Actor Ralph Fiennes has made some new remarks on the character he portrays in the Harry Potter films: Lord Voldemort. Speaking with Variety, Ralph Fiennes says that as an actor he developed some background of the Dark Lord before taking on the part several years ago (and several HP books) for the Goblet of Fire movie. The article notes the actor “worked hard to develop a convincing backstory for Lord Voldemort that would ring psychologically true, despite the fact that Fiennes is virtually unrecognizable in the role under layers of ghoulish makeup.” Quotage:
“I hesitated for a bit before committing to the role because it sort of requires you to personify evil, and I don’t know how you do that,” Fiennes says. “I latched onto what was maybe crude psychology in working out Voldemort’s obsession with Harry. Harry was loved by his parents, which Voldemort can’t stand. He is, of course, a rejected person. It’s quite basic: the rejected child who’s emotionally been denied affection turns violent. You have to suggest there’s more there, a life, a spirit, a mind. It isn’t just a creepy voice and makeup. I always think you can find more in something. It’s good to just keep asking questions until someone says cut.”
I saw him interviewed when he received the UCD L&H James Joyce Award (yep, the same one JKR got). He puts a lot of work into his roles. When he was describing the research he did for Red dragon, he said (half humorously) that some of the stuff he read gave him nightmares. I was thrilled, but not at all supprised when he was offered the LV role but a bit surprised he accepted it. Anyone who has seen his performances in Shindlers list and Wuthering Hights (his first major film and the first thing i saw him in. genuinely creepy and obsessive) could see that he is perfect for the role. The only cast member that is in danger of out doing him on the HP set is jason isaacs. rickman unfortunatly doesnt get anything like enough screen time. hopefully this will change for the last three films
Ralph is great as voldy, though the graveyard scene in GoF struck me as a bit over the top at first, its settled into an unforgetable performance for me.
his little time in OOTP was great, the duel…...need i say more?
im anxious to see him in the DH, especially flying, that is gonna be tricky to not make it look hokey and to convey menace during it. and of course the showdown, when i read DH i imagined him doing the shrieking shack scene with rickman, im very anxious to see how they do that one, THEY CANNOT SKIP SNAPES DEATH, you hear me you money grubbing WB foo’s??
A very insightful actor! Mr Finnes knows exactly what it takes, to give a convincing portrayal, of this type of character! It’s certainly not easy, by any means! I must confess, that I have only seen part of ‘Shindler’s List’ and have not seen ‘Whuthering Hights’. But from this interview, I can tell that he must have been extraordinary! He has made ’ Voldemort’ his own, and at the same time shown US the “true” ‘Voldemort’. I imagine that JK is quite pleased with his portrayal. What a marvelous actor! [My kind of “menace”]
Posted by Confederate Lady on October 09, 2008, 02:09 PM
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You gotta love it when there’s proof of REAL actors out there :-)
Yeah, Schindler’s List was a great film but damn, it was a harrowing experience to watch. Of course that was the intention. The performances of Liam, Kingsley and Fiennes gave the movie immense gravitas. And I have to say imho, Fiennes Nazi role was one of the most frightening villain in film history. He won a deserved Oscar for it. I see his role as Voldermont in DH to be a promotion as a Hitler type Nazi oppressive! I mean DH mirrored so much of the Nazi movement and oppression (though necessarily diluted of course!). How lucky we are to have the very best of elite British actors playing these roles.
Posted by Professor Potter on October 09, 2008, 03:12 PM
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Ok, here’s the thing that kinda bugs me. And this goes for Michael Gambon who portrys Dumbeldor since Movie 3 and on. Both of these characters have admited to not reading the series. If Mr. Fiennes had read the books, he would know Voldemort wasn’t going after Harry because he was loved by his parents. He was going after him because a proficy stated in the end, Harry would do him in (in not so many words). If he had read the series, he would know that. His obsession from then on out is part because of that and because of his pride issues of being outdone by Harry and wanting to show he’s more powerful. If he really wanted to get into the phycology of Voldemort, he should’ve read the series to see how he started. How he was mean spirited from the start. Maybe in part to him being rejected, but that is no excuse. Harry grew up in a worst envirement then an orphanage. Anyway, as I was saying before, I HATE, HATE, HATE how Michael Gambon pertrays Dumboldore. He’s SO FAR OFF. Dumboldore is not some angry, shouting person. He’s very reserved and respectful. He doesn’t go around barking at people all the time. If he ever picked up a Harry Potter book he would know that. Richard Harris (Dumboldore Movie 1 & 2) hit it RIGHT ON THE MONEY. He said he used to read the books to his grandchildren. If these actors want to get it right, the research should be in the books. That’s where they are going to find what they need for thier characters. Side note, regardless of my abover rantings…I think Mr. Fiennes does a WONDERFUL job pertraying Voldemort. =)
@Iyamjody: We can’t really put your ranting aside…it’s quite long
As for the portrayal of characters, if the director was not OK with the way the actor portrayed the character they would correct the acting, even if the actor is a respected actor who’s “made” himself into the character. Gambon’s Dumbledore shows more of the strong character that the Headmaster had, I don’t love it sometimes, but what can we do. As for Fiennes’ Voldemort I absolutely love it, love it, love it. I think he is definitely Voldy. And, listen, with all the inbreeding in the Slytherin line, do you really need to know why the kid was messed up?! Coupled with the fact that he was abandoned (most children would have a problem with that) and then discovering he had special powers that made him not just another rejected mistake….
LOL good point about the Slytherin line. I appreciate you letting me get all this off my chest. Can you tell it’s been festering for some time. ;-) Maybe you are right. Maybe it’s the directors fault for not portraying Dumbledore correctly. I mean SOMEONE has had to point out to Gambon that Dumbledore isn’t a miserable, grouchy old man. Either way, I think it’s a disservice to such a great character. =P
You would think that the actors and directors would hear some of these comments somewhere…so many people would like a less grouchy protrayal of Dumbledore, not necessarily a softy approach, just a little kinder.
I do agree with the horrible protrayal of Dumbledore….I loved the original though..he was perfect!!!! as far as Fiennes goes my hubby always says he’s impressed that they can make his nose look so small when it’s kinda on the large side! I think he does a great job protraying Voldemort!
I love him, and I love that he wants to understand why Voldy is the way he is, after all if he was just a bad guy for the sake of it he wouldn’t be such a brilliant villain!
As a surprise for Harry, they had painted a large banner on one of the sheets Scabbers had ruined. It said Potter for President, and Dean, who was good at drawing, had done a large Gryffindor lion underneath. Then Hermione had performed a tricky little ch
fiennes is brill as voldy keep in up