The Times Online has a new interview with Michael Gambon who gives a series of answers about his lengthy acting career, as well as some thoughts on the Harry Potter films. The award winning actor who portrays Hogwarts Headmaster Professor Albus Dumbledore says he does not watch too many of the films he is in. Quotage:
MG I just hate the idea of being well known. I know that is almost impossible if you’re an actor who has done okay, but I’ve always fought against it.
DW So when you come on stage, people don’t say, “Oh, there he is.”
MG Yes, so I’m just an actor playing a part .
DW So, why then accept a job on a Harry Potter film?
MG Because you’re wearing an enormous disguising outfit.
DW You don’t get recognised by kids?
MG A child did approach me in a restaurant in Cornwall, but he thought I was Gandalf.
DW Had you seen the films?
MG No.
DW Have you seen any now?
MG No.
DW Not even the ones you’re in?
MG Oh, hang on, I saw one.
DW Is that because you don’t like to see yourself in anything?
MG No, I find it really alarming. And the older I get, the worse it becomes. I nip in to have a quick look, then I walk out and have a cup of tea, then nip in again. You can hear it in the other room, where it feels better.
As seen by the photos and reports posted over the weekend from location filming, actor Michael Gambon is returning in his role as Professor Dumbledore for the upcoming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which is due in theaters next year. Thanks Ryan!
Let it be reiterated that MOST actors do not enjoy watching their performances on screen, and this has NOTHING to do with the quality of those performances. Some actors are just self-conscious or bashful (would you like to watch yourself?.) Also, it is rude and presumptious to attack Gambon by saying he only does Potter for the money or that it’s just another role to him when he has never really opened up a great deal about his feelings about playing Dumbledore. Also, how do you know that Gambon doesn’t know who Dumbledore is? In fact, why is it that some fans continue to believe that there is only one interpretation of Dumbledore’s character? Some people like Gambon’s performance as Dumbledore while other’s hate it. Some think Bonnie Wright is the perfect Ginny and others disagree. Even great characters like Hamlet have been open to a million different interpretations, and it’s possible that some prefer one over the other. I short, no one should proclaim that they know exactly who Dumbledore is (Harry has trouble knowing this) and how he should be portrayed; and anyone who does not match that conception exactly is a horrible actor who must be fired and scolded repeatedly by fans.
Sorry for another post. I understand that everyone here is simply expressing their opinion and I agree wholeheartedly that this is right for all in the Potter/Leaky community. I am only getting passionate (perhaps too much so) about this issue, because sometimes it seems that commentors seem to take every opportunity they can to vent their hatred of Gambon as an actor and sometimes as a human being. I do agree that Gambon’s performance could be enhanced somewhat by reading the books, but it isn’t necessarily the cure all for everyone’s criticism’s of his performance. As you say, one would have to influence the way directors, writers, and producers make the film as well. Take, for example, everyone’s favorite trophy room throttling scene. Gambon could have delivered a take out of the 30 or so they may have done that day for the film, but Newell ultimately decided to go with the angry one. Actors often do vastly different performances in the many takes of a scene they get to do so that a director has discretion as to which one serves their vision best. Nonetheless, it is completely understandable that an actor’s performance simply rubs you and others the wrong way, but I wish some of the harsher critics would admit that it’s just a feeling they have and not lay blame on Gambon’s acting ability. I have a great respect for all of you and your opinions, and I enjoy the fact that the Potter fandom and the books/films themselves allow for so many different interpretations and preferences.
I think MG is getting better with Dumbledore. I watched the movies before I even picked up one of the books and I loved Dumbledore from the movies but when I read the books I had an even bigger look at who Dumbledore is so now I HATE the dumbledore in the movies lol. He needs to be softer. I think it’s really really important for him to grasp that before he does the seventh film because the reason why the things that were said in DH were so shocking was because we always viewed Dumbledore as sooooo cheery and nice and warming. So he needs to give Dumbledore that so it will have a greater effect when we find out the secrets in movie seven.
and wtf! he hasn’t seen the movies?! Now that just bugs the hell outta me and NOT fair at all. Because I’d kill to be an actor like that in a movie just so I can have the thrill of seeing myself on screen. It’s almost like a waste to me… he should just stick to stage then.
I think that Mr. Harris protrayed Dumbledore perfectly, with the way that he looked over his half-moon glasses etc. I’ve gotten used to Mr. Gambon playing Dumbledore, at first it was shocking but it’s ok now, I think that the Dumbledore that Mr. Gambon protrays is too agressive. Probably his best performance in the HP movies would be in OotP(though the other ones were GREAT too)!!!.
And why did they make this version of Dumbleore have no half-moon glasses(sometimes), I feel like there’s something missing when I see him without them in the movies.
I don’t reaally mind that he doesn’t watch the movies. It’d be better if he did, because I’d imagine most actors would see themselves and think of how they could improve or something. But I forgive him because I thought he was so much better in OOTP, and properly DD like for once. I just hope he’ll pull off HBP without shaking anyone to death :P.
“Drunken Pirate.” I’ve never heard that description before, but it is sort of fitting. MG plays DD as being slightly out of control a lot of the time. In the books, DD was NEVER out of control. The scene in GOF where DD chokes Harry is the most striking example of this flaw. That’s why people point to that scene. To anyone who has read the books, the idea of DD hysterically grabbing Harry like that is simply laughable.
God, Michael Gambon is such a jerk. He can’t be arsed to read the books, he hasn’t watched the movies, he hasn’t got a clue what he’s doing and he doesn’t even CARE! HE SHOULDN’T EVEN BE ALLOWED TO BE IN THE FILMS!!!! I HATE HIM!!!!!!
"Oh, [Lockhart] is marvelous," she said. "He knows his household pests, all right, it's a wonderful book...."[br]"Mum [i]fancies[/i] him," said Fred, in a very audible whisper.[br]"Don't be so ridiculous, Fred," said Mrs. Weasley, her cheeks rather pink.
Let it be reiterated that MOST actors do not enjoy watching their performances on screen, and this has NOTHING to do with the quality of those performances. Some actors are just self-conscious or bashful (would you like to watch yourself?.) Also, it is rude and presumptious to attack Gambon by saying he only does Potter for the money or that it’s just another role to him when he has never really opened up a great deal about his feelings about playing Dumbledore. Also, how do you know that Gambon doesn’t know who Dumbledore is? In fact, why is it that some fans continue to believe that there is only one interpretation of Dumbledore’s character? Some people like Gambon’s performance as Dumbledore while other’s hate it. Some think Bonnie Wright is the perfect Ginny and others disagree. Even great characters like Hamlet have been open to a million different interpretations, and it’s possible that some prefer one over the other. I short, no one should proclaim that they know exactly who Dumbledore is (Harry has trouble knowing this) and how he should be portrayed; and anyone who does not match that conception exactly is a horrible actor who must be fired and scolded repeatedly by fans.