Michael Gambon On Acting, Films, and the Harry Potter Series
Gambon
Posted by: Sue
October 29, 2007, 12:16 PM
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!
Three scenes I didn’t like Gambon in:
1) GoF. Gambon did not come across as “SCARY” when he confronted Crouch, Jr. He came across as terrified. Dumbledore does not get scared. He just doesn’t. We should have seen the only Wizard Voldemort ever feared when he burst through that door, and what we saw was a terrified old man.
2) GoF. Dumbledore would never have manhandled a student the way it was portrayed when Harry’s name came out of the Goblet. Would not have happened. And it isn’t Canon. Dumbledore does not freak out in the books. Not so that anyone could tell, anyway.
3) OotP. The snapped-off (probably ad-libbed) line “don’t you have something better to do?” when he’s dealing with Trelawney having been sacked. Not from the books, not something Dumbledore would have said.
Three good things:
1) OotP. Dumbledore is YODA! ZOMG, GO Dumbledore! He kicked Voldemort’s BUTT! This is the wizard Voldemort fears.
2) OotP. Brian. ‘Nuff said. ROFL! And true to Canon.
3) ...without the movies handy, I am not able to come up with a third off the top of my head, which is also saying something.
Gambon relies too heavily on his director; he needs to research his role. He was better in OotP than he was in GoF, by far. But my opinion on GoF is that the director should have stuck to “chick flicks” anyway – he didn’t do a very good job in general, and I’m glad he’s out of the picture now.
I think MGs great. He’s the funniest man I’ve ever seen interviewed. Funnily enough he reminds me of what I would expect DD to be like if he were a muggle. Very funny and eccentric. I especially thought that when I saw him in the car on Top Gear, which was a hilarious interview btw and I urge everyone to watch it if you want a real laugh!
And I’ve never had a problem with his portrayal of DD.
I agree with Chrissy in both comments. Actually, Gambon does appreciate playing DD. I heard that when he found out DD dies in book 6 he went and (jokingly) begged JK to bring him back from the dead because he likes playing him so much. He kind of got his wish.
699 Points
I think it’s interesting he doesn’t watch his own films. But how can you improve as an actor if you don’t watch yourself? I guees he figures he doesn’t have to as he’s "made it" but still. I really enjoyed him in Half-blood prince, he was a bit weird in Prisoner of Azkaban.
Three scenes I didn’t like Gambon in:
1) GoF. Gambon did not come across as “SCARY” when he confronted Crouch, Jr. He came across as terrified. Dumbledore does not get scared. He just doesn’t. We should have seen the only Wizard Voldemort ever feared when he burst through that door, and what we saw was a terrified old man.
2) GoF. Dumbledore would never have manhandled a student the way it was portrayed when Harry’s name came out of the Goblet. Would not have happened. And it isn’t Canon. Dumbledore does not freak out in the books. Not so that anyone could tell, anyway.
3) OotP. The snapped-off (probably ad-libbed) line “don’t you have something better to do?” when he’s dealing with Trelawney having been sacked. Not from the books, not something Dumbledore would have said.
Three good things:
1) OotP. Dumbledore is YODA! ZOMG, GO Dumbledore! He kicked Voldemort’s BUTT! This is the wizard Voldemort fears.
2) OotP. Brian. ‘Nuff said. ROFL! And true to Canon.
3) ...without the movies handy, I am not able to come up with a third off the top of my head, which is also saying something.
Gambon relies too heavily on his director; he needs to research his role. He was better in OotP than he was in GoF, by far. But my opinion on GoF is that the director should have stuck to “chick flicks” anyway – he didn’t do a very good job in general, and I’m glad he’s out of the picture now.