He was big mates with my mam's brother, Ivor, they used to go drinking in the Ferndale Hotel amongst other public houses, great actor and real gentleman, I went to the scattering of his ashes in Llanwonno, never forgotten
I didn't even know who Stanley Baker was until 3 months ago when I saw Zulu for the first time. Now I find myself going through his works and really enjoy it. This interview confirmed what I have picked up from his acting. He is about doing the work and doing it well, it isn't about him at all. While he did get typed a bit as a heavy in the early works, his versatility once he broke out, was really great to watch. He came up with a great class of actors, and finding out he died so young was dissappointing for one who just "discovered" him. I am kind of irritated that his name has been getting purged off certain movie credits, which is unfortunate. I noticed that he was an honored actor at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022 and three of his movies were shown. I know he was extremely loyal to his family and his country and becuase of this it limited his access to certain roles. But it could have easily been Stanley playing Longshanks in Braveheart instead of Patrick McGoohan. Or he might have been cast as an officer in the Empire in Star Wars (in which his son later played a Lt.) which would have cemented his name to a totally new audience (as it did for Peter Cushing). I just saw Horatio Hornblower (1951) the other day and his look of total mischief as the ship's bosn, Mr. Harrison was classic! After I finish going through his life's work, I hope sometime in some future there is a place of recognition for the work of Stanley Baker.
'Zulu' is without doubt the role Stanley Baker is most remembered for. It's a shame the cigarette he has in his hand is what helped kill him when he was only 48 years old. RIP Sir Stanley...
Just wanted to pay my respects to a terrific actor and magnetic screen presence. It's always a bonus if Baker was in a film and thankfully 'Zulu' gave him an starring role in an international hit.
Hell Drivers is still a heck of a dark movie. Quite unusual for it's time. Patrick M was such a bastard in that. And the driving scenes are still edgy as hell.
????? Not sure I understand some of the comments here. Rare, vintage interview footage of a superb actor who gave us exciting, moving performances of real depth. Yet some users seem to have appointed themselves judges on a Council of Moral Judgment. Clanton takes the cake with that bit about 'Should have thought about his wife and kids while smoking all those cigarettes.' I don't smoke, but don't think I have the standing to convict hundreds of millions of smokers of not caring about their families. You've got to be a self-righteous prig to pass that kind of judgment on people you don't know.
Came in on this YT at random & was reminded of SB's powerful persona. Read comments as one does & as a result feel rather ashamed to be a member of the human race ~ as I have frequently felt when reading many other YT comments ~ due to the staggering depths of verbal depravity/cowardice in anonymity which SO many resort to in modern UK. What Oh WHAT has gone wrong with us all in this once proud nation which once led the world in SO many ways?? GOD HELP US.
@PeterFirthFan - and yes, stanley baker did speak and he did do his fair share. he was hardly out of the film until the moment when his character was killed off.
@FrankClanton - through smoking yes. but that doesn't mean that he deserved to die and such a young age. what about his wife and children? what about their loss?
@FrankClanton - well, i think you've shown everyone what kind of a person you are. clearly, you have no sense of compassion for someone who suffered a great deal towards the end of his life
Great actor but he was full of contradictions. He was proud to be a socialist but sent his kids to private schools and owned a large house in Spain (where he passed away).
He was big mates with my mam's brother, Ivor, they used to go drinking in the Ferndale Hotel amongst other public houses, great actor and real gentleman, I went to the scattering of his ashes in Llanwonno, never forgotten
Just discovered this actor after watching Hell Driver's. Sad to hear he passed so soon. What a great actor he was.
I didn't even know who Stanley Baker was until 3 months ago when I saw Zulu for the first time. Now I find myself going through his works and really enjoy it. This interview confirmed what I have picked up from his acting. He is about doing the work and doing it well, it isn't about him at all. While he did get typed a bit as a heavy in the early works, his versatility once he broke out, was really great to watch. He came up with a great class of actors, and finding out he died so young was dissappointing for one who just "discovered" him. I am kind of irritated that his name has been getting purged off certain movie credits, which is unfortunate. I noticed that he was an honored actor at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022 and three of his movies were shown. I know he was extremely loyal to his family and his country and becuase of this it limited his access to certain roles. But it could have easily been Stanley playing Longshanks in Braveheart instead of Patrick McGoohan. Or he might have been cast as an officer in the Empire in Star Wars (in which his son later played a Lt.) which would have cemented his name to a totally new audience (as it did for Peter Cushing). I just saw Horatio Hornblower (1951) the other day and his look of total mischief as the ship's bosn, Mr. Harrison was classic! After I finish going through his life's work, I hope sometime in some future there is a place of recognition for the work of Stanley Baker.
'Zulu' is without doubt the role Stanley Baker is most remembered for. It's a shame the cigarette he has in his hand is what helped kill him when he was only 48 years old. RIP Sir Stanley...
I always thought Stanley Baker was never given enough leading man roles. He was a very good actor
The Cruel Sea was epic in every way.
Stanley was magnificent in knights of the round table from the early 50's.
A wonderful actor, and a true Welshman.
Just wanted to pay my respects to a terrific actor and magnetic screen presence. It's always a bonus if Baker was in a film and thankfully 'Zulu' gave him an starring role in an international hit.
A great actor, a Stanley Baker film is always a guarantee for a great film!
He is my great grandfather!
Nice claim to fame. And from The Valleys.
Hell Drivers is still a heck of a dark movie. Quite unusual for it's time. Patrick M was such a bastard in that. And the driving scenes are still edgy as hell.
You are SO right !!
Also, Sean Connery is in the movie
@@Bruce15485 During the fight scene he is standing in the back.
Always liked McDonald Hobley's presenting/interviewing technique, a very urbane gentleman!
????? Not sure I understand some of the comments here. Rare, vintage interview footage of a superb actor who gave us exciting, moving performances of real depth. Yet some users seem to have appointed themselves judges on a Council of Moral Judgment. Clanton takes the cake with that bit about 'Should have thought about his wife and kids while smoking all those cigarettes.' I don't smoke, but don't think I have the standing to convict hundreds of millions of smokers of not caring about their families. You've got to be a self-righteous prig to pass that kind of judgment on people you don't know.
Well said and well put !
This was before smoking was bad for you anyway
Thanks for your comment. In a way, judgmental folks do seem to miss the larger points on this path. Peace to you & rest in peace, Mr. B.
Stanley is my 3rd cousin because he’s my welsh grandma’s cousin
It was said he had more screen presence than Richard Burton I would have to agree.
He interviews very well
The wardrobe is completely timeless here.
Great actor. Enjoy all of his movies, especially "ZULU"
He would have made a great Bond.
Came in on this YT at random & was reminded of SB's powerful persona. Read comments as one does & as a result feel rather ashamed to be a member of the human race ~ as I have frequently felt when reading many other YT comments ~ due to the staggering depths of verbal depravity/cowardice in anonymity which SO many resort to in modern UK. What Oh WHAT has gone wrong with us all in this once proud nation which once led the world in SO many ways?? GOD HELP US.
Stanley in Zulu,,,Genius
Amen to that ! And Michael Caine is wonderful in "Zulu" too !
Actors who performed in the West End in the 1950s were expected to talk like Laurence Olivier.
Hell Drivers is a classic with a great bunch of actors. Shame they werent all still alive for a re make.
Right on in regards to "Hell Drivers"....what a powerful cast !!
He is legendary cool. What a shame he died so young.
about 20 minutes from where I once lived. Baker is yet another great actor to come from the Welsh valleys.
Yesterday's Enemy is another S.B. classic. Highly recommend
Baker was excellent as Achilles in HELEN OF TROY. And very good in ZULU.
wonder how he aquired that burton-like queens accent, coming from a welsh mining background
How Now Brown Cow! a real Welsh Valley boys voice right there!
Gracias. Lo comparto.
What a guy!
Terrific actor, taken too soon. Would have made a great James Bond.
Drinking companion of Richard Burton- two grand Welshmen!
Best Welsh actor next to Burton and sheen!
@PeterFirthFan - and yes, stanley baker did speak and he did do his fair share. he was hardly out of the film until the moment when his character was killed off.
What fucking business is it of your years how many fucking cigarettes he smoked a day?
other good films his been in is Robbery,Perfect Friday
Loved Him / Stanley was a Super Rat as a Baddie.
I'm rugged.
Hell Drivers a great black and white gritty drama,they don't make 'em like that anymore,unfortunately!Paul the Luggage
@PeterFirthFan - obviously, you are not talking about the same film, one of the best war films ever made.
Me encanta Stanley backer que interpretó astaroth en sodoma y gomorra
@FrankClanton - you have your opinion but i happen to consider hell drivers as one of the all-time greatest british films that was ever made.
@FrankClanton - i happen to disagree. i love the guns of navorone. your opinion only. middle-aged actors can still be effective as soldiers.
@FrankClanton - through smoking yes. but that doesn't mean that he deserved to die and such a young age. what about his wife and children? what about their loss?
Hell Drivers
@FrankClanton - that's his choice isn't it? it isn't for you to judge.
@FrankClanton - well, i think you've shown everyone what kind of a person you are. clearly, you have no sense of compassion for someone who suffered a great deal towards the end of his life
Great actor but he was full of contradictions. He was proud to be a socialist but sent his kids to private schools and owned a large house in Spain (where he passed away).
+nfelvis68 So is being a tory. How can you care about people if you believe in free markets and every man and woman for themselves.