December 29, 2003

Alan Bates, 1934 - 2003.

Alan Bates Eoliano posts:

I think the first time I saw Alan Bates (so very many years ago) was in Harold Pinter's The Caretaker, now only a faint memory. However, I'll always fondly remember him as Basil in Zorba the Greek, as well as in Butley, Georgy Girl and The Go-between. He certainly gave the finest performance in An Unmarried Woman. And more recently as King Claudius in Hamlet, and unforgettably, with not nearly enough screen time, as Mr. Jennings in Gosford Park.

Zorba: Why do the young die? Why does anybody die?

Basil: I don't know.

Zorba: What's the use of all your damn books if they can't answer that?

Basil: They tell me about the agony of men who can't answer questions like yours.

Zorba: I spit on this agony!

If you read only one obituary: Alan Strachan in the Independent.

Tributes are just pouring in at the BBC site.

The Alan Bates Archive.

While we're on the subject of obituaries, our Craig Phillips notes that Hong Kong actress/singer Anita Mui has passed away at the very, very young age of 40. (Thanks Ian Whitney for the tip) Really loved her in Rouge.



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Posted by dwhudson at December 29, 2003 10:08 AM

Comments

A rough year for the Hong Kong film industry, with both Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui passing away. Both of whom starred in ROUGE, as lovers who attempt suicide together. In the movie, only one dies.

Mui was an amazing actor and a gigantic pop star -- a major Hong Kong talent. She's also great as Jackie Chan's mom DRUNKEN MASTER 2.

Posted by: Tod Booth at December 31, 2003 4:37 PM