1980'sDuring another decade of demanding theatre work, I managed to make
five films, all shot in United Kingdom. The parts were varied. Working
with John Hurt, Michael Mann, Fred Schepisi and Meryl Streep was
enlightening and encouraged the hope that I might spend more time
discovering more about acting for the screen. -- Ian McKellen, August
2000
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| 1988 | SCANDAL Director: Michael Caton-Jones Writer: Michael Thomas Role: John Profumo, M.P. Co-starring: Bridget Fonda, John Hurt, Leslie Phillips, Joanne Whalley-Kilmer "I agreed to play the British politician, John Profumo, after other actors had refused to. One of my motives, having just come out as a gay man, was to prove that I could be convincing as a character about whom little is remembered other than he was a raging heterosexual!" 
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| 1986 | PLENTY Director: Fred Schepisi Writer: David Hare Role: Sir Andrew Charleson Co-starring: Charles Dance, John Gielgud, Sam Neill, Meryl Streep, Tracey Ullman |
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| 1985 | ZINA Director: Kenneth McMullen Writer: Kenneth McMullen Role: Professor Kronfell Co-starring: Domiziana Giordano Shot on location in London |
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| 1983 | THE KEEP Director: Michael Mann Writer: Michael Mann Role: Dr. Theodore Cuza Co-starring: Gabriel Byrne, Scott Glenn, and Alberta Watson Shot on location in North Wales "My character had a strange disease which made him look 30 years older than he was. This was convincingly achieved over 5 hours in the make-up chair. For 12 days in succession, I was aged early each morning and never called to the set. I began a nervous breakdown or at least the producer thought so, because I was flown home from the location in North Wales for a week-end's recuperation." |
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| 1982 |
LOVING WALTER DIRECTOR: Stephen Frears Screenplay from his novel by David Cook Produced by Central Productions Ltd for Channel Four UK ROLE: Walter Royal Television Society Performer of the Year Co-starring: Sarah Miles Originally produced for television, Walter also screened as two separate films: Walter and June and Loving Walter. The
shocking story of a mentally handicapped man at the mercy of society's attitudes. Adapted
from DAVID COOK's award-winning novel, Walter was transmitted on "Film on Four" on
the new channel's opening night. Scenes at The Old Hospital, Liverpool Road, London shot
in March 1982. |
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| 1982 | THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL Director: Clive Donner Screenplay by Bill Bast Produced by London Films / CBS Role: Chauvelin Co-starring: Jane Seymour and Anthony Andrews. (Originally produced for television, and never released theatrically)
"Not surprisingly perhaps, Mr. McKellen is especially
sharp in the villainous role of Paul Chauvelin, the chief agent for the
Committee of National Security who is determined to eliminate the
aristocratic class from French society. Mr. McKellen, the noted British
Shakespearean actor and winner of a Tony Award for his performance in
"AMADEUS," is marvelously subtle as Chauvelin. This is an
intricately etched portrait of social envy and sexual jealousy. His
commitment to the Revolution is just about equal to his lust for
Marguerite. Even without being dressed in simple black, Mr. McKellen would
have no difficulty standing out among these gaudy aristocrats." --
John J. O'Connor, "The New York Times" 9 Nov 1982. |
Dates above are shooting dates.
Background images: Kronfell, Cuza, Profumo
