Life of Colonel Blimp - Anton Walbrook on England

[FORZAISRAELE]

I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS ACTOR, GAY AND 1/2 JEW LIKE ME. A FANTASTIC AND SEXY MAN.

[caley956]

For those who don't know, he was born Anton Wohlbruck in Austria and knew Emeric Pressburger, who wrote this scene, in Germany prewar.

[mutikonka]

@caley956 I thought he was born Adolph Wohlbruck, but changed it to Anton for obvious reasons

[caley956]

@mutikonka - yes he was originally Adolf Wohlbrück, so sorry about that. Brain out of gear as usual.

I must say IMHO that scene is one of the best performances ever. As others said, subtle, understated, mesmerising. You can see his art AND his life going into it.

[artj22850]

Finally saw this film and it's wonderful. I had to settle for a region 2 PAL DVD; had to watch it on my computer, but it's well worth it. Walbrook's role is the best, in my opinion; although, the other actors do a good job, too. Livesay is very convincing as he ages; Deborah Kerr is always amazing. Impressed what a good job they did makeup-wise. Nothing in the film seemed fake; yet I am sure elements were 'trick photography' (pre CGI)....beautiful artisic film. Another great from The Archers!

[GuinnevereB]

*Sigh* He was a great actor. The tone of his voice here is deceptively off-hand, as if he were saying something of little importance, but his face tells it all. The emotion is so convincing, so subtle and elegant — so real — it's heart-wrenching.

And he was gorgeously handsome, too. What a shame American film audiences didn't get a chance to see him often enough.

[arisztidoltz]

Oh look at his teary eyes! You just wanna give him a hug don't you! Gawd I love him!

[artj22850]

Incredibly touching scene. He is amazing. I loved his performance in "The Red Shoes"; every scene he was in I could not take my eyes off him; he was so mesmerizing. I so want to see this entire film. It looks incredible.

[KitanoSonatine]

masterpiece!!!

[missmccrocodile]

Thanks for the post. A standout scene in a fabulous film.

****

[percommode]

@missmccrocodile

Seconded. Watched it again yesterday for the umpteenth time and couldn't believe just how mesmerising he was in this particular scene. One of cinema's iconic moments.

[mutikonka]

Yes this is one of my favourite Anton Walbrook moments. The other ones are his speech as a Hutterite farmer in Canada in reply to Eric Portman's Nazi U-Boat captain, and his witty putdown as Lermontoff of Moira Shearer at the start of the Red Shoes. ("I suppose it's too late for apologies?").

Deborah Kerr is very young in this film but I think she also made Major Barbara or Love on the Dole before this.

[mothgirlwings]

I saw this film on the big screen, and am a huge Anton Walbrook fan. I was stunned by this speech and the greatness of his performance, and it's stayed with me for years. This is a marvelous film, as is anything by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger - (it was also Deborah Kerr's film debut, I believe) - highly recommended.

[jorgita07]

I think this speech is great... it's a pitty it's not the complete scene: he is being asked by the immigration officer why he took 8 months to realise that Hitler was such a threat. And he answer sth like "pardon me, but you, the English, took 5 years to realise that..." Best answer ever! Such a critical and incredible film!! Not to mention David Low's Colonel Blimp on which the movie is based!!! What an enlightened cartoonist!

[sandrahn]

I have just seen THE LIFE AND DEATH OF COLONEL BLIMP for the first time and it totally blew me away! One of the few Powell films I hadn't seen. This particular scene is absolutely one of the most moving, most memorable, most powerful film monologues I've ever seen. It is absolutely wrenching. The actor is superb. The film is something I can't get out of my head, it's just a remarkable piece of work.

[pinkchampaneandroses]

I love the life and death....It's a gr8 film!

[mutikonka]

Yes - he sounds like a Scot but I can't see any reference to Scotland in his biography.

[bodinedrums]

Roger Livesy has the most fantastic speaking voice. I love all P and P's films.

[mutikonka]

thanks - corrected!

[Johnnyzaraks]

Yep, a great clip. It's actually from 'The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp', though..........