John Gielgud | Ulysses (1996)

[stevevandien]

Sir John was one of the most distinguished and powerful speakers of English during the past 100-odd years.

Gielgud was 92 when he recorded this commercial. Not surprisingly, his voice, so magnificent for so long, had lost resonance. But his unique timbre remained intact; and he still treated every word as a painter does his or her hues, shades and overall canvas --

[MrHongKongBuffet]

I'm going to attempt to watch "Trash Humpers" in its entirety. This may come in handy.

[92af]

John Gielgud had such a beautiful voice

[vincepricefan]

A truly legendary actor I wish he were still with us.

[cheeriosinabowl]

Upper crust acting for the elites.

[jg2904]

@cheeriosinabowl Great art is universal.

[cheeriosinabowl]

@jg2904

... well,  true enough.

[BurningEclipse77]

@KidMillions blip.tv/brows-held-high, Ken Park. This sends him to Pretension Nirvana.

[zoidbergnoise]

@KidMillions he uses this particular joke in his ken park review. Just look up Brows Held High on google and his blip account should show up as the first hit. The show is hilarious man.

[zoidbergnoise]

@KidMillions ah. its done by oancitizen a reviewer online. He does reviews of artsy films and used this in a joke he had. Apparently few people know about it...which is sad really.

[elltell1990]

@KidMillions A series by OanCitizen from Reveiwtopia. He calls this Pretention Nirvana lol He thinks it's beautiful. :)

[zoidbergnoise]

anyone else here because of brows held high?

[GroteB]

@zoidbergnoise The TV-tropes page of BHH, but that still counts right?

[aveyowyns]

the planets!

[feenixrising10]

One of my favorite actors...he had so much class and character.

[opsimathics]

perfect diction. what delivery, what rethoric.

[Olivergecko]

A nice selection from the Jupiter Composition.

[hhhuman]

"till I die"!

Yes, through all difficulties to the starry skies, towards the shining stars and beyond.

[DominionOfTheSword]

@JONNOG88 It's very patriotic and British. They should blare this through speakers against the BNP and EDL marchers/yobs

[zabara99]

Awesome.

Just Awesome.

[kronoscorvinus]

This is a great poem, hardly appreciated today-Ulysses as the best and most noble, rebellious and adventuresome of men; who discovered America, Ulysses; who first walked on the moon, Ulysses; who envisioned Relativity, Ulysses; who commanded "Endurance" and returned alive with most of his crew, Ulysses; who will walk on Mars-Ulysses; who will walk into a frightening future and conquer fear-Ulysses.

[John27346]

@kronoscorvinus I'm sure his mother would have been proud.

[markowenh]

Love Sir John..His Tempo ..His Gravitas...His Elocution..Hate that it's a draw for a bank--Regardless... I wouldn't have missed this for the world

[92af]

John Gielgud was much better than Laurence Olivier was

[mcleodricky]

I saw John Gielgud in 1964 when he was touring his one man show 'The Seven Ages of Man' in New Zealand....but this reading of Tennyson....well it doesn't get much better than that !!

[TulseLuper]

Even in his 90s, Gielgud still spoke and performed like nobody else.

[oancitizen]

Call me an idiot, but what's the music? I keep hearing this piece but I've never learned its name.

[Braun30]

@JONNOG88 I think the title is "I Vow to thee my country"

[Velouria]

@oancitizen It's from Gustav Holst's piece Jupiter from his Planet's Suite. It's about a third of the way in.

He used that section of Jupiter for the song I, Thou to Thee My Country

[92af]

John Gielgud might be gone, but he will live futher in our memories.

[sharonkoshy21]

thank you mr. seilgud...your guidlines helped me to win all kerala first in english recitation............<3 <3

[Ridwee]

I regret that I never had the chance to see him live in a play.

[NNHH3]

Best recital ever. He's got an awesome voice.

[BouncePounce]

One of Britain's best actors.

[apexxxx10]

Thank you Union Bank of Swizerland.

( I did not know they were so generous)

Merci beaucoup KidMillions

Kiitos paljon YouTube

Dr John

CarSanook ( dot com)

Bangkok

[diaryofjesus]

hey raymond je suis sur que tu est devant!! bizou agathe

[92af]

John Gielgud was a awesome actor

[rogeriobatthus]

Well, if you like Edward Hopper you're ever welcome. lo/

[jthweatt]

They should have done one of these for Thomas's "Do not go gentle into that good night."

[dante144]

Jupiter!

[n7275]

What is that music?

[alexbron80]

Elgar, Enigma Variations (Nimrod's theme)

[jthweatt]

It's not Nimrod from Enigma Variations. They use that one in Ben Kingsley's recitation of Ozymandias.

This music comes from the middle of Jupiter, from Holst's The Planets.

[hanson666999]

The human soul must never yield, a wonderful version of a splendid poem (or part of it).

[Naiant]

Yes, that's how it done. May you find the Isles of the Blest, sir.

[sternaparadisea]

Mesmerizing!!!!!!! There's nothing to say, great poetry and masterful performance ...what ideas and what temper !

[berg1935]

acojonante

[meanvince]

I don't think there are many things to match a really good recital - and it takes more than a good, projective voice. It takes real understanding of the content of poem to draw the listener in - not just an ability to follow the cadence. This was wonderful.

[tetrabiblos]

I know the style is now out of fashion, but who reads poetry as well as this, these days? And what a wonderful poet Tennyson is - also out of fashion.  Are we living in a world which knows much about great art?

[joeyeff]

Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot, but he'll remember, with advantages, what feats he did that day. Then shall our names...be remembered ... We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; for he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile, this day shall gentle his condition; and gentlemen in England now-a-bed shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks that fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

[haszehem]

Such majesty in some lines...a hole life of a monumental glory:) Beautiful, beautiful....

[ochota]

Giełgud

[lovelyirene2001]

One of Sir John Gielgud's last performances. It is simply & poignantly distinguished & awe inspiring.

[orlachand]

What's the music in the background?

[tokyoisfun]

Holst, Jupiter.

[toscaninizt]

yup its the hymm from jupiter from holsts the planets. i think its also the tune to i vow to thee my country

[olibrown1234567890]

amazing perfect reading

[tubeeorrnottubee]

I absolutely loved this genius~ Thank you!:)