A precise and observant actor, his early performances in The Avengers (e.g. "The Golden Fleece") were often the best in the whole production. theavengers.tv/forever/gale2-11.htm
I think he had a last-minute casting (to replace an incapacitated alcoholic actor) as Sean Connery's trainer in boxing drama Requiem for a Heavyweight (1957), learning the part extremely quickly with very little to no rehearsal. Very capable.
Great stuff, BBC Archive! The company car documentary was hilarious, and this little insight into Warren Mitchell's time at Oxford was fascinating. It's a shame no one makes TV like this anymore, but at least we have archives. More, please!
Absolutely one of the best insights into a man's soul I have ever encountered. Alf Garnet for all his rich hilarity fades beside the real Warren Mitchell. Especially the last longing remarks, what you least expect to find behind the facade is the revelation of his first and greatest love { I am sure family apart}.
Great upload, 1970 all them young blokes in the clip have an air of Nick Drake about them .The 60s had ended, The Beatles had broke up.But Warren looks pretty dapper here, and it was always a pleasure when he would be interviewed on tv over the years and I very much enjoyed his reminiscing here.
@@RogueCylon I lived there for a while in the 00s and I noticed in some people's recent videos that the large Botley Road (if I recall the name right, I was never great with names) and the entire area running up to Osney Island and the train station have been massively built-up with student housing. It was already getting a bit full of dubious self-store warehouses and shopping centres when I left, but now it was indeed nearly unrecognisable with how much more built-up it was - I didn't even notice the video _was_ on that street until I spotted a few key junctions.
I knew Warren was a world apart from his notorious character, Alf. His Oxford education, until now, was a surprise. Together with this return to his alma mater, it’s interesting and a gentle reminder of how class may shape perceptions of self and others.
The BBC in the 1970s seemed to be good at these personal, reflective, poignant reminiscences. I remember the former foreign correspondent James Cameron producing whole documentaries in similar vein. Wonderful.
He has a wonderful way with words - a combination of Harold Pinter and Bob Hoskins. I wonder what he would make of Alf Garnet’s world view gaining ascendancy in today’s Britain.
When I first started watching this video i felt a bit stupid because I’d thought it was going to be the Warren Mitchell from Alf Garnet. Then half way through I realised it was 🤣
'coming from a very Ordinary Jewish middle-class background' says Mysle/Mitchell - ' whats bloody ordinary about that? Look at you, sitting there in all your bloody Oxford pomp and glory' says Alf
That's how it was back then - people looked older at a younger age compared to the 2020s, and life expectancy has increased quite a bit since the 1970s. But I suppose you knew that already :)
It’s interesting that he did a 6 month short course in physical chemistry at Oxford then left and went to RADA instead of completing a full degree. Seems to have worked out rather well for him!
Warren Mitchell came from an extremely middle-class family. He grew up in a very lovely middle-class home so where he gets ordinary middle class background… I don’t call a six bedroom childhood home ordinary
Well, he didn't quite say that it was ordinary, he said it was "ordinary middle-class". Then (to a lesser extent now, because of the influence of American English), "middle-class" would have implied quite well-off.
A Spurs fan. Saw him at White Hart Lane. Tottenham v Man City back in the early 90’s. I’m a Gooner but went along with my Scum supporting friend to watch a game of footy.
So interesting to listen to Warren remembering what it was like to enter those hallowed halls. Let's hope the class discrimination he talked about has now been addressed and booted out.
1970: WARREN MITCHELL on life at OXFORD | Nationwide | Comedy Icons | BBC Archive 21.11.24 0951am 'kin didn't. there's a shortage now. where the hell have they gone... is it still rationed? life just deals me blow after blow... and, obviously, it aches. life, i mean...
Down by the river on a damp freezing morning still half asleep, then thrashing yourself to breaking point for 2 hours and you cant even see where you are going !! NO WAY You must feel pretty good when its over, but give me rugby training at 11am every day of the week instead of one sculling session.
I was just wondering if he was going to get misty eyed about the satanic rituals and secret societies, and it cuts to offering 51% of his soul to get back in. 😂
Followed by yet another anecdote about his sensitive crimes in a punt with a chap called Norman who had red hair and a poetry book stained with the butter drips from crumpets.
Indeed, I often wonder where Norman is now. Probably wintering with his mother in Guilford, a cat, rain, vim under the sink, and both bars on. But old now, there is no true beauty without decay.
A delightful tribute to a much respected actor. You can almost feel his regret at his lost youth and wanting to be back at Oxford again.
Or loss of hair! 😅😅
By the way, no offence intended regarding your comment.
@@alexdavies7394 No problem!
It's hard to believe he and Alf Garnett were the same person.
It really shows how good an actor he was.
no he's acting here....he actually sounded like alf garnett.
His pronunciation of the word "QANTAS" was "QANTARSE".🤣🤣🤣
A precise and observant actor, his early performances in The Avengers (e.g. "The Golden Fleece") were often the best in the whole production. theavengers.tv/forever/gale2-11.htm
I think he had a last-minute casting (to replace an incapacitated alcoholic actor) as Sean Connery's trainer in boxing drama Requiem for a Heavyweight (1957), learning the part extremely quickly with very little to no rehearsal. Very capable.
Did you miss where he came from, why are you surprised?
Great stuff, BBC Archive! The company car documentary was hilarious, and this little insight into Warren Mitchell's time at Oxford was fascinating. It's a shame no one makes TV like this anymore, but at least we have archives. More, please!
Absolutely one of the best insights into a man's soul I have ever encountered. Alf Garnet for all his rich hilarity fades beside the real Warren Mitchell. Especially the last longing remarks, what you least expect to find behind the facade is the revelation of his first and greatest love { I am sure family apart}.
Memories of one's youth grow richer as time passes. Everything yet to be discovered and experienced.
Mainly women.
I don’t know why ts k this came up in my feed, but I’m so glad it did
Same as
Absolutely marvellous piece
Great upload, 1970 all them young blokes in the clip have an air of Nick Drake about them .The 60s had ended, The Beatles had broke up.But Warren looks pretty dapper here, and it was always a pleasure when he would be interviewed on tv over the years and I very much enjoyed his reminiscing here.
R.I.P Alf Garnet. In sickness and in health we miss you mate.
I’m from Oxford lived here 44 years and I used to love living here but over the last 10 years I hardly recognise the place anymore.. sad times
What’s happened? I moved to the US, but used to love visiting Oxford. Not been there in 15 years.
@@RogueCylon I lived there for a while in the 00s and I noticed in some people's recent videos that the large Botley Road (if I recall the name right, I was never great with names) and the entire area running up to Osney Island and the train station have been massively built-up with student housing.
It was already getting a bit full of dubious self-store warehouses and shopping centres when I left, but now it was indeed nearly unrecognisable with how much more built-up it was - I didn't even notice the video _was_ on that street until I spotted a few key junctions.
The same can be said for the entirety of England I fear. Immigrants everywhere.
Hey look, a tedious old racist. @ultimatemagic2125
That last sentence - I agree...
Wonderful. Made me smile. I miss Oxford.
I like how in the painting of Lord Beveridge he had a beverage next to him.
I noticed that immediately!
A great actor, so different in real life to the Alf Garnett character he played so well. I had no idea he went to Oxford.
I knew Warren was a world apart from his notorious character, Alf. His Oxford education, until now, was a surprise. Together with this return to his alma mater, it’s interesting and a gentle reminder of how class may shape perceptions of self and others.
Love it when Alf Garnett is screaming to get out of him lol
Love Warren Mitchell.
An underrated talent.
The BBC in the 1970s seemed to be good at these personal, reflective, poignant reminiscences. I remember the former foreign correspondent James Cameron producing whole documentaries in similar vein. Wonderful.
He has a wonderful way with words - a combination of Harold Pinter and Bob Hoskins. I wonder what he would make of Alf Garnet’s world view gaining ascendancy in today’s Britain.
When I first started watching this video i felt a bit stupid because I’d thought it was going to be the Warren Mitchell from Alf Garnet. Then half way through I realised it was 🤣
'coming from a very Ordinary Jewish middle-class background' says Mysle/Mitchell - ' whats bloody ordinary about that? Look at you, sitting there in all your bloody Oxford pomp and glory' says Alf
The old 'Alf Garnett' just simmering underneath!! 😂😂
What a lovely chap, Respect!
We all miss you, Warren.
He is only 44 here. Easy pass for 53.
That's how it was back then - people looked older at a younger age compared to the 2020s, and life expectancy has increased quite a bit since the 1970s. But I suppose you knew that already :)
I did, but always nice to be reminded :)
Balding makes you look older.
It’s interesting that he did a 6 month short course in physical chemistry at Oxford then left and went to RADA instead of completing a full degree. Seems to have worked out rather well for him!
He was sent there by the RAF on a 6 month course not a 3 year degree.
Warren Mitchell came from an extremely middle-class family. He grew up in a very lovely middle-class home so where he gets ordinary middle class background… I don’t call a six bedroom childhood home ordinary
What you think 6 bedrooms = aristocracy?
Well, he didn't quite say that it was ordinary, he said it was "ordinary middle-class". Then (to a lesser extent now, because of the influence of American English), "middle-class" would have implied quite well-off.
But don’t forget that most at Oxford at the time wouldn’t have been ordinary middle class but pretty well-to-do
Ver y down to earth and humble man , polar opposite to Alf Garnet
A Spurs fan. Saw him at White Hart Lane. Tottenham v Man City back in the early 90’s. I’m a Gooner but went along with my Scum supporting friend to watch a game of footy.
Lovely.
And...he helped the Earth survive the Trollenberg Terror! ---That's what I know him best for here in the US.
Great stuff alf ❤
very good, wanted to hear more
So interesting to listen to Warren remembering what it was like to enter those hallowed halls. Let's hope the class discrimination he talked about has now been addressed and booted out.
No - today it’s more likely he would be yelled at or harassed by students in kaftans because of his religion
Good luck with that 🤣
Alan's snackbar no doubt 😆
00:32 I bet his name was 'Marigold' !
Great reference 😂
Universities encourage debating skills. And many we're influenced by books intellectual kind. Especially for spy's.
Good days
"An awful shortage of birds." That came out of nowhere.
1970: WARREN MITCHELL on life at OXFORD | Nationwide | Comedy Icons | BBC Archive 21.11.24 0951am 'kin didn't. there's a shortage now. where the hell have they gone... is it still rationed? life just deals me blow after blow... and, obviously, it aches. life, i mean...
He hasn't got a Cockney accent.😢
Neither did Pinter.
I knew a very nice Vietnamese woman who had a blouse like the one he's wearing.
Happy for you luv!
city of dreaming spires
City of immigrants .
City of perspiring dreams is the usual pun.
Now Alan's snackbars
Eton Harrow Oxford Cambridge the ruling class of Britain...
He's definitely wearing the clobber of those years. No grandad collar and braces!
Down by the river on a damp freezing morning still half asleep, then thrashing yourself to breaking point for 2 hours and you cant even see where you are going !! NO WAY
You must feel pretty good when its over, but give me rugby training at 11am every day of the week instead of one sculling session.
Sounds better than Alf but he was the opposite of Alf like Archie Bunker.
Ah the dreaming spires. It's a dream for me
she called him Mister Garnett -not so clever then ! Easily done I suppose.
I'm pretty sure that was staged.
I didn't know he was a radical Left Jewish person.
I was just wondering if he was going to get misty eyed about the satanic rituals and secret societies, and it cuts to offering 51% of his soul to get back in. 😂
The fake autograph signing bit was embarrassing.
Followed by yet another anecdote about his sensitive crimes in a punt with a chap called Norman who had red hair and a poetry book stained with the butter drips from crumpets.
Obviously a Withnalian...uncle Monty!!
Indeed, I often wonder where Norman is now. Probably wintering with his mother in Guilford, a cat, rain, vim under the sink, and both bars on. But old now, there is no true beauty without decay.
@@T4TipsGuides legium pro britannia
@@christophermartin7927 How right you are, how right you are.
1970: WARREN MITCHELL on life at OXFORD | Nationwide | Comedy Icons | BBC Archive 0948am 21.11.24 aye, go fag it!!!
Quality prearranged can I have your autograph moment 😅 nothing more cringe