MovieChat Forums > Brideshead Revisited (1982) Discussion > Gielgud vs Olivier

Gielgud vs Olivier

posted 11 years ago by murdoch1111
5 replies | jump to latest

@Everyone who reads the posts about "Brideshead Revisited":

The section "Trivia" about "Brideshead" on the IMDB prints the following remark:

"Laurence Olivier was offered his choice of roles in either Lord Marchmain or Edward Ryder (which ultimately went to John Gielgud). Olivier picked Lord Marchmain, but later regretted the choice as he realized that Edward Ryder was actually a much stronger role."

I cannot IMAGINE that Olivier, despite his great abilities as an actor, could possibly have played the part of Edward Ryder as brilliantly as Gielgud.

[–] Noir-It-All 11 years ago

Guilgud could play "eccentric" very well.

[–] crlnrgbrght5 11 years ago

Neither could I. Edward Ryder was a bit eccentric, and Gielgud plays eccentric better than Olivier. Besides, Olivier was brilliant as Lord Marchmain on his death bed, taking his last rites.

[–] dizexpat 11 years ago

Olivier made the right choice. I can't picture him as Edward Ryder. I can't picture Gielgud as Lord Marchmain.

The character of Charles' father seems to be a throwback to Waugh's pre-Brideshead novels which were filled with English eccentrics. He is the one character who is played exclusively for laughs. (Although Anthony Blanche is primarily comical he does have a few serious moments. Rex Mottram is used for satirical purposes. And the two oafs, Mr. Samgrass and Boy Mulchaster, are basically figures of ridicule.)

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[–] AllieMDA 9 years ago

dizexpat says:

The character of Charles' father seems to be a throwback to Waugh's pre-Brideshead novels which were filled with English eccentrics. He is the one character who is played exclusively for laughs.

This one, I disagree. Yes he's a caricature, played quite well by Gielgud. But he's also there to provide background of Charles's extremely odd and murky pre-Oxford life, and is an absolutely vital character for one more reason - even he, who apparently had no friends and disliked almost everyone, falls prey to the charm of Sebastian. He says to Charles:

"I think your friend very amusing," he said. "Ask him *often*."
[Emphasis his]

And for once, this statement of Edward Ryder's is not laced with irony or cynicism. He truly enjoys Sebastian's presence. This is SO remarkable, so seemingly out of character, it slams the viewer with evidence of the intense, potentially insidious, depth of Sebastian's charm.

[–] AllieMDA 9 years ago

murdoch1111 says

I cannot IMAGINE that Olivier, despite his great abilities as an actor, could possibly have played the part of Edward Ryder as brilliantly as Gielgud.

I absolutely agree with you here. A piece of luck for the production.