattMan095 He didn't say that- its because its a space movie and the dialogue is different to what he's used to. Personally I never had a problem with any of the dialog- only some of the stuff in the prequels.
Despite being downgraded to 2.25 per cent for Star Wars, Guinness eventually garnered around 75 million dollars for his work in the films. I was a fan of Guinness long before his " Obi-Wan " days. The Ealing comedies and many other movies made him a British star of stature. My preferred role by him was Jock Sinclair in " Tunes of glory, " his personal favorite. He and John Mills were excellent with a dream supporting cast.
My favorite was "The Ladykillers" as well as "Cromwell". When Star Wars came out, i had no idea of who he was. Quickly became aware of the many fine films he made, going all the way back to the 40´s.
It's just absolutely incredible to hear the man himself talking about one of the greatest film franchises in history as if it were any other fun little campy sci fi flick. Which of course is honestly all it was at the time. What a wonderful little slice of history, thank you for finding and sharing this with the world.
i like SW and know a lot about the EU, but lets be honest: it's always been a silly little fun film for kids. I don't want to shit on SW because there's nothing wrong with being that, but the fact that people took it so far says more about the imaturity and ignorance of the average person, and that's the sad part :/. I understand why Alec Guness grew to hate SW. PS: I've been playing TOR for about 3 weeks now and even though I enjoy it I am constantyl dissapointed at how SW is treated: 3000 years before the films and virtually nothing has changed: technology, architecture, fashion; the same 20 planets, carbonite freezing, etc.
Completely agree. The younger generation don't know how great Sir Alec Guiness was. From Wikipedia: Guinness won an Academy Award, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe and a Tony Award. In 1959 he was knighted by Elizabeth II for services to the arts. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960, the Academy Honorary Award for lifetime achievement in 1980 and the BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award in 1989. Guinness appeared in nine films that featured in the BFI's 100 greatest British films of the 20th century, which included five of David Lean's films.
He’s basically reiterating what Harrison Ford told George: ‘you can write this George but you sure as shit can’t say it’ Alec has a modicum more eloquence to him xD
Bruh, I literally didn't realize those where their charred bones until I saw the Family Guy parody (or was it Robot Chicken?). Not surprised someone might miss it.
My mum and dad had a classical record shop and Sir Alec used to spend hours in the shop while his lift (Daniel Day Lewis’s mum - they were neighbours) went shopping. He used to buy a lot of music. One day he wrote a cheque but forget his cheque guarantee card. He apologised to mum but she said it was fine. I said to my mum you should have said ‘don’t worry Sir Alec you own 2.25% of star wars’. A few years later my sister accidentally dropped something on Sir Alec’s fingers - but that’s another story
Same here. I had just turned 8 and was sitting in one of the front rows with my father. I was terrified at first when that Darth Vader boarded the rebel ship. But it was thrilling throughout.
I am fortunately old enough to have appreciated Guinness long before Star Wars. The Lavender Hill Mob and Kind hearts and Coronets have always been two of my favorite films.
@Davis Statton Ah yes indeed Davis! I too am of the age where I can appreciate the two classics you mentioned...but then again....almost anything that Alec Guinness has appeared in is, in my humble opinion, a classic! Bridge on the River Kwai just another example of this superb actors ability! Cheers, Doons
I can say as an 7 year old boy in New Zealand going to see this new film Star Wars my first night film ( exciting in itself ) was one of those moments in life that will never be forgotten….that start the music the tag line in a galaxy far far away then the rumble and the screen being filled with this amazing spaceship being chased by an even bigger spaceship well slap me silly we were all hooked and taken away to another time and another place it was awesome, best film of the franchise by far nothing beats the original Star Wars 😀
Are you actually me? 🤪 I saw Episode IV age 7 at the long-gone Odeon in Tauranga; I left the theatre walking on air. Hooked for life. Even the recent Jar Jar Abrams nonsense hasn't turned me off. Can't wait for the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series.
I saw the original Star Wars 42 times in the theater by 1978!! The tickets cost only $4 each, and I had been able to see the 4 special effects mistakes by then!
I was a bit older -- 20, actually -- when Star Wars was released, but my memory is similar. I was sitting in the front row of the balcony in a classic old theatre in Halifax, Canada, and it felt like that battle cruiser was sailing just over my head. It was mind blowing.
A Gentleman, a fine actor, a beautiful voice, a legend, thinking of 'The Bridge on the river Kwai'. Such a great decision, to take on the role of Obi won, He saw something unique, and went for it.
Mark Hamill became friends with him after Hamill had uttered his frustration during shooting, upon which Guinness simply remarked: "Relax, nothing in this business makes any sense." The two kept up a correspondance for quite some years.
Lucas was clever, he knew very well that British actors with their sophistication and vocal quality would increase the level of his popcorn films enormously. That's why he hired people like Cushing, Guinnes, Lee, Connery, McDiarmid, Daniels, Glover, Neeson, McGregor, Stamp, Freeman, Rhys-Davies, Elliott, Stone, Hurt, Broadbent for Star Wars and Indiana Jones. This strategy worked very well.
I think he was scepticle of it in the beginning. At that point in Alec Guiness's career he was on a downward slope and hadn't done very many good films for a while and nobody thought Star Wars was going to be a hit; let alone the biggest hit since Gone With the Wind. The man's an actor. He's paid to act. It's his trade. When Star Wars ended up making him more money than all of his other films combined, I think he came around.
@@iamthem.a.n.middleagednerd1053 thats a disservice to his great career as an actor, a "good" film is subjective, I enjoyed Hitler: The Last Ten Days and Caesar and Cleopatra both came out just a few years before star wars did. The fact is he remained very much active up until and after the star wars films. I agree no one expected this success but he didnt dislike them at all, what he didnt like is the stupid overbearing people it attracted, sadly something which the franchise will never shake.
He comes across to me as the most British gentleman ever. I would of expected him to climb into a spitfire after the interview and fly home. 👍🏻 they don't make them like this anymore.
Why, you're practically denying three other British actors that honor, namely Sir John Gielgud, Peter Ustinov and Sir Lawrence Olivier. They all can hold pillars for being very proper gentlemen, and well cultivated.
@fifthof why, are they some sort of worms or insects that you "culture"? Just joking lolsss But I guess you must be right in those terms, they are well "cultured".
Out of all the Stars Wars stuff on UA-cam this is my favourite. It's from 1977 when no one really knew what Star Wars would become, it's just two people talking about a great movie they recently saw.
@@katewilliams4013 Simple plot but very engaging, George knew how to tell a story that anyone around the world could relate. It seems easy but most fail at it.
Amazing actor, amazing person. Kind, gentle, elegant in any expression. I discovered him recently and it makes me so sad that he is not with us anymore (for a long time now). Great loss for people who loved him. He lives in the memory of what he has given and left us.
You need to watch the TV series "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" and its sequel "Smiley's People". Both, thankfully, are on UA-cam. An absolute masterclass in acting from Sir Alec.
It was not just Sir Alec who had a problem with the dialogue - but Lucas got around the cast by reminding them that the story was set "a long time ago in a galaxy far far away" and this is how they spoke. His 2.5% profit sharing deal was massively lucrative for him and enabled him to pick and chose all his subsequent work projects without giving any real consideration to money. Guinness subsequent problems with STAR WARS related only to some of the obsessed fans he encountered - as he personally liked working on the film and the finished project than he viewed just once.
Michael Muldowney He may have been referring to the dialogue in the original script that never saw the light of day, as the final result wasn't at all bad - more formal and operatic than real life, but memorable in a "sticks in your mind" sort of way (I hear every word of it in my imagination, with sound effects, when I play the soundtrack album, having seen the film so many times, sad, I know). I am thinking of some terrible dialog that appears in the deleted scenes, such an extended conversation between C-3PO and Luke in the speeder talking about engine malfunctions and leaning back to fix them on the fly. I can't remember the exact words, but stuff along the lines of "Sir, the goiters are out of alignment", etc. That is, the worst attempt at techno-babble ever in the history of cinema.
Yes, ... fans need to learn actors are 'actors' ... and it's not 'real' ... but 'faked' what's on screen ... and show some respect that actors deserve privacy and respect when 'resting' between jobs ... and have the right to 'move on' from a role they've played in the past ... not be continually being a representative of that character whenever obsessed fans want them to 'dance' to that tune, sign autographs etc and interrupt a family day out.😩
In the Star Wars 'biography' titled "Empire Building," Guinness remembered a tv-show where he was confronted by a young teenage SW fan, who claimed he had seen the movie over a hundred times. Guinness became rather serious and spoke to the boy, saying that his love of the movie had clearly turned into an obsession and he begged the boy to never watch it again. Upon this, the young fan started crying uncontrollably.
What a sublime actor he was. To be given this role proves what an utterly diverse actor he was, from comedy to serious drama to science fiction......fantastic talent.
Comedy, drama, science fiction, epic film, spy film, Shakespearean characters, historical figures (Benjamin Disraeli, Prince Feisal, Pope Innocent III, Adolf Hitler, Marcus Aurelius, Sigmund Freud, Charles I), and fictional (Herbert Pocket, Fagin, Gulley Jimson, Jacob Marley's Ghost, George Smiley). His rank was incredible. I'm not surprised he was a little upset for being only remembered as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the last decades. RIP Sir Alec Guinness (1914-2000) You will never be forgotten.
@@ramonsancheztorello7111 Don't forget playing the title character in adaptations of GK Chesterton's Fr. Brown series. That role was of personally important to him, as it set him on the road to his conversion to Catholicism.
His relationship with the franchise is complicated. When it was being filmed he hated it, but after seeing it on the big screen he changed his mind. But years of people recognizing him as Obi-Wan Kenobi, rather than recognizing him for his other fine work, made him hate the series.
Love listening to Sir Alec talk about Star Wars in such a fond way, we all hear the stories of how he grew to resent the trilogy for overshadowing the rest of his career and telling children to stop watching it, but people forget that back when they were releasing he was genuinely quite proud of the film and really enjoyed getting to be a part of it all.
Last time I've checked, he didn't really hated Star Wars, but he started to be worry of the almost religious following it was starting to get, wich he saw as unhealthy and a bit dangerous, that's why he told the child "I must tell you that what I'm about to ask is unpleasant, but you should not watch Star Wars again" after the child told him he saw the film 1000 times. Now of course I'm sure we have thousands of different versions as of his reason behind his feelings regarding Star Wars, but that's the last thing I've found about it.
What an amazing talent and lovable soul this man was The world lost an incredible personality when Sir Alec passed. One of my favorite film is "the man in the white suit". His portrayal of the main character is magnificent and completely believable. I don't think there is a movie with him in it, that was not awesome. RIP Obi Wan, the force will be with you - always.
@@tomread8748 And in Kind Hearts and Coronets, where he plays NINE different characters - if anybody hasn't seen it, I would recommend giving it a watch...
While of course fondly remembered for the comedies he did it's ironic that the two roles he so iconically embraces were the 2 films he thought were going so wrong: Star Wars and The Bridge On The River Kwai. In case of the latter he did say to David Lean, "You were right," after seeing the final product. Not sure if he ever said that to Lucas, but it seems like he had that sentiment in this interview.
I've heard the same stories about Alec hating star wars all my life. Never believed them for a minute. I have lived through ALL the Star Wars saga,seen most of,if not all the interviews by most of the main chapters over the years,and never,NEVER heard any of them,much Alec,say that they hated the experience,or regretted the experience! Sir Alec had been acting on stage and screen for 30\40 years before Obi-Wan, famous,historic plays and movies,of course he's as English as it gets,so I was never surprised he didn't get all emotional about his role. It wouldn't have been the same without him and his portrayal,and he's smart enough to have seen that!
Sir Alec was ALWAYS a breath of fresh air, no matter the production he was associated with. A true movie great, who has never been truly appreciated for his remarkable performances throughout the many years of his wonderful career.
Parky!!! This man was and in my opinion still is the undisputed king of TV interviews....and the audience don't laugh at every quip made by Sir Alec because they were genuinely interested in what he had to say.... An elegant talk show guest from a more civilised age......
Or worse : Host mentions film/advert/song the guest is involved with American audience - cheers wildly for now apparent reason in recognition. Hideous.
What he says about Star Wars sounds absolutely true: the bad dialogue, the freshness, the charm. I think the psychotic fans turned him off. It doesn't seem as if he was displeased with the film itself.
I would love to have met him and told him (after reading his indifference to star wars) how seeing him in star wars as a young boy caused me to watch all of his early films.
His bit on the half-percent being added and then ending it with his agent talking about getting it in writing... great, real-world joke, delivered flawlessly!
+AugustHawk www.imdb.com/name/nm0000027/board/flat/23181895?d=191361724#191361724 It's funny that Guinness regretted the impact that Star Wars would have on his career since later on Richard Harris had doubts about being in the Harry Potter films. Here were two veteran actors from the UK who were approached to portray a wise wizard character in two sagas that appealed largely to young audiences and they were a bit uncomfortable with the idea of being forever known as that one popular character that kids would be asking autographs from. Harris said he only accepted the role because his granddaughter persuaded him on the threat that she would never speak to him again, which sounds like a silly reason to take it. Sadly, Harris died a few years later after taking on the role and so it was the last big role of his career as he had feared. So far, the only veteran actor who has gotten to play a wizard in a popular saga and has openly expressed gratitude and contentment has been Ian McKellen because he was clearly enthusiastic about working on LOTR and going home with the memory of Gandalf and seeing him on posters and autographs. He clearly didn't mind the publicity and fame of Gandalf, especially since he's working on The Hobbit. It's strange how Harris and Guinness both felt unease about playing Dumbledore and Obi-Wan Kenobi and eventually those were the last big roles they took on, yet McKellen loved playing Gandalf and shows no regrets. Funny that Harris said that he thought McKellen was a dreadful actor, which I think shows a great distance between actors of a certain generation and how they differ in their tastes.
Terrence Clay Thank you for sharing, and well written. I wish these esteemed actors realized how much they have blessed generations of audiences, and, in that fact alone, were blessed themselves. One way these actors should look at this is that it makes their names well known to a younger generation who are likely now to go and "google" their names and watch their pevious works for which they preferred to be known. I know many young people who have done this. As far as why Richard Harris took the role in Harry Potter, I'm not surprised his granddaughter had such influence on him. Parents will do a lot for their children, but grandparents will lasso the moon, if need be! ;)
+Jamie Wooder Don't underestimate the influence of that old boys network though, it can and has ruined the careers of those who it thinks have taken roles "Beneath them". One example of this was the late "Harry H Corbett". At the start of his career he was fated as the "Next Olivier" in theatrical circles. However once he took the role in "Steptoe annd Son" for the BBC, they disowned him and no theatre in the West End would have him
+AugustHawk He didn't like the story or the dialog. He thought the concept of the Force was one of the most ridiculous things he'd ever heard, and he hated having to say those lines. But at the same time, he was a very professional actor on the set, and the other actors had nothing but good things to say about him. The fact that he delivered his lines with conviction despite hating them shows how good of an actor he was.
+Chathan Vemuri He was in "Tinker tailor soldier spy" and "Smiley's people" in I think 1979-81. Though these are TV rather than film, they are worth mentioning. They are TV masterpieces. In the UK at least, Guinness is still famous for them - and they should last for a bit as they really are quite something to watch.
I just love Sir Alec's voice. It's very grandfatherly, just like Dumbledore from *Harry Potter*. If he were alive around the time the films were first being made, I'm sure Sir Alec would do a superlative job portraying a Harry Potter character.
A priceless time capsule here. I adore the timbre in Sir Alec's voice and his take on things. He indeed was THE perfect actor for the role. Ironically..I'd never seen this interview before & I had just rewatched SWE4 just a few days ago. It'd been a couple of years. Interesting synchronicity. Occasionally in film or elsewhere..there is what ppl call, a 'Perfect Storm'. Star Wars was precisely that
@@dehavillandcanadatwinotter9621 id say Ewan sounded like him. Lets not forget that he studied sir alec for his role. so if u feel like there is some similarity, its because of that. lets not take away that also they tried to find an actor that could bring the character to life too. it wasnt like now where roles are made for actors and not the other way around.
"People are going to read too much into it" ALEC YOU HAD NO IDEA
LOL captain hindsight how fitting.
Didn't help that he had a rather low opinion of it either. LOL
Apparently he liked doing episode IV well enough, but had a low opinion of it because he really didn't like the Sci-Fi genre and he said in a magazine interview that he thought of it as more of a fun and happy children's movie than anything else. He enjoyed it and enjoyed waching it as he said... However, due to the nature of the fandom - and the strange letters he was starting to receive - he really didn't want to be in V and despised the role by the time VI rolled around.
I feel sorry for G man. To be typecast so late in such a legendary career in a genre he wasn't fond of, from a small but important part in a movie that was supposed to be just a fun little fluff piece and that garnered him the type of obsessive fans that make a serious and artistic actor like him cringe.
Captain Hindsight you tell it right captain hindsight.
Captain Hindsight +
Me and my friend chuckle cuz he was annoyed by SW , lmao :p
"the dialogue was pretty ropey, but I had to go on turning the page." star wars in a sentence
truth, in swtor i always had to do the next mission because it was really interesting, despite it looking laughable concerning the graphics and animations
Yupp
and he did in fact make changes to the dialogue that stuck.
I can’t believe that Sir Alec Guinnes hates Star Wars🙄
@@drystannelson3031 He didn't really hate it as much as people think. Alec was a classically trained actor, and he was frustrated that most people only knew him for his work on Star Wars and not any of the other movies he worked on.
Alec Guinness.........an elegant actor from a more civilized age.
I like what you did there
I understood that reference!😉
Not as clumsy or random as today's actors.
@@buoynscom Owww you have to stop it now 😂
He is the best obi wan from a certain point of view
"People are going to read too much into it"
understatement of the century right there
*Fast forward to the modern day when people are practically making a religion out of Star Wars*
@@tinobemellow Ha, ha, true, the original Star Wars are the catholic the prequels are the orthodox and the Disney crap is Protestantism
@@tinobemellow Well, if it is true that there is a multiverse ... there is a chacne that STAR WARS is real! ;) well, maybe... maybe not...
It would grow more powerful than Lucas could possibly imagine
@@IngoPagels by that logic, there's also a universe somewhere where everything is made of swiss cheese.
"People are going to read too much into it"
This man was a prophet.
It became more powerful than he could possibly imagine.
Truly a Gentleman is/was Alec Guinness. Have always enjoyed his work. Such subtlety in his performances often catching one off guard.
whats the prophecy ?
Ask James Dean.
@Lil Supreme You take familiar concepts and make them so unique that they don't visibly parallel the thing you're taking inspiration from and it creates a "wonder effect". I suppose George-and-friend's idea was to take as much out of those fields as possible to create an Epic. And it worked, I wonder if the Iliad and The Odyssey when it was made so long ago was just inspiration from every tale they knew of in the Mediterranean world. Cool shit.
According to Harrison Ford, during the making of the movie, he and Mark Hamill would usually fool around and not commit to their work as much whenever Sir Alec Guinness was not on set. When Guinness was on set, they behaved much more professionally. That's how much respect the man had from those around him.
Certain veteran actors, especially (but not exclusively) those having been involved with theater, seem to have that commanding presence and a kind of aura urging others to do their best as well. I have let myself understand Patrick Stewart had very similar of an effect on Star Trek: TNG cast.
Guinness basically was for STAR WARS, what Ian McKellen was for the LOTR films.
@@stalhandske9649 i love that reflexion. certainly seems like they command with their presence, and i think mostly has to do with how theater works, and the type of characters he did. they seemed to have a strong personality. so in a way, he pours his own essence on the characters he is in. no wonder they felt commanded to do better. he inspired that i supose.
@@thoso1973 Christopher Lee???
@@stalhandske9649 I think it was the other way around. The TNG cast - especially Spiner and Frakes - had the opposite effect on Stewart. They loosened him up considerably.
I remember that George Lucas' first idea for Obi-Wan was that he was somewhat crazy, but Sir Alec refused to play a crazy character, so George altered Obi-Wan to how he is in the movie. I'm forever glad Sir Alec made that suggestion!
Really? I would have loved a crazy Ben Kenobi. That would be in the tradition of the best zen masters. The best one were mostly crazy or would at least being a kind of fool.
Thank you for sharing this information. You made my day 😁.
Really? Is that perhaps where the ‘strange old hermit’ line originated from? I’m also glad that it turned out the way it did btw!
linchen008 Yoda’s first appearance probably payed some homage to that because he seemed pretty nutty at first. But I think this was just his type of humor, to troll Luke a little bit at first lol. And perhaps there was a little bit of crazyness in him that 900 years caused but obviously his wisdom was much greater than his crazyness (if at all, perhaps it was 100% humor).
@@greedokenobi3855 I think it was 100% Yoda's sense of humor, and using it to test how Luke would respond to someone he'd assume didn't matter.
Rowana Forrest I think so as well. Seems most likely.
People always say he hated Star Wars but he's very complimentary about it here. I think the hard core fans get sore that he wasn't more enthusiastic about it, but he was an old guy who'd done and seen it all by this point. He wasn't suddenly going to accept that this was now the defining role of his career.
I think he grew bitter towards it in the years to follow, because he didn't like how he'd suddenly become most famous for playing Obi Wan Kenobi, after a long and prestigious acting career.
I like star wars, and I certainly don't blame him. I've seen some of his other movies and he played some beautifull roles. And I think that any actor who enjoys his or her craft would prefer to be remembered for what they consider to be their best work instead of for movies they themselves did not like very much.
DCF - HazardReborn Alec Guiness was already famous and already had a distinguished career when he appeared in star wars. But due to it many younger generations only identified him with this single role.
Willem Verheij Yeah, Star Wars is some of his most forgettable work.
And I Well I would not go that far, like any great professional actor he gives a great performance even in a small part, same goes for Peter Cushing as Tarkin. Alec Guiness was great for the role since like the character he does have a certain wisdom about him.
I've not seen all of his movies, but I really liked him in bridge over the river kwai and Lawrence of Arabia.
He's right. What made the original Star Wars so good was how simplistic it was. It was pure unadulterated fun and it was pretty cool.
The original Star Wars movies didn't take themselves too seriously;
their main focus was to entertain the audience, and this is why they have a lot of action and humour.
They have sort of the same vibe as the Indiana Jones movies.
@@Peter_1986 Back to the Future I feel like as well, it's just action and jokes, and some heart.
Star Wars had a great story and loveable/relatable characters - in addition to groundbreaking special effects.
The prequels were polar opposite…
"The dialogue was pretty ropey.." That should be on George Lucas' tombstone.
ROOKTABULA well it’s curious that those weird dialogues become the most famous dialogues in cinema history! George was ahead of his era,the others simply not!
It's interesting how literary Sci Fi masterpieces from Vonnegut and Gibson's Neuromancer trilogy never translated well onto screen. Dune is a magnificent failure. Only Philip K. Dick's "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" was developed to full realization in Ridley Scott's Blade Runner (which also starred Harrison Ford). But that was made possible only by Star Wars - which was able elevate a B movie schtick into extraordinary visuals.
There's the Wrath of Khan, but that's a different universe...
@@mad4845
The really bad lines did not make the movie.
AFAIK there was at least one line that Mark Hamill simply would not say.
Harrison Ford famously told Lucas "George, you can _type_ this shit, but you can't say it."
If only Sir Alec was there to offer a few suggestions for the Prequels...
"a marvelous, healthy innocence"..."great pace"..."wonderful to look at"..."full of guts"..."nothing unpleasant"..."no horrors"..."no sleazy sex"..."a sort of, wonderful freshness about it" - Alec Guinness on watching the first Star Wars in the theatre. What a great time it was for cinema.
Mind you, I still have flash-backs to Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru's scorched skeletons!
I was 12 in 1977......the fallout of the Vietnam War, Disaster films and dark Sci Fi. Even Planet of the Apes was a story of mankind destroying his world to be enslaved by apes. Our parents depressed about the gas lines and a failing economy.....cocaine replaced weed, crime soared....music became increasingly divided...Then "Star Wars" was released. Sometimes I wonder if that movie gave me a better childhood, it truly made me a happy kid. What followed were dozen of movies and TV shows trying to capture that same magic. My favorite was Battlestar Galactica.
@@194853DodgeTrucks bears.. beets .. Battlestar Galactica.
Proves you can make a lot of money not doing sleazy and gory stuff
@@farflownfalcon1076 on paper, it's possibly the most violent film I've ever seen
What strikes me instantly about this interview is how authentic both interviewer and interviewee seem. It seems like a very natural conversation, free of consistent jokes and the artifice that is so common on the film promotion circuit.
How a celebrity interview should be
@Andrew Conrad That makes a lot of sense to me. A shame really, as it does feel very authentic.
It's also very frank. I've always heard that Guiness didn't have a high opinion of Star Wars and here he pulls no punches in this interview, stating with no hesitation that he found the dialogue ropey. That's pretty daring. Usually celebs tend to be very diplomatic with their responses especially toward their own projects and those involved in them. Much respect for Alec Guiness. The man was a class act.
It is all too common nowadays for interviewers to just ask stupid questions or boring predictable questions or even sometimes inappropriate questions. It's all really dull except to see the actor/actress having a conversation. This is more authentic and today lacks a whole lot of authenticity in almost all aspects of life now.
That was the hallmark of Michael Parkinson's interview show, and the reason it was so massively popular here in the UK. Today's equivalent is Graham Norton, who is just as skilled at putting A-list celebrities at ease, and getting them to really open up.
''Obi Wan Kenobi... Now thats a name I haven't heard in a long time, a long time...''
RafaelGamez Love that scene! Probably one of the best in all of StarWars!
Sharrel Wright No, not senile at all. He had been going by the name "Ben" for so many years that he was a little amused to hear someone mention the name that he had avoided using for probably twenty years.
Sadly, this man didn't like his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi and openly told people not to watch it for being "fantasy rubbish".
Of course i know him... he's me!
That mans just a crazy old wizard.
This is so British I suddenly feel like tea is in order.
DaveNoodles
Don't forget about the Crumpets...!!!
Payhole Everdouche I have never met anyone here in England who eats crumpets, I don't even think I've ever even seen them in supermarkets lol
+Mr Know Nothing You're joking?
Andrew Bulman Nope, but we are a nation of tea addicts ;)
Mr Know Nothing I would have happily said every supermarket in Britain sells crumpets. But then, I don't like tea (or hot drinks), so what do I know.
*"If you strike me down, I will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine."* The only actor to get an Academy Award nomination in the entire Star Wars franchise. Great, great actor.
Well that was just politics. He should have one for Bridge on the river Kwai. Its a masterpeice.
@@zapkvr He won Best Actor for *"River Kwai."*
@@56postoffice That was politics, too. ;-)
What? Harrison Ford was nominated for Witness. And he should have won it.
@@bengt-oveandersson2914 That was for *"Witness."* I'm talking about the Star Wars films. Sir Alec is the only actor to be Oscar nominated in the entire franchise in the acting catergory.
I bet the first thing Sir Alec Guinness said when he first met George Lucas in person was:
"Hello there..."
imagine, Ewan McGregor was but a six-year-old kid at the time that meeting took place. if only he knew.
Isn't that his first line in the movie?
@@thekraken108 Come here my little friend. Don't be afraid.
George Lucas: “General Kenobi!”
Oscar Vasquez no one's ever really gone.
I could listen to him talk all day long.
Christopher Thorkon me too
Christopher Thorkon who? Parkinson or Guinness?
George McDaniels
Oh Guinness. His voice is incredible and the content always interesting.
This is the most complimentary I've ever heard him about Star Wars.
"People are going to read too much into it". Masterpiece of understatement.
He didn't hate Star Wars, he was just upset that it became the defining role of his career after he was in so many great roles.
And also that far too many people started worshiping a movie as if it were an actual religion with a god, prophets, holy idols and core tenets. To him it was merely another movie. To some other people it was un unhealthy obsession and that annoyed him. Especially those who approached him as "Obi-Wan".
@@katewilliams4013 I agree, he probably felt that way.
Of the movies he has been in, not one of them took on a measure of attraction that A New Hope did. I wonder which one he must have hated more, being known for this role or for the any of the few lines people must have used in addressing him.
"I shot an arrow into the air; she fell to earth in Berkeley Square."
I bet he didn't mind the 2.25% of the profits! Kind of pissed at him for whining about it for so many years when he got SOOOO much damn money for his effort!
RIP Sir Alec! Will always be remembered as one of the all time greats.
Out of all the celestial objects in Star Wars, it was Alec Guinness that added the most gravity.
Yes indeed and he didn't even planet.
And Peter Cushing. His gravitas is a great balance to Guinness in the movie. "you're far too trusting" eeeevil Grand Moff Tarkin. Brilliant. I don't think the movie would have worked that well without those two class turns cast in it, not to mention the experience and help they gave George Lucas and the young freshmen actors.
Classically trained actors can add something extra to a film or show. Similar with actors such as Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart.
James Earl Jones' voice was pretty iconic as well, even though sadly the dialogue between these two was short...
@@Charsiupao yes, but he didn't deliver his lines with the same kind of force.
The producer pulled a Jedi mind-trick with that 'quarter of a percent'.
More of a sith alteration to the deal. All you can do is pray he won't alter it any further.
Good job he asked for it in writing, before it disappeared completely.
Facts 🤣
*waives hand* You don’t need to see it in writing.
@@c.s3369 when he says that you don't need to see his identification lol
I'm struck by the effortless way he slipped into the George Lucas impersonation. A master actor. He truly was one of the greats and in no way diminished by his role in Star Wars. He gave so much joy to all of us and I can't think of anything more relevant than that.
If anything, playing Obi Wan only served to broaden his appeal. It introduced him (and continues to introduce him) to a whole new generation of fans. I’m 55, and I saw Star Wars on the big screen on it’s opening day in 1977, when I was almost 10 years old. By that time I had already seen Bridge On The River Kwai, but I was an anomaly for my age and it really wasn’t until I saw SW that Alec Guinness became a part of my main frame. No disrespect to Ewan MacGregor, who did a great job of playing a young Obi Wan, but to this day most fans, both young and older, still associate Obi Wan Kenobi with Sir Alec.
This is one of the occasions where UA-cam’s algorithm has suggested an absolute diamond of a 4:40 clip.
Loved this from start to end.
Graeme Rodger yes!
I watched an interview of Ewan McGregor the day before yesterday. Then yesterday the algorithm suggested an interview of Peter Cushing on his role as Grand Moff Tarkin. Today it suggested this one with Sir Alec Guinness.
do you always talk like a sparkle princess and does your wifes boyfriend know?
Exactly how I stumbled upon this brilliant interview.
Thanks for the upload
RIP Alec Guinness 1914-2000
+The Boss Stage1 Serious innings. The Force truly was with him.
+Öykü Özer 86 isn't really "ancient" these days
The first prequel killed him.
I think the interviewer was right. After you see Star Wars, you just feel happy. Which is actually very rare with most movies.
Even Alec admits George has bad dialogue. It's just not his forte it seems
+TheMattMan095 He didn't say that- its because its a space movie and the dialogue is different to what he's used to. Personally I never had a problem with any of the dialog- only some of the stuff in the prequels.
+TheMattMan095 there are some extra guys who write dialogues I wonder why did not lucas use them
+TheMattMan095 Alec was the one who suggested they replace "laser sword" with "lightsaber".
darkhawk1979
really?
He dissapointed me With Wyatt Earp...but hey He Wrote EMPIRE STRIKES BACK BITCHES !!!
A truly great actor.
Yes.
TheEriczeppe
You obviously haven't watched any of his work before Star Wars.
TheEriczeppe lies
Capra, capra, capra, capra, capra!
TheEriczeppe
You saw him on the stage did you?
Despite being downgraded to 2.25 per cent for Star Wars, Guinness eventually garnered around 75 million dollars for his work in the films. I was a fan of Guinness long before his " Obi-Wan " days. The Ealing comedies and many other movies made him a British star of stature. My preferred role by him was Jock Sinclair in " Tunes of glory, " his personal favorite. He and John Mills were excellent with a dream supporting cast.
My favorite was "The Ladykillers" as well as "Cromwell". When Star Wars came out, i had no idea of who he was. Quickly became aware of the many fine films he made, going all the way back to the 40´s.
Films? But he was only in 1 film. He earned that much just from a new hope?
@@michaelbrandt5416 So glad you di
@@michaelbrandt5416 So glad you discovered the many facets of a great actor.
@andrew66862 do ghost get paid scale? 👻
It's just absolutely incredible to hear the man himself talking about one of the greatest film franchises in history as if it were any other fun little campy sci fi flick. Which of course is honestly all it was at the time. What a wonderful little slice of history, thank you for finding and sharing this with the world.
this comment deserves more thumbs
All the Star Wars movies are fun little campy sci fi flicks, except with big budgets.
i like SW and know a lot about the EU, but lets be honest: it's always been a silly little fun film for kids. I don't want to shit on SW because there's nothing wrong with being that, but the fact that people took it so far says more about the imaturity and ignorance of the average person, and that's the sad part :/. I understand why Alec Guness grew to hate SW.
PS: I've been playing TOR for about 3 weeks now and even though I enjoy it I am constantyl dissapointed at how SW is treated: 3000 years before the films and virtually nothing has changed: technology, architecture, fashion; the same 20 planets, carbonite freezing, etc.
Lucas said "The films are basically Western movies taking place in outer space..."
@@mikemartin5749 "We"? You mean you and a few other sweaty teenagers.
It was a good film, but it wasn't a new religion.
An actor who could do almost anything. He is greatly missed.
The same calibre as Alan Rickman
Almost. You should see his audition tape for the terminator. He was shit.
"The dialogue was pretty ropey."
The Prequels AND the sequels: "Hold my blue milk!"
One of our greatest ever actors and always seems such a nice guy he's a legend and truly missed
Completely agree. The younger generation don't know how great Sir Alec Guiness was. From Wikipedia:
Guinness won an Academy Award, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe and a Tony Award. In 1959 he was knighted by Elizabeth II for services to the arts. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960, the Academy Honorary Award for lifetime achievement in 1980 and the BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award in 1989. Guinness appeared in nine films that featured in the BFI's 100 greatest British films of the 20th century, which included five of David Lean's films.
@@bbwng54 wait you mean fellowship of the ring wtf?.
He freekin awesome! He gave the film the kick it needed. Obi Wan, the very mysterious, and wise... no one could've done that like Alec.
@@Jharrison6014 just like a gave a kick to your mom tho
@@justinmacarrhur1924 how do you know my Mom? (You trolls make no sense at all).
Watch “The Lady killers” or “Kind hearts and coronets” or even “Bridge over the river Kwai” if you want to see Sir Alec act, great films
And his two miniseries as George Smiley.
'The Man in the White Suit' is also a good one
Cromwell!
Or 'The Man in the White Suit'.
Seen Ladykillers
Is was amazing
He’s basically reiterating what Harrison Ford told George: ‘you can write this George but you sure as shit can’t say it’
Alec has a modicum more eloquence to him xD
Harrison said it the American way.
Love Harrison
Lol loved Harrison's idea of tying George up and holding a gun to his head while making him read his script.
he is an englishman, whatever that means.
It's too bad nobody said that to Lucas for the prequels. Especially Anakin's lines. OMG.
That voice is so magical.
"No horrors"
*The burned corpses of Luke's aunt and uncle:* Are we a joke to you?
Most people never noticed it.
Nothing compared to Texas Chainsaw & many other films of the 70’s
Bruh, I literally didn't realize those where their charred bones until I saw the Family Guy parody (or was it Robot Chicken?). Not surprised someone might miss it.
@@robertisham5279 6 year old me noticed it
Also Ponda Baba's severed arm in a pool of blood
My mum and dad had a classical record shop and Sir Alec used to spend hours in the shop while his lift (Daniel Day Lewis’s mum - they were neighbours) went shopping. He used to buy a lot of music. One day he wrote a cheque but forget his cheque guarantee card. He apologised to mum but she said it was fine. I said to my mum you should have said ‘don’t worry Sir Alec you own 2.25% of star wars’.
A few years later my sister accidentally dropped something on Sir Alec’s fingers - but that’s another story
What did your sister drop? 🤨
Alec Guinness has one of those voices I could listen to forever
God bless Alec Guinness,he was a wonderful actor and his involvement in Star Wars definitely made it a better film. I miss him so.
Seeing Star Wars in the theater with my father is one of my single greatest memories. Thank you for this video
Same here. I had just turned 8 and was sitting in one of the front rows with my father. I was terrified at first when that Darth Vader boarded the rebel ship. But it was thrilling throughout.
@@bigbadbootydaddy2025 same here, also Christmas Story when it came out with him at the Billerica Flick.
I remember going with my dad and younger brother when I was 6 in 1977 to see Star Wars, at Berkampsted cinema....you never forget a moment like that.
Same here. Dad took me and he still talks about how my jaw never left the floor! I was 6 yrs old!
Same only 5 but I can remember where I sat amazing really.
A "wonderful freshness." Perfect way to describe SW77.
It certainly can't be said of the "franchise" today.
I like how the older experienced actor helped the young director with the dialogue.
I am fortunately old enough to have appreciated Guinness long before Star Wars. The Lavender Hill Mob and Kind hearts and Coronets have always been two of my favorite films.
@Davis Statton Ah yes indeed Davis! I too am of the age where I can appreciate the two classics you mentioned...but then again....almost anything that Alec Guinness has appeared in is, in my humble opinion, a classic! Bridge on the River Kwai just another example of this superb actors ability! Cheers, Doons
RIP Sir Guiness. Shout out to Parky here too,, one the most prolific tv interviewers ever.
"Are people reading too much into your character?"
"Oh, I'm getting some very strange letters."
LOL
I can say as an 7 year old boy in New Zealand going to see this new film Star Wars my first night film ( exciting in itself ) was one of those moments in life that will never be forgotten….that start the music the tag line in a galaxy far far away then the rumble and the screen being filled with this amazing spaceship being chased by an even bigger spaceship well slap me silly we were all hooked and taken away to another time and another place it was awesome, best film of the franchise by far nothing beats the original Star Wars 😀
Are you actually me? 🤪 I saw Episode IV age 7 at the long-gone Odeon in Tauranga; I left the theatre walking on air. Hooked for life. Even the recent Jar Jar Abrams nonsense hasn't turned me off. Can't wait for the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series.
I saw the original Star Wars 42 times in the theater by 1978!! The tickets cost only $4 each, and I had been able to see the 4 special effects mistakes by then!
@@jjwrightnz lol awesome bro mine was the state in Masterton with my starsky and hutch wrap around jersey legends
I was a bit older -- 20, actually -- when Star Wars was released, but my memory is similar. I was sitting in the front row of the balcony in a classic old theatre in Halifax, Canada, and it felt like that battle cruiser was sailing just over my head. It was mind blowing.
A Gentleman, a fine actor, a beautiful voice, a legend, thinking of 'The Bridge on the river Kwai'. Such a great decision, to take on the role of Obi won, He saw something unique, and went for it.
I know he plays Obi Wan, but Alec himself seems like a very kind and very wise soul. I feel like I could’ve learned so much if i was a friend of his.
I read his memoirs and he seemed slightly cantankerous and miserable, I don't think you would gain that much being his friend.
@@holliswilliams8426 damn really?
Mark Hamill became friends with him after Hamill had uttered his frustration during shooting, upon which Guinness simply remarked:
"Relax, nothing in this business makes any sense."
The two kept up a correspondance for quite some years.
It's amazing Lucas was able to get Guinness and Cushing. Added some important gravitas to the film.
Lucas was clever, he knew very well that British actors with their sophistication and vocal quality would increase the level of his popcorn films enormously. That's why he hired people like Cushing, Guinnes, Lee, Connery, McDiarmid, Daniels, Glover, Neeson, McGregor, Stamp, Freeman, Rhys-Davies, Elliott, Stone, Hurt, Broadbent for Star Wars and Indiana Jones. This strategy worked very well.
@@juerv1 Kenny Barker is beeping in sad-tone R2D2...
@@simonhandy962 ????
@@juerv1 Also because a lot of the film was made in the Uk, so far easier to get hold of these actors where they live.
@@andypeterson3070 you don't have to pay for hotel bills when they live nearby :) ... Stanley Kubrick mentioned this before.
Why on Earth so many say that he disliked the film is beyond me.
He obviously loved it like we all do.
I think he was scepticle of it in the beginning. At that point in Alec Guiness's career he was on a downward slope and hadn't done very many good films for a while and nobody thought Star Wars was going to be a hit; let alone the biggest hit since Gone With the Wind. The man's an actor. He's paid to act. It's his trade. When Star Wars ended up making him more money than all of his other films combined, I think he came around.
In the press back in 77, he wasn't a fan.
@@iamthem.a.n.middleagednerd1053 thats a disservice to his great career as an actor, a "good" film is subjective, I enjoyed Hitler: The Last Ten Days and Caesar and Cleopatra both came out just a few years before star wars did. The fact is he remained very much active up until and after the star wars films. I agree no one expected this success but he didnt dislike them at all, what he didnt like is the stupid overbearing people it attracted, sadly something which the franchise will never shake.
He comes across to me as the most British gentleman ever. I would of expected him to climb into a spitfire after the interview and fly home. 👍🏻 they don't make them like this anymore.
Climb into a Spitfire. LOL. Brilliant!!
When you are this British they call you Sir.
Why, you're practically denying three other British actors that honor, namely Sir John Gielgud, Peter Ustinov and Sir Lawrence Olivier. They all can hold pillars for being very proper gentlemen, and well cultivated.
@@tuberobotto Don't forget David Niven
@fifthof why, are they some sort of worms or insects that you "culture"? Just joking lolsss
But I guess you must be right in those terms, they are well "cultured".
Out of all the Stars Wars stuff on UA-cam this is my favourite. It's from 1977 when no one really knew what Star Wars would become, it's just two people talking about a great movie they recently saw.
"dialogue was pretty ropey, but I had to keep on turning the page". George Lucas's work best summed up in one sentence.
A visual extravaganza and a set of relatable character will always make most people overlook really corny dialogue and a simplistic plot.
@@katewilliams4013 Simple plot but very engaging, George knew how to tell a story that anyone around the world could relate. It seems easy but most fail at it.
His George Lucas impression tho.
Tho ???
A.D.M Nurseries tho
@@deanmartin380 tho
A.D.M Nurseries tho
@@deanmartin380 tho
Amazing actor, amazing person. Kind, gentle, elegant in any expression. I discovered him recently and it makes me so sad that he is not with us anymore (for a long time now). Great loss for people who loved him. He lives in the memory of what he has given and left us.
You need to watch the TV series "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" and its sequel "Smiley's People". Both, thankfully, are on UA-cam.
An absolute masterclass in acting from Sir Alec.
A very elegant actor of a bygone era in cinema who is sorely missed. RIP Sir Alec Guinness (AKA Obi Wan Kenobi).
Gee. No one watching knew he was obi wan. They thought it was princess lea. Derp
I love his roles in “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Bridge Over the River Kwai,” and “Cromwell,” can’t wait to see some of his other roles.
Check out kind hearts and coronets..
@@ms3528 Best comedy ever made
Check out the quiller memorandum he only plays a small part but fantastic as always and a great film all round.
Thank you all for the suggestions for sure!
Check out the TV series Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. It's available on UA-cam.
How wonderful this came into my feed. I have never ever seen anything with Sir Alec talking about Star Wars. This is a gem.
It was not just Sir Alec who had a problem with the dialogue - but Lucas got around the cast by reminding them that the story was set "a long time ago in a galaxy far far away" and this is how they spoke. His 2.5% profit sharing deal was massively lucrative for him and enabled him to pick and chose all his subsequent work projects without giving any real consideration to money. Guinness subsequent problems with STAR WARS related only to some of the obsessed fans he encountered - as he personally liked working on the film and the finished project than he viewed just once.
Michael Muldowney He may have been referring to the dialogue in the original script that never saw the light of day, as the final result wasn't at all bad - more formal and operatic than real life, but memorable in a "sticks in your mind" sort of way (I hear every word of it in my imagination, with sound effects, when I play the soundtrack album, having seen the film so many times, sad, I know).
I am thinking of some terrible dialog that appears in the deleted scenes, such an extended conversation between C-3PO and Luke in the speeder talking about engine malfunctions and leaning back to fix them on the fly. I can't remember the exact words, but stuff along the lines of "Sir, the goiters are out of alignment", etc. That is, the worst attempt at techno-babble ever in the history of cinema.
Paul Coddington that sounds more weird than bad
@@paulcoddington664 Why are you gay?
Yes, ... fans need to learn actors are 'actors' ... and it's not 'real' ... but 'faked' what's on screen ... and show some respect that actors deserve privacy and respect when 'resting' between jobs ... and have the right to 'move on' from a role they've played in the past ... not be continually being a representative of that character whenever obsessed fans want them to 'dance' to that tune, sign autographs etc and interrupt a family day out.😩
In the Star Wars 'biography' titled "Empire Building," Guinness remembered a tv-show where he was confronted by a young teenage SW fan, who claimed he had seen the movie over a hundred times.
Guinness became rather serious and spoke to the boy, saying that his love of the movie had clearly turned into an obsession and he begged the boy to never watch it again.
Upon this, the young fan started crying uncontrollably.
Oh my word he mimicked George Lucas. That was the funniest thing I've seen all day.
What a sublime actor he was.
To be given this role proves what an utterly diverse actor he was, from comedy to serious drama to science fiction......fantastic talent.
Comedy, drama, science fiction, epic film, spy film, Shakespearean characters, historical figures (Benjamin Disraeli, Prince Feisal, Pope Innocent III, Adolf Hitler, Marcus Aurelius, Sigmund Freud, Charles I), and fictional (Herbert Pocket, Fagin, Gulley Jimson, Jacob Marley's Ghost, George Smiley).
His rank was incredible. I'm not surprised he was a little upset for being only remembered as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the last decades.
RIP Sir Alec Guinness (1914-2000)
You will never be forgotten.
@@ramonsancheztorello7111 Don't forget playing the title character in adaptations of GK Chesterton's Fr. Brown series. That role was of personally important to him, as it set him on the road to his conversion to Catholicism.
REST IN PIECE
Alec Guinness
1914-2000
He played colonel nicholson and ben kenobi!!!
Go and watch him in 'Kind Hearts & Coronets', he plays all of the parts ;-).
@@Chillmax Well, nearly all of them ;-)
And a fine job as Yevgraf in _Zhivago_
Peace, dude, it's phucking peace.
Till 2000? Wow, The Phantom Menace must've got him.
Wow he actually liked it!
At the time, yes. In the coming years he got tired of it being so popular and overshadowing his other work.
His relationship with the franchise is complicated. When it was being filmed he hated it, but after seeing it on the big screen he changed his mind. But years of people recognizing him as Obi-Wan Kenobi, rather than recognizing him for his other fine work, made him hate the series.
I had read that he originally didn't want the part because Obi-Wan dies in the movie.
Actually he suggested Obi Wan die
Alec Guinness and Harrison Ford weren't very fond of the dialogue, no wonder they both wanted their characters to die in the movies.
What an amazing candid interview. Nothing like we see today. Had no idea he had such a cut
This man clearly has the high ground.👏👏
One of the finest actors of any generation, he gave gravitas to any role he appeared in.
Incredible actor Alec Guiness! What a class act and amazing voice.
Love listening to Sir Alec talk about Star Wars in such a fond way, we all hear the stories of how he grew to resent the trilogy for overshadowing the rest of his career and telling children to stop watching it, but people forget that back when they were releasing he was genuinely quite proud of the film and really enjoyed getting to be a part of it all.
Last time I've checked, he didn't really hated Star Wars, but he started to be worry of the almost religious following it was starting to get, wich he saw as unhealthy and a bit dangerous, that's why he told the child "I must tell you that what I'm about to ask is unpleasant, but you should not watch Star Wars again" after the child told him he saw the film 1000 times. Now of course I'm sure we have thousands of different versions as of his reason behind his feelings regarding Star Wars, but that's the last thing I've found about it.
I appreciate his honesty with the dialogue, he’s a very prestigious actor & knows what it best for him.
What an amazing talent and lovable soul this man was The world lost an incredible personality when Sir Alec passed. One of my favorite film is "the man in the white suit". His portrayal of the main character is magnificent and completely believable. I don't think there is a movie with him in it, that was not awesome. RIP Obi Wan, the force will be with you - always.
He's amazing in The Ladykillers too. So deliciously sinister.
@@tomread8748 And in Kind Hearts and Coronets, where he plays NINE different characters - if anybody hasn't seen it, I would recommend giving it a watch...
@@richardpierpoint1415 an absolutely marvelous film
Try watching the card he's absolutely brilliant in that 😊
1 of the greatest actors that ever lived period!
Kevin Bolen a legend!! 👏👏
Not many actors nowadays could play 8 parts in one film (Kind Hearts and Coronets).
Yes and he is remembered for "it was true from a certain point of view".
While of course fondly remembered for the comedies he did it's ironic that the two roles he so iconically embraces were the 2 films he thought were going so wrong: Star Wars and The Bridge On The River Kwai. In case of the latter he did say to David Lean, "You were right," after seeing the final product. Not sure if he ever said that to Lucas, but it seems like he had that sentiment in this interview.
@@JohyeahM ".... my memoirs..."
Wha a respectable gentleman.
I've heard the same stories about Alec hating star wars all my life. Never believed them for a minute. I have lived through ALL the Star Wars saga,seen most of,if not all the interviews by most of the main chapters over the years,and never,NEVER heard any of them,much Alec,say that they hated the experience,or regretted the experience!
Sir Alec had been acting on stage and screen for 30\40 years before Obi-Wan, famous,historic plays and movies,of course he's as English as it gets,so I was never surprised he didn't get all emotional about his role. It wouldn't have been the same without him and his portrayal,and he's smart enough to have seen that!
wonderful that this exists !
Most honest and summarized Star Wars (A New Hope) review I've heard from someone who was an accomplished actor well before the movie was made.
"People will read too much into it": Sir Alec Guiness predicts Star Wars fandom.
Sir Alec was ALWAYS a breath of fresh air, no matter the production he was associated with. A true movie great, who has never been truly appreciated for his remarkable performances throughout the many years of his wonderful career.
What a great man for doing films like this and being brave enough to take the chance. He never knew what was going to happen.
Wow, a talk show where the host doesn't interrupt every half second, and an audience that don't behave like sheep
Yorkshires finest, Sir Michael Parkinson...
Crazy how they don't actually laugh at everything remotely funny
Parky!!! This man was and in my opinion still is the undisputed king of TV interviews....and the audience don't laugh at every quip made by Sir Alec because they were genuinely interested in what he had to say....
An elegant talk show guest from a more civilised age......
The Graham Norton Show?
Or worse :
Host mentions film/advert/song the guest is involved with
American audience - cheers wildly for now apparent reason in recognition. Hideous.
Omg I love him. I love all great britain actors. The british accent is sooooo beautiful.
What he says about Star Wars sounds absolutely true: the bad dialogue, the freshness, the charm. I think the psychotic fans turned him off. It doesn't seem as if he was displeased with the film itself.
Bad dialogue? It’s iconic.
@Richard Smart “scruffy-looking nerf herder” is ropey for sure
I would love to have met him and told him (after reading his indifference to star wars) how seeing him in star wars as a young boy caused me to watch all of his early films.
Now, that is probably something he would have greatly liked hearing. Might even have lessened his resentment a bit.
Had seen a lot of his films before Star Wars, so knew if he was in it, it was likely to be good (was 11 at the time).
He was so good it's impossible to picture any other actor playing that part now.
😂😂😂
Well...Ewan McGregor...
Richard Harris
From what I heard, they wanted to cast Toshiro Mifune for this role. I wonder how that might have been.
He gives the part Gravitas....
Elegant, the voice control, emotions , the way they dressed ....a different world back then
a more civilized time
Before the dark times, before disney
You can be like that know if you want, it just takes the desire & commitment.
"the dialogue was a bit ropy"
"if only we can get some of the dialogue altered"
haha lol
There's something so pleasant and calming about Sir Guiness' voice. I could listen to him read a documentary about soap.
Enjoyable interview. I enjoy his frank and honesty with always a kind demeanor.
I watched this back then with my Grandad and I remember just thinking what a well spoken man.
"A sort of freshness about it" - Sir Alec Guinness. I was so glad that you joined the cast to make it one of the best movies ever!
49 times, we fought that beast.
WorthlessDeadEnd it had a chickens head with duck feet, and a womans face too.
In fact there was this huge mess and I had to change the floors
The floors?
Jared Quintanilla you see his blood, it drained into the boards and I had to change em
But we all got a chicken, duck, woman thing waiting for us
That voice, that voice!!!..
His bit on the half-percent being added and then ending it with his agent talking about getting it in writing... great, real-world joke, delivered flawlessly!
The anagram 'Genuine Class' for this man in the Simpsons was the most spot on thing EVER.
To all the nay sayers who claim Alec Guiness loathed Star Wars - rubbish, and here's proof.
+AugustHawk www.imdb.com/name/nm0000027/board/flat/23181895?d=191361724#191361724 It's funny that Guinness regretted the impact that Star Wars would have on his career since later on Richard Harris had doubts about being in the Harry Potter films. Here were two veteran actors from the UK who were approached to portray a wise wizard character in two sagas that appealed largely to young audiences and they were a bit uncomfortable with the idea of being forever known as that one popular character that kids would be asking autographs from.
Harris said he only accepted the role because his granddaughter persuaded him on the threat that she would never speak to him again, which sounds like a silly reason to take it. Sadly, Harris died a few years later after taking on the role and so it was the last big role of his career as he had feared.
So far, the only veteran actor who has gotten to play a wizard in a popular saga and has openly expressed gratitude and contentment has been Ian McKellen because he was clearly enthusiastic about working on LOTR and going home with the memory of Gandalf and seeing him on posters and autographs. He clearly didn't mind the publicity and fame of Gandalf, especially since he's working on The Hobbit.
It's strange how Harris and Guinness both felt unease about playing Dumbledore and Obi-Wan Kenobi and eventually those were the last big roles they took on, yet McKellen loved playing Gandalf and shows no regrets. Funny that Harris said that he thought McKellen was a dreadful actor, which I think shows a great distance between actors of a certain generation and how they differ in their tastes.
Terrence Clay Thank you for sharing, and well written. I wish these esteemed actors realized how much they have blessed generations of audiences, and, in that fact alone, were blessed themselves. One way these actors should look at this is that it makes their names well known to a younger generation who are likely now to go and "google" their names and watch their pevious works for which they preferred to be known. I know many young people who have done this.
As far as why Richard Harris took the role in Harry Potter, I'm not surprised his granddaughter had such influence on him. Parents will do a lot for their children, but grandparents will lasso the moon, if need be! ;)
+Jamie Wooder Don't underestimate the influence of that old boys network though, it can and has ruined the careers of those who it thinks have taken roles "Beneath them". One example of this was the late "Harry H Corbett". At the start of his career he was fated as the "Next Olivier" in theatrical circles. However once he took the role in "Steptoe annd Son" for the BBC, they disowned him and no theatre in the West End would have him
+AugustHawk He didn't like the story or the dialog. He thought the concept of the Force was one of the most ridiculous things he'd ever heard, and he hated having to say those lines. But at the same time, he was a very professional actor on the set, and the other actors had nothing but good things to say about him. The fact that he delivered his lines with conviction despite hating them shows how good of an actor he was.
+Chathan Vemuri He was in "Tinker tailor soldier spy" and "Smiley's people" in I think 1979-81. Though these are TV rather than film, they are worth mentioning. They are TV masterpieces. In the UK at least, Guinness is still famous for them - and they should last for a bit as they really are quite something to watch.
This interview is so english that my cat and dog walked out into the kitchen and put a kettle on.
I just love Sir Alec's voice. It's very grandfatherly, just like Dumbledore from *Harry Potter*. If he were alive around the time the films were first being made, I'm sure Sir Alec would do a superlative job portraying a Harry Potter character.
A priceless time capsule here. I adore the timbre in Sir Alec's voice and his take on things.
He indeed was THE perfect actor for the role.
Ironically..I'd never seen this interview before & I had just rewatched SWE4 just a few days ago. It'd been a couple of years. Interesting synchronicity. Occasionally in film or elsewhere..there is what ppl call, a 'Perfect Storm'.
Star Wars was precisely that
In some parts of this interview he really does sound extremely similar to Ewan MacGregor
@@dehavillandcanadatwinotter9621 id say Ewan sounded like him. Lets not forget that he studied sir alec for his role. so if u feel like there is some similarity, its because of that. lets not take away that also they tried to find an actor that could bring the character to life too. it wasnt like now where roles are made for actors and not the other way around.
I love his voice too. I love how British actors are good with their voices, they really make the most of them.
He was an absolutely fabulous actor - great joy to listen to his every word.
He was such an awesome performer, a class, which 99% of todays actors never reach in their lifetime. Distinguished and eloquent.