I like Brian Blessed and have watched him in many films and TV series from Z cars to Blackadder and have enjoyed seeing him in the latest ASB ads. His big voice and over the top manner is funny.
I remember that he acted in an outstanding film I saw in 1971. It was called The Last Valley and I have never seen it rescreened in theatres or on television.
I remember that Blessed was in this film but had forgotten that Sharif and Caine were as well.
We subscribe to Fatso, the mail order video rental which I recommend highly.
When I saw Blessed on the ASB ads I searched the Fatso archives and ordered The Last Valley which arrived yesterday.
Boy was I surprised when watching it today. Brian Blessed's character is superb. He's menacing and energetic and ..... lasts less than 10 minutes. Michael Caine's character stabs him to death using that pointy thing on the top of his helmet. Bastard.
The film is excellent just as I remember it. Its based on an imaginary episode in the 30 years War (where idiot Germans kill each other for years using religion as an excuse). The Caine character (the cynic) and the Sharif character (the idealistic socialist) see the ridiculousness of the catholics and the protestants murdering each other over supposed doctrinal differences and try to survive by taking a middle ground.
It is well written and directed (James Clavell) with a great cast of recognisable actors. The setting is a beautiful and bountiful hidden valley in South Central Germany (it was filmed in Tyrol Austria) and is quite stunning.
Watch this film if you get a chance. It is good filmaking done sensible with few shortcuts and no stupid over-produced action scenes.
It bewilders me that people flock to see the latest Hollywood shit like Iron Man 27 or yet another cop/robber/car chase flick when there's stuff like this in the vaults.
8 comments:
I watched Twin Peaks on 'Jones' TV last night.
Stylish and very engaging this is proof that it can be done if the producers don't wimp out and dumb it down.
I felt sorry for you having to comment on your own post, so I wrote this.
Thanks but you shouldn't have.
Really, you shouldn't have.
I like BB, but he has sunk to a real low with those ads - they are second only in awfulness to that turtle torturing little shit on the Telecom ones.
I agree with you on the Telecom ads. Whatever were the makers thinking when they used that odious little snot?
The writer/director must be one of those "everyone loves my kids" person.
AS soon as I started seeing those new ASB add I recognised his voice. HE played King Richard in Blackadder Series One eh?
He hasn't changed much in almost
30 years. Amazing.
Does this blog ever update?
The w.v. is "Teaches infestation"
Makes you think.
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