MovieChat Forums > A Man for All Seasons (1966) Discussion > Why did Redgrave...

Why did Redgrave...

posted 12 years ago by QueenJackieB
6 replies | jump to latest

not want to be paid or even get a billing for her role as Anne?

[–] emeraldgreen 11 years ago

It was a very low budget film and the role of Anne was really nothing more than a cameo. I suspect she did it because she liked the subject matter and respected the people doing the film. I think she made an excellent Anne for the limited amount of time she was on the screen. It would have been interesting to see her playing Anne in a different movie...

[–] Ithilfaen 11 years ago

I think she made an excellent Anne for the limited amount of time she was on the screen.

She had one scene where she laughed and sang a little... not sure it's exactly Oscar material. Don't get me wrong, she could play anything but she hardly had anything to do, let alone enough to be excellent in.

For every lie I unlearn I learn something new - Ani Difranco

[–] Hancock_the_Superb 10 years ago

Two notes which may be relevant:

- Redgrave was originally offered the role of Margaret but had to decline due to a theater commitment (The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, I think). So her cameo may have been a mea culpa.

- Redgrave was close friends with Bolt. Besides holding similar political views, Bolt gave Redgrave her big break. She starred in Bolt's play The Tiger and the Horse opposite her father, her first major stage role.

So she may have viewed it as a favor or generosity to a friend, and being associated with such a prestige film (however fleetingly) couldn't have hurt her anyway.

"I'm afraid that you underestimate the number of subjects in which I take an interest!"

[–] cwente2 10 years ago

Interesting background, Hancock. Thanks much!

[–] Professional_Tourist 10 years ago

Vanessa Redgrave's brother Corin was in the film, which may have added to her motivations to participate, even though in a small way. If Vanessa had gone on to play Margaret, she and her brother would have played sweethearts.

[–] SamoanJoes 9 years ago

She's an underrated actress and I demand she retrospectively gets paid for her performance.