Slashdot Mirror
Sir Alec Guinness Dies
Gord writes: "The BBC is reporting (at least on the radio, can't see it on the Web site yet), that Sir Alec Guinness passed away Saturday night (9:50pm GMT) after been taken to hospital last Thursday.
He will be most remembered by me as Obi-Wan in the original Star Wars movies, but he also acted in many other movies and he will be sorely missed." Update: 08/07 11:26 AM by E : Here's the story from BBC online.
By all means, www.noamazon.com...and it's a good memoir, no matter where you get it. He tells the story of meeting a child who claimed to have seen Star Wars 100 times or something...I quote inaccurately, from memory, but it's in the memoir (entitled My Name Escapes Me, in case you want to find a copy):
Guinness: "Can you make me a promise?"
child: "YES!" (glad to help out Obi Wan)
Guinness: "Can you promise me that you will never again watch that film?"
The parent of the child apparently didn't appreciate this.
I'll remember him for playing Fagin in "Oliver Twist", an old black and white movie. I don't know what it was but it just remember him as having given a great performance. It was years later that I saw him again in "Star Wars".
Thanks for putting your all into entertaining us.
Tim
Before the trolls go completely ape-shit I hope there's some recognition that the man deserves better than to be mocked at death and tied to a role he wanted to forget.
....
....
--Hey Doctor Jones! No time for love!
I can understand "celebrating and memorializing his life", if you're a big fan of his work, but most of what I see here is a collection of "curlish comments".
/. when there's nothing technical to discuss. Nobody is going to write a worthy memorial here, and nobody's going to put up any information you can't find with google in 3 minutes. Just gossip, bad jokes, and arguments over whether this should have been posted in the first place.
/. to be worth mentioning. 98% of slashdotters said "Who? Oh, Obi Wan." You think he would have wanted to be remembered that way?
/. , it's all over the news. That's why this is "News for Nerds", it's supposed to be stuff you won't hear every 20 minutes on CNN.
/. story?
Most of the on-topic posts here can be summed up as one of:
1) This is sad.
2) Obi Wan was struck down, and has become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.
3) He hated Star Wars, stop calling him Obi Wan!
4) He also acted in Bridge on the River Kwai.
5) This isn't News for Nerds, Stuff That Matters.
Just the kind of crap you'd expect from
He just has too little relevance to the general population of
Besides, it's not as if we wouldn't have heard of this except on
In summary: lousy discussion topic, news we heard anyway. What makes a worse
---
Despite rumors to the contrary, I am not a turnip.
Those who have seen Bridge on the River Kwai will know that the last two words are perhaps among the greatest film endings ever. (Those who haven't seen will just have to ponder why.)
Somewhere (that I cant remember) in my past I read a plaque fixed to something (that I cant remember) that said (paraphrased)..
"Tho I Pass this way only once,
Let my deeds be such that I am remembered for all time."
Sir Alec Guinness (whether he liked it or not) introduced me to a philosophy that the world can learn a lot from. He succeeded in leaving behind a legacy which gives him the closest thing we can currently call immortality.
Vale Sir Alec. Good show old man..
Now you have discovered the truth and have passed on to a greater stage, keep up the good work.
Nah, they'd put Patrick under "X" for his inspiring role in "X-Men".
--
Does narcissism count as a hobby? --Shawn Latimer
What should it be under that would still make it relevant to Slashdot? Great actors die all the time, sadly, and they rarely make /. simply because they don't normally have much to do with news for nerds. I agree that Guiness did many incredible things and that his life should not only be put under the Star Wars category, but on /. I think it's perfectly appropriate.
Wrong in so many ways. There's more to acting than that. Much more. Arguing that sales ability is better than performance ability is like arguing that Bill is better than Linus. (At best an amusing diversion, at worst not so amusing) To say that Sir Alec hasn't done anything more entertaining than Star Wars is simply daft (Kind Hearts & Coronets), and to argue that he hasn't done anything more moving is equally vaccous (Bridge over the river Kwai). If you only watch movies for cheap, easy thrills, then you're missing so very much of life.
I suspect that most of the posts here will be remembering Sir Guiness for his role in Star Wars. To me, however, I will always remember him as the Colonel who almost neurotically refused to yield to the Japanese in Bridge on the River Kwai. As an aside, I saw that movie last year and I can't believe its over forty years old.
Last night I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas I'll never know.
For those who haven't seen Kind Hearts and Coronets (http://us.imdb.com/Title?0041546), I highly recommend you rent it as part of your Alec Guiness tribute film festival.
Besides being an absolutely hilarious black comedy that plays off serial murder with English manners, Sir Alec turns in an amazing performance in which he plays eight different characters.
Rent it, you'll laugh.
The BBC Linkage has a quick blurb that he "hated" being Obi-Wan. This is a real surprise to me, seeing as how it did it so brilliantly. Does anyone know the reason /WHY/ he disliked the role? I even believe the line "threw away all his fan mail unopened" is used. What on earth could make him so bitter? Watching E4 will never be the same again.
Hilary Rosen's speech was about her love of money and her desire to roll around naked in a pile of money.
Lawrence of Arabia was O'Toole's movie. The rest of the cast was very good, but O'Toole stole the show.
The mini-series Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is also definitely worth watching if you like spy and intrigue stories. Maybe my local PBS will rebroadcast this.
Tim
When questioned of his whereabouts the night of August 5, Mr. Binks replied, "Meeza so smart enslik at Meeza doan tink no uns guna figars owt ut reely happin an Meeza runs scot frees egin! Tuh hek wif da bludy gluv Meeza gots, cuz yawlza cant pruv dat blud aints Meeza's!" Because no one can understand what the hell the alien moron is jabbering about, the authorities had no choice but to let him go.
...and Jar Jar kills yet another bit of my fond childhood memories
I think that the passing of the actor who portrayed Obi-Wan something that I'd want to know about; that's why I read /. in the first place :-)
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If you haven't seen them, do yourself a favor and check those two movies out. Of course, Sir Alec was also a prominent stage actor as well, but you can't go back and look at those performances unless someone filmed or videotaped them. The movies will likely be his most lasting legacy.
Free Hans!
/usr/games/fortune today:
"What is a magician but a practising theorist?"
-- Obi-Wan Kenobi
Spooky. I don't remember that line though.
Yep (already posted it somewhere above...I've always loved that story)...A.G. used to tell the story himself (cantankerous pride) & he put it in his memoir, released in '97 or so here (and about a year earlier in England) which was called My Name Escapes Me
I promise not to mention the "Genuine Class" anagram.
Not all Americans like StarWars, at least one doesn't :/
I believe that /. is, uh...
"News for Nerds. Stuff that matters."
It matters that Alec Guniess is dead. Sir Guniess was among the most prolific and talented (quantity AND quality) actors of the twentieth century. Not to mention that he was Obi Wan, something that /.ers seem to find very important.
Apparently the man got fed up with this. I cant think of it like he is neing ungrateful or something... I really cant explaing what the heck he was thinking when he said "I cant have any more SW" ... well, we sure will miss him....
I'm glad you mentioned those films. Tinker, Tailor in particular I rember as being just such a great movie. I have very fond memories sitting down with my parents and watching these films, discussing them trying to work out plots, names, who was the spy, etc. Needless to say, I never worked it out.
Fond days indeed.
Alas gallinaceas de urbe bovis volo
Did he also say why he did them, all 3, even though he disliked it so much?
As an aside, Bridge on the River Kwai is one of my favourite movies. I strongly suggest anyone who hasn't seen it to rent it At the earliest opportunity. Although Sir Alec won the Best Actor Academy Award ('57), which was likely a big contribution to the movie's success, Bridge also won another six Oscars that year and had a nomination for an eighth award (Sessue Hayakawa - Best Supporting Actor).
In all, Bridge won: Best Actor, Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Colour Cinematography, Director, Editing, and Original Score, and was nominated for Best Supporting Actor, as well as numerous non-U.S. awards.
and is now more powerful than you can possibly imagine.
well you smuck. kenobi or not , he was a human being and his loss would have brought pain to his own folks . so like the next post very very correctly says " SHUT UP"
I'm majorly bummed over this. But, you can find news on it:
Chas - The one, the only.
THANK GOD!!!
Chas - The one, the only.
THANK GOD!!!
Its a shame that he is known for only his act on SW since he had played in other movies including those posted by goldberg pants post.... He was indeed a very talented actor. We will sure miss you sir Alec, and may the force guide you wherever you are !
--- Never hold a dustbuster and a cat at the same time ---
Setting his threshold to 5, Sparky eliminated most of the trolls on /.
I don't really care one way or the other about scores. Certainly, not about the difference between Score:1 and Score:2. And since I need to deliberately reduce the score, I don't usually bother. (Just for you, I'll do it this time :)
Opinion: If they're going to implement the bonus at all then it ought to be elective. I should have to think enough of my own post to motivated to select the bonus. Not the other way around.
--
"I have a good idea why it's hard to verify programs. They're usually wrong." --Manuel Blum, FOCS 94
--- Never hold a dustbuster and a cat at the same time ---
Setting his threshold to 5, Sparky eliminated most of the trolls on /.
People whine way too much about what is or is not appropriate for Slashdot. For heaven's sake, don't read it if you disagree with it.
I really just wanted to see if all your petty, offtopic, know-it-all posts deserved a default Score:2, or if you just slipped :)
- My password is slashdot
So in the midst of all the bad (tasteless?) "force be with you" and "stronger than you can ever imagine" jokes, remember that Sir Alec Guiness was not just Obi-Wan Kenobi.
The actor who played Obi-Wan Kenobi, reguardless of whether or not he liked his role, embodies a character that (IMHO) was the most noble, selfless character in the starwars series. We are sad at his passing, not only because of his 'higher works', but because of the character that he played in Star Wars. For most of us, the two are intertwined. If we are not to tie him with Obi-Wan Kenobi, then he is just another faceless actor to us.
Like it or not, he will be remembered (fondly) as Ben Kenobi.
--
I'm sorry. The number you have reached is imaginary. Please rotate your phone 90 degrees and try again.
This is a link.
--
"I have a good idea why it's hard to verify programs. They're usually wrong." --Manuel Blum, FOCS 94
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/new sid_869000/869059.stm
I thought I sensed a great disturbance in the force.
#software solutions for a post-butler-jihadian age#
THAT is a movie!
Want to learn about race cars? Read my Book
-fff-
There have been a lot of posts saying that Alec didn't like Star Wars, his talents were wasted in Star Wars, he doesn't want to be remembered as Obi-Wan, etc. Why then did he do Star Wars? I don't know anything about his career, was he not as good back then? Did he do it just to make some money? I'm curious.
That we probably pretty soon will be able to read Alec Guiness jokes at Dead Celebrities Jokes Graveyard.
[Disclaimer] Not for the easily offended. [/Disclaimer]
--
"I'm surfin the dead zone
--
"I'm surfin the dead zone
In the twilight, unknown"
Does anyone that low still post? I've only ever seen a couple in the 3 digit range
And I'm damned proud of mine!
Hmm, perhaps I could sell it on ebay...
Ooh, a sarcasm detector. Oh, that's a real useful invention.
Yeah, and not only knighted, but a jedi knight as well. Lucky bastard.... I bet he'll get away with it too even if there are meddling kids involved. Clever...
-----
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad." - Salvador Dali (1904-1989)
He thought enough of the property to negotiate a percentage;
the fact that he got it is probably the main reason he took the
role. It is also a tacit admission on the part of the production
as to how much they needed an actor of his stature to put across
that dialogue.
As for "dissing" it later, he assuredly never volunteered
anything about it. Imagine an interview with 15 consecutive
"Star Wars" questions, when you could be talking about
acting in John Gielgud's "Hamlet". Aargh.
And im sure Mark Hamill gives thanks every day. Star Wars made him what he is today: Luke Skywalker :p
-----
"Almost isn't good enough - but it's almost good enough."
-Me
-- Could you use my software consulting serv
Sounds like the invention of open source...
- Management figures out if they open source their project it will suck ass like netscape and will not make them money.
- programmers figure out that no one will pay for them to code if someone will do it for free
This has the potential to destroy civilization as we know it.
.. is available here.
Does he have anything to do with Guiness beer??
Yes. Alec, myself and Guiness breweries are inexplicably linked in that I have enjoyed said beer and have seen Alec Guiness in a few movies. I would even venture to say that I have sampled the beer while watching a movie that Alec Guiness acted in. Further more, I would think it very probable that Alec has also sampled Guiness (the beer) given that it is known to be a quality stout. Surely, Alec has pondered the mundane coincidence that his name is the same as the beer. Let me also tell you that, despite the name (again, the same as the beer), Alec did not author the amusing almanac 'The Guiness Book of World Records'. Nevertheless, I am firm in my belief that Mr. Guiness has fanned the pages of that book as I have.
I hope that answers your question.
Alec, may the force be with you always. You've helped to make all of our lives that much better.
Did you say "sir" deliberately?
Kind of the same issue with Patrick Stewart. I never much payed attention when the show was on, but really, all the best stuff was the Picard-centric stuff, and it wasn't mainly better stories being written for the character, it was Stewart really outshining the other actors.
Intolerant people should be shot.
He was also brilliant as blind butler Jamesir Bensonmum in the comedic murder-mystery Murder By Death. It's not really a high quality movie, but dang, it's good for laughs. Excellent cast all around.
He thought enough of the property to negotiate a percentage
Now, I'm not sure how you meant this, but I think he thought enough of the saleablility of the property, not neccessarily the quality. (since the two are not related, and usually diametrically opposed)
Intolerant people should be shot.
Personally, I think that it's a great loss for the world when someone with the acting skills of Sir Alec dies...
Maybe they should take a couple of his cells and clone him... At least we could get a couple more SW movies out of him *8^)
"Minds are like parachutes: most people use them only as a last resort."
- Ben Ostrowsky
"Minds are like parachutes: most people use them only as a last resort."
God speed sir, God speed.
I have to put this part here to get past these lame lameness filters
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
Some have already mentioned some additional fine films of his. Here's a list of the most famous:
.... Colonel Nicholson
.... Jim Wormold
.... Prince Feisal
.... Marcus Aurelius
.... Gen. Yevgraf Zhivago
.... Jamesir Bensonmum
.... George Smiley
.... Professor Godbole
Bridge on the River Kwai, The (1957)
Our Man in Havana (1960)
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Fall of the Roman Empire, The (1964)
Doctor Zhivago (1965)
Murder by Death (1976)
"Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" (1980) (mini) TV Series
Passage to India, A (1984)
(thanks to http://www.imdb.com )
Bridge on the River Kwai and Scrooge.
I know Alec would not like to here this, but most people would not give a rats ass nor know who he is unless he played Obi Wan.
He played a number of very good roles and he played them very well. However, no one would have know who this guy is unless he was Obi Wan. Again, I know Alec would not like to here this, but he made alot of money as Obi Wan that let him play the art'sy roles. He sold out for one (or 3) role(s), then took the art'sy roles, and lived well.
Art'sy crap only gets so much food on the table.
Anyways, my other non-Obi Wan files I like are:
The Bridge on the River Kwai (really good!)
Hitler: The Last Ten Days
Raise the Titanic (This must be a sell out role)
A Passage to India
Linux O Muerte!
Charles!
Yes, mumsy?
Release the attack corgis!
Rubbish. He was an actor, not a critic. I assume he gave the role of Obi Wan his best effort. And he did a damn fine job.
I was a very young kid when Star Wars came out. There was a lot to love about the movie. Special effects, Darth Vader, Han Solo. That's to be expected. But even at that age I knew that Obi Wan made that movie work.
I also liked Alec in Bride Over the River Kwai. Fine movie. But I'm not going to remember him as Colonel whatshisname.
RIP Alec.
I heard he faked his death just so he could murder Mark Hamill without being found. He's a clever old fuck, isn't he?
Help me through college please!
In the CNN article it says... His 1977 role as Obi-Wan Kenobi introduced him to a new generation of filmgoers and made him financially secure. "I might never have been heard of again if it hadn't been for 'Star Wars'," he said. It sounds like he had at least some positive feelings for the genre.
A place for everything, everything in its place. - Ben Franklin
I've always looked up to Alec Guiness, first as a kid obsessed with Star Wars and later as one appreciative of his great acting ability. For anyone who would like to become more acquainted with the man he was, not only did he write a volume of official memoirs, but also two volumes of daily diaries filled with charming anecdotes about his life, his past, film, and the theatre. They are My Name Escapes me, and, published just last year, A Positively Final Appearance. I've read the first, but haven't yet gotten to the second.
In a sidenote, with Sir Alec we've lost the last of a generation of great thespians; first Olivier in '89, and Gielgud and Guiness this year. Where, I wonder, are the great actors to replace them?
-Wombat
http://yourpants.net
Content. What content?
After watching a BBC article on the guy, in which it was said he despised the Star Wars movies and their merchandising, I decide that, although he ended up a testy old prick, he was still the best Obi-Wan the world has ever seen. Oh, and his face seemed to change drastically over the years.
It's regretful that Alec Guiness resented his involvement in Star Wars. His character was the greatest of an epic that influenced the childhoods of a generation.
I guess making a post to slashdot is the closest thing an individual can do in tribute to the actor behind one of the great personalities of science fiction.
Guiness, we're saddened by your passing and wish you farewell!
Believe with me, my saplings.
Another classic Ealing studio comedy, where Alec Guinness, played 6 parts.
I couldn't see it in the local arthouse theatre, but my local Rogers has it in 9 days, so I expect most people in the NAmerica will be able to get ahold of it on vid about the same time...
Intolerant people should be shot.
If it has demand, please by all means don't keep it to yourself!
till I get my PS2, then I'll crack the hell out of it. I'll be a monkey's bitch before I buy an uncrackable DVD device.
Dirt doesn't need luck.
And it is a damn shame that Star Wars is what everyone will remember him by.
Sir Alec's performance in Lawrence of Arabia was inspiring. Star Wars cannot compare to that film.
Alec really captured the essense of the british colonel in The Bridge on the River Kwai.
Actors of Alec's quality are a rare commodity, and the world will miss him.
Conformity is the jailer of freedom and enemy of growth. -JFK
No, no, no... Hamill's not Skywalker, he's Skywalker ripoffs in various Wing-Commander type stuff...
Intolerant people should be shot.
I heard that a star struck boy told Mr. Guinness that he had seen Star Wars (some number with three digits) times. His mom nodded confirmation when Mr. Guinness looked at her with disbelief. He then said to the boy, "Can you promise me something?"
The boy said, "anything for you."
"Promise me that you will never see the movie again." At which the boy started crying and the mom said something about Mr. Guinness' lack of tack.
I couldn't find a confirmation of this story on the net. Anyone else know if this story is true?
Gullie
Bah. Local vid store's hire only cretins who thought Godzilla was a great movie (as in Broderick vs. the asexual cgi). I just know I'll get the same blank look I got when Kubrick died if I go looking for his movies at the Rogers. (I couldn't believe this guy. I asked him if they had any kind of promo or display planned, and he just sort of got this dazed look "Kubrick? some actor?" I found it difficult to comprehend such a lack of knowledge in someone who works in a bloody movie store...)
Intolerant people should be shot.
He says that it was his idea, and not Lucas' to kill him off in the first one so he would have minor roles in the others. I'm not sure how much truth there is to that (I don't know what Lucas' relpy to it is), but I think the fact he would even say that is pretty revealing.
ok, now how about, oh, let's say, Jeremy Irons???
There are so many of them. Perhaps you're just too young (or not enough of a film buff) to remember such films as -- to name a few -- Doctor Zhivago, Lawrence of Arabia, The Bridge on the River Kwai, and Guinness' own personal favorite, Tunes of Glory.
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begin 644
You have to remember that a good many people who were at the orignal release of Star Wars (back in '77) were kids who didn't even have the slightest idea who Alec Guinness was.
Yes. It's sad in a way to be so pigeon-holed. But how many people outside of the Trek continuum have roles that are so fondly remembered, and so deeply imbedded into modern culture as Sir Alec's role of Obi Wan?
Through his work, he's become, effectively immortal. So yes, he's become more powerful than even Obi Wan could possibly imagine. =)
Chas - The one, the only.
THANK GOD!!!
Chas - The one, the only.
THANK GOD!!!
Does anyone that low still post? I've only ever seen a couple in the 3 digit range, and never seen any in the double digits. Besides that, it's just a slight modification of an old 60's anti-suit comment.
Intolerant people should be shot.
Sir Alec's anti-Star Wars stance mirrors a similar situation with another knighted one: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle... From what I remember, Doyle did a lot of different stories, from different genres, but all people wanted was more of his Sherlock Holmes stories. He gets fed up with him being the only thing he's known for, and goes and kills the guy off in 'The Final Problem',only to bring him back due to popular demand. (Feel free to correct me on any of this, I'm guilty of only reading his Holmes stories, myself...:))
e aside, deaths at such a late age don't really bother me. To me, I see it as the cycle completing itself. He wasn't cut down in the prime of his life by a car accident, or brain tumor, for instance.
But this sort of public display of arrogance and disdain-for-that-which-brings-you-fame-and-fortun
-- www.bteg.com | bleh.n3.net | hac47.dhs.org
Like many other things Americans have standardized due to their amazing grasp of marketing and FUD (Windows 95/NT/Etc MS products are American), The Internet is a product that is of low quality and high consumability. Like the Ford line of cars for example. They are of crap quality, but they are mass produced and marketed so well, that they actually do sell. I doubt many people will argue that Ford is better than Audi or Volvo. Retarded indeed. Usually I'm in praise of the American way, and indeed there are some things that the Americans have done well, and do well, and for those they must be commended. The Internet, however, is not one of them.
"A few atoms won't even light a match" - Dr Jones, 1933
I loved that guy. I personally cant stand Star Wars because it, even today, has a cult like following for a movie that was GREAT in its day, but by todays standards isnt what everyone makes it out to be. Never been a fan of lucas' films. I'll give it to him that he knows how to buy Special Effects. But thats about it. I hear the guys a real jerk from two people I know who worked for him. And ANYTHING you make, as an employee of Lucas becomes 100% personal property of Lucas. That may be standard practice but I'm not really cool with that personally.
I liked Sir Alec because he HATED the part of Obi Wan and didnt like playing in the Star Wars films. At least its nice to know there are people who take my side on the matter of Star Wars. Not too many people will admit to not liking that series these days. Half the time I say so I get flamed up the arse (Please, this isnt an invitation, im just stating personal feelings).
Sir Alec, I SALUTE YOU!
Shiva
In My Awesome Magnificence,
I Am, With Moderate Tolerance For You,
Shiva - Reigning Master Of Sinanju
In My Awesome Magnificence,
I Am, With Moderate Tolerance For You,
Shiva - Reigning Master Of Sinanju
Why, but of course! Everyone always forgets the second 'n' in both Guin n esses.
--Joe--
Program Intellivision!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/new sid_869000/869059.stm was The BBC page with the info on his death if someone above didnt list it. I just glanced real quick (its 3:41 am!) and didnt see it so thar she blows.
In My Awesome Magnificence,
I Am, With Moderate Tolerance For You,
Shiva - Reigning Master Of Sinanju
In My Awesome Magnificence,
I Am, With Moderate Tolerance For You,
Shiva - Reigning Master Of Sinanju
This doesn't get mentioned a lot in the obits, but Sir Alec put in a really, really great performance in Cromwell. Kind of a goofy movie, but Guinness just owned it. The man was an extraordinary actor.
I don't really have much to say, but there's no mod option for "semi-inspiring".
Sir Alec Guinness was a great man, and despite what he said about Star Wars, I for one will remember him for his role as Obi-Wan.
Sleep well, Sir Alec. You will be remembered.
--
--
Star Trek vs Star Wars. Take a look. You may like it.
Well, I don't agree. Remembering someone's life upon occasion of their death is hardly "wallowing." If it seems that way to you then I have to wonder just how much meaning life has for you.
When someone famous dies, it is an opportunity for us to reflect on our own accomplishments and mortality. From such reflection derives wisdom. If you don't know or care enough about Alec Guinness' life to reflect on where it touches you own, that's fine. Just show a bit of respect for those of us who do.
Sir Alec earned his fame, and you might find it worthwhile someday to investigate how and why. Until then, leave those who wish to celebrate and memorialize his life and its connection to our own lives free to do so without your churlish comments.
Uh...
I don't believe he was in Arthur (assuming you're referring to the 1981 Dudley Moore vehicle). The butler (Hobson) was played by Sir John Gielgud, another brilliant actor we tragically lost just this last May at the age of 96.
Ask your doctor if getting up off your ass is right for you! -- Bill Maher
I have a problem with people who are idiots.
Like you.
First, do you even know what a freudian slip is? Do you really understand much of what you said? It seems like standard intellectual masturbation, because I cannot find a message in your posts.
Star Wars is a geek flick. It is a science fiction soap opera for god's sake. Yes, there is universal appeal. That means that they did a good job. Normally, it would be fare for Saturday mornings on the Sci-Fi channel.
I am unclear about exactly what you mean by this (and i'm guessing) your previous post. Most of it is just drivel to make you look like you are intelligent. I am considered by some to be of above average intelligence, yet your post is written so unclearly that I and others cannot figure out what you are talking about. You may actually have a point besides trying to be important, but we cant tell.
How about you repost and show us your intelligence by actually posting clear, concise text that people can understand.
Oh. And maybe you should try to actually understand someone before you decide to show how much of a jerk you are by replying in such a manner again.
Lighten up,
Obi-wan is dead.
Long live the jedi
See ya
-fff-
"Guinness, who received a share of Star Wars grosses for agreeing to appear in the original movie and its sequels, made no secret of his disdain for the film, calling it "frightful rubbish" and refusing to answer fan mail concerning it."
"Frightful rubbish." LOL. Yeah, it's a shame that geeks don't discover the theatre until later in life. Then they'd see how their memorization of Star Wars is really quite embarrassing. I still think that "American Graffiti" is far and away George Lucas's best film and better than all of the Star Wars filmed combined.
Oh well, he lived an amazing life and just like the death of John Gielgud, now everyone else moves up a notch.
My name is Carlos Montoya. You share files of my music. Prepare to die.
My favorite quote form the story
Free as in "the Truth shall set you..."
Being famous just means that lots of people pester you, 24/7, for autographs, interviews, photographs, etc. Sure, some people like it, but I can't imagine Alec Guiness did. His love was in acting. Being a one-man freak-show (which is all being famous is) just doesn't fit him at all.
As for being the Immortal Overlord of the Universe, that's one hell of a responsibility. I'd rather stick to something I can manage. Besides, as Doctor Who pointed out, immortality is a curse, not a blessing. (5 Doctors.)
Ok, so why should this death matter more than any other? First, that presumes that a person's life is unimportant. IMHO, ALL life is important. Second, it also assumes that being mentioned has a higher status than not. When you pick a representitive, it's not because they are "superior" to those who they represent, it's because it would be a bloody mess, otherwise. Alec Guiness, to me, is a representitive of a kind of quiet nobleness that can also do what it takes to get things done. Therefore, to me, he represents ALL such people who have lived, live now, or ever will live, who have such a trait. That doesn't make AG any more "special" than the rest, but to list the rest would detract from the specialness of ALL of them, through simply drowning out the REAL signal in all the noise.
It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
I doubt many people will argue that Ford is better than Audi or Volvo. Retarded indeed.
Actually depends on the vehicle. The Crown Victoria is a good car and tough. The only drawback being it's huge engine that sucks gas. But I digress...
It bugs me how much Sir Alec Guiness is connected to Star Wars. All personal dislikes of his aside, Obi-Wan strikes me as a somewhat stifling role. But this popular connection is also disturbing because, as many have pointed out, the man had a long and varied career.
It's kind of like [fav. author plug] Timothy Zahn, who is a really good science fiction writer, but most who know him know him as the Star Wars guy. Granted, they were good SW books, but he's written a lot of other good stuff.[/plug]
So in the midst of all the bad (tasteless?) "force be with you" and "stronger than you can ever imagine" jokes, remember that Sir Alec Guiness was not just Obi-Wan Kenobi.
-J
Karma: T-rexcellent.
It occures to me that the people who belive this are also likely to still be virgins at 40. it seems the AIDS plague has always been part of the world but was never identified as a specific desease untill it started killing republicans. Funny how that always seems to work that way....
-- Defenestrate Microsoft!
(from www.imdb.com) - not hard if you make even the most cursory investigation. Personally, I'll go for The Ladykillers and Kind Hearts and Coronets
TomV
that now that he's dead, people aren't gonna start coming out with stories about how weird he was, how he did this or that negative thing, etc.
RIP
--
Peace,
Lord Omlette
ICQ# 77863057
[o]_O
Sir Alec Guinness exemplified the glory of the late British Empire. And, one should remember, these were the people who developed determination and correctness to a bizarre level. The movies; Bridge over the River Kwai (which Alec acted in) and Breaker Morant (which he didn't) are not exaggerations. In fact, during the colonization of India, a lifelong teatotaler refused his ration of rum and was promptly shot for disobeying an order. These were the people who, with a quart of kerosine and a leaded tin of potted meat, could plant flags on Everest and the North Pole. I was never in the least surprised to learn the He did not like playing the last of the good knights as a foil to the evil that the Empire became (and in a 'space-opera' to boot). So, yes he was a crusty old bastard in some ways. And, yes his old comedies were dry wit. And, yes the old style acting is passe. However, he was one of the last of the old school. His kind will not pass this way again. Rest well, Sir Guinness.
"..don't you eat that yellow snow."
I, actually, am not saddened by his death. Many thousands of people die every day, and I'm not particularly moved by the passing of some guy who once participated in making a product I liked. Probably dozens of such people die every day. Unlike many of the people dying every day, this one had a good full life. What more can you ask for than to be rich and famous and live to a ripe old age? (well, I'm sure many of us would like to become the immortal overlord of all the universe, but probably only one of us will)
There are a lot of good stories that get passed up, but this one goes up so we can wallow in the death of a stranger? Now that makes me sad.
---
Despite rumors to the contrary, I am not a turnip.
This just sucks ass. The real Kenobi has become more powerful than you can ever imagine. And it sucks. Man. First bones, then Obi-Wan. Fuck. Time to smoke some more weed.
name two other works that guiness was a major character in. These must not include any star-wars or movies/plays you found out about today.
FluX
After 16 years, MTV has finally completed its deevolution into the shiny things network
"It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once." -David Hume
I read this interview too, he did say that. I'll see if I find a link.
- sigs are for wimps.
As a 30 year old male geek...as a child I did not have many hero's....but one of mine died today....for this cried...I cried and cried....he will be missed and never forgotten!
I've read a few interviews with Actors of Alec Guinness' generation, and they all say that they were taught never to refuse work. Peter Cushing said this when asked about the more 'titilating' Hammer Horror films, and the great Lionel Jeffries has also said the same thing a few time, too.
Find funky gifts
Are you trolling?
He was never made wealthy by all the famous roles, like in Lawrence of Arabia and Zhivago. Playing Obi-Wan gave him a lot more remuneration than he was accustomed to, and a certain amount of financial independence.
Anyway, he describes all this in detail in his wonderful autobiography, Blessings in Disguise.
"When I'm singing a ballad and a pair of underwear lands on my head, I hate that. It really kills the mood."
When I'm singing a ballad and a pair of underwear lands on my head, I hate that. It really kills the mood.
-Tom Jones
Troll wept.
Ignorence is blis.
-Troll wept.
Ignorence is blis.
You guys are serious or what, ever heard of that little director.... whatzhisname... Alfrad Lean? Fritz Lean, David Lean? :D
CY
If you haven't seen it, seek out his classic "The Man In The White Suit". For those who have not seen it, Guinness plays a scientist who invents the ultimate textile - a thread that will never wear out. His bosses oppose his experimenting and the money he's wasting, but he's driven. Not to spoil the film, but he creates enough thread to weave a suit. It's bright white, as it is impervious to dye. It never gets dirty and has to be cut with a blow-torch.
How does everyone react to this wonderful invention? They all hate him! Management figures out (eventually) that they'll sell everyone one suit of clothes and then they're out of business. Labor figures out that they'll make that one suit, and then they'll be out of a job. This wonderful invention has the potential to destroy civilization as we know it.
Sound like anything you know?
"How perfectly Goddamn delightful it all is, to be sure" Charles Crumb
In the book "Empire Building", it says that Lucas & Co. decided mid-film to kill Kenobi -- in early drafts he was just wounded, and it became a cinematic difficulty to have the characters lugging around this lame old man.
The said in the book that AG's agent was extremely unhappy with this, but was assured that he would still be used in any sequels. I don't remember any direct reaction from AG himself.
Anyway, the news is sad, but you can't really ask more from a life.
Kill, Tux, kill!
I read something to the opposite effect. That he threatened to quit when Lucas decided to kill him off halfway through the first film. Guess that's why these things are called rumors.
It's not enough to bash in heads, you've got to bash in minds. - Captain Hammer
Ahh! Now that you mention it, I do seem to recall reading something about that... Whoops. :D
-- www.bteg.com | bleh.n3.net | hac47.dhs.org
This is unfortunately true. He was quoted multiple times as saying that he hated the role and thought the entire phenomenon was simplistic and ridiculous.
Yet, millions of fans loved him for his work in the movies. I suppose we should just remember him for his role and leave it at that.
Email me.
Don't trust anyone over 90000.
+++ATH0
Sir Guinness has faded now
To the world he made his final bow
The world remembers what he was
The great man who drew our applause
The enigma that he held
His great fire still not quelled
His gifts forever we'll remember
His life will burn a lasting ember
Let us not forget this day
For a great man has faded away
-KillerPenguin
The fact remains, however, that he was indeed a great actor and he made a conversation about the Clone Wars sound as believable and exciting as anything he and Omar Sharif discussed. For that, Star Wars fans remember him the way he deserves...as a great actor who was a big part of what we know as a great film.
Martin
Apart from Trek or X-Men, Mr. Stewart is an excellent, internationally-acclaimed Shakespearean actor. There is not a single role I have seen him in when I was not greatly impressed with his talent. The fact that Sir Guinness was older and more experienced than Mr. Stewart does not detract from the latter's talent in comparison.
You're probably a troll, but I thought I'd make that clear anyway.
Email me.
Don't trust anyone over 90000.
+++ATH0
australians didnt invade east timor, we took part in a UN sanctioned peace keeping mission to protect the local timorese from Indonesian millitary backed malitia forces. The indonesian government invaded Timor in 1975 December 7 1975 More than 200,000 people died by 1981. Australians are playing a vital role in rebuilding Timor. Your comments are offensive, and show great ignorance. An NewZealand soldier was killed last month by malitia forces, it is still a volatile place, and the UN forces are a necessary presence. - anonymous posted because who can be bothered with another stupid login/pass Sam Moore fractal@bigpond.net
Don't trust anyone with a Slashdot ID# over 30.
Sure it's sarcasm, but this is ironic coming from User #11149.
Great movie.
--- Never hold a dustbuster and a cat at the same time ---
Setting his threshold to 5, Sparky eliminated most of the trolls on /.
Yeah, they knight lots of people who aren't very good actors...
DrLunch.com The site that tells you what's for lunch!
Yes, the first thing i did upon seeing this article was visit the imdb. but you obviously didn't even bother to read the full two sentances of my comment.
oh, and congratulations, you learned how to cut and paste
tomorrow we'll cover editing your own text.
FluX
After 16 years, MTV has finally completed its deevolution into the shiny things network
"It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once." -David Hume
Thats sad. I always wanted a reunion of the main cast members. Obi was always my fav too.
I sorta like
Atleast he died peacefully without pain. May The Force Be With Him.
- Joe
-Joe
> they all say that they were taught never to refuse work.
The telenews just showed a clip of AG talking about how hard it is for an older guy to get a part, compared to a young guy.
Also, FWIW, he supposedly signed on for a percentage rather than a fee, which surely paid off when SW became so popular.
--
Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
He shall be missed.
> Perhaps you're just too young ... to remember
I'm not sure that's all of it. We have a very shallow cultural memory. Remember last year when everyone was publishing the "100 Best {books, films, recordings, etc.}" of the 20th Century - most of them were heavily weighted toward more recent works (with some nice exceptions, though).
Partly it's a matter of most of us being unfamiliar with what went on before we were born, and part of it is undoubtedly because of longer term drift in tastes and improvements in technology... but mostly, I think hype and commercialism have created a disposable culture, where new stuff is supposed to supercede the old rather than accumulate with it.
--
Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
Mere Coincidence? Or Disturbance in the Force?
You had me at "dicks fuck assholes".
We all know who the real obi-wan is. Hopefully this new generation of Star Wars fans don't think of Ewan as obi-wan.
<high-level position here>
<name of stupid small company here>
Does anyone know where James Earl Jones was, at the time Sir Alec died? If I were the bobbies, I would check this out . . . .
Damn shame, to say the least. All the great idols are slowly fading to black.
Interested in open source engine management for your Subaru?
...is here
Bride Over the River Kwai? Who played Guinness' wife in that movie? And just what was she doing over that river?
I agree. topic=movies would be a better fit. If Harrison Ford died tomorrow, would the headline say 'Han Solo actor dies.'? I doubt it.
---
If Slashdot had a flag, it should be flying at half mast.
It's only software!
Anyone wonder why, if he thought so little of Star Wars, he took the role? It was good enough for him to accept the pay, I'll bet. If the movie or character is tripe, make your artistic statement by turning it down. Actors who take a part and then later diss it earn diminished respect in my eyes.
But thanks for judging my mental health by a perhaps poorly worded sentence. And thanks for reminding me that there are still complete assholes out there.
I've always wondered about this. If Sir Alec hated Star Wars so... then why'd he do it. I mean he was a famous high-falutin actor and at the time Lucas et. al. were simply making a cheesy sci-fi movie (or so they thought).
Seems to me, he didn't HAVE to do it, so why did he?
I'd love this explained, so I can stop hating him for what I see as his pathetic arrogance.
I know this old one has been posted, but just wanted to make it obvious for someone skimming the subjects. TWR
OK this is the tops /. put Alec Guiness under the title of Star Wars. First of all he hated his part in Star Wars and anyone with even the slightest knowledge of Star Wars knows that. Secondly to encompass one of the greatest actors lives we ever knew under one symbol is bad; what if we classified Patrick Stewart under Star Trek; kind of sickening isn't it. Sorry I had to mouth of this is disgraceful and I am desperately waiting for my overdew Mobo.
This is a sad day... a genuinely good and talented man has passed away.
For those of you who have reasonable attention spans... try the following 2 BBC miniseries if you can get your hands on them.
"Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy."
"Smiley's People".
They are based on John Le Carre's books, and are somewhat Cerebral, but for those who like that sort of thing, they are the best in the genre. Alec guinness has done an amazing job playing George Smiley.
Another film that moved me powerfully, was "The bridge on the river Kwai". Guinness is scarily good in that one as well.
Hari.
Of course everyone remembers him for his great portrayal of the great Jedi, but had so many more movies than just those three. And he was fantastic in each and everyone one of them. My favorites were a string of british comedies with classics such as the Lavender Hill Mob, and The Man In the White Suit, amongst other great ones. They combined great acting with very dry wit, and very good writing. They are a joy to watch over and over again. Guinness was also considered one of the greatest actors in the world with his role in Bridge on the River Kwai.
I love Star Wars, he was great as Obi-Wan, but he wasn't just great as Obi-Wan, he was great in just about everything I've ever seen him in.
That being said it is a very sad day that the world should lose such a great actor since there aren't any left. If you want to see what acting is all about, you won't find out from watching a George Clooney or Nicholas Cage film, you will however get an idea of the art of acting by watching some of Alec Guinness's older work.
lswv("Noooooo!!!!");
/*Luke Sky Walker Voice*/
--
I'm sorry. The number you have reached is imaginary. Please rotate your phone 90 degrees and try again.
One of my favorite Guiness films was The Horse's Mouth, a comedy about a down and out artist desperately trying to find a way to finance his work. It's Guiness at his crankiest, and the only film in which you'll get to here Sir Alec impersonating the Duchess of Blackpool. Worth renting, if you can find it.
Many of the US films are not available here in Germany because they're only published in the US region (esp. the older ones, where region coding makes /no sense at all/ -- why exactly do they have to fear that a film could be bought here when it hasn't run in Germany yet if the film is from 1952?).
They're more expensive.
Sometimes they are available, but you cannot switch off the bloody subtitles (for legal reasons, whatever that means). IMHO that's annoying.
Sometimes they leave out the English audio track. In an American film. What the fuck?!
So, I'm kinda pissed by the whole DVD thing. They try everything to scare away potential buyers. Unfortunately, they have one hell of a monopoly.
Perhaps it was 'the generational' thing? People of the era were raised to do the work they were trained for and offered. Dollars lost were not considered recoverable. Turning it down would not have been preceived as 'an artistic statement' but more as 'prima donaish'.(wow! is that a real word? made my spell checker sputter!)
This was a man whose pride would insist on being the best he could be while still bringing home the bacon.
Just a guess
ah! the internet!! we may still screw up the world but NEVER again will we be able to claim IGNORANCE
How can anyone say this movie is good? It's the most grossly innacurate portrayal of prisoners building the railroad for the Japanese during WWII. The entire movie is complete garbage that depicts the hardship those poor soldiers went through as something trivial.
Fuck that movie.
Finder
Um... No. A decent automobile? I'm serious, tell me.
.02
My
Quux26
My
Quux26
www.crashspace.net
is that despite how much better work Guiness did than Star Wars, and how much he hated it, (as many people have said) look what category the story is posted under: Star Wars Prequels!
----------
"Rock over London... Rock on Chicago..." -Wesley Willis
He thought it was rubbish (and I'm talking about the ones he was in, not Episode 1) and said such whenever asked about it.
I thought that the purpose of Slashdot was to have a forum for public opinion. What can actually be said about this article besides "oh its so sad" and distasteful humour?
Perhaps there should be another slashbox called "Obituaries" or something.
nf
Still, even one quarter of one percent of the total profits from Star Wars (et al) since 1977 would keep me in expensive Italian toys....
Tim
I think this is the best post of the article
mmmmm... beer.
if common sense was common, wouldn't everyone have it?
As I recall from several interviews of his, he never really liked having been part of the Star Wars mythos. He rightfully felt that his film legacy was overshadowed by what he considered a non-important film.
Ironically, his most symbolic line as Obi-Wan, "If you strike me down, I will become more powerful than you can imagine" (para) now rings truer. Sir Alec will never be mentioned in the media again without reference to the character he hated - Obi-Wan has indeed grown more powerful.
--
______________________________________________
Don't blame me - I voted for Howard Dean. http://dean2004.blogspot.com
--Kylus
--Kylus
Idiot-proof something, and Life will build a better Idiot.
--- Never hold a dustbuster and a cat at the same time ---
Setting his threshold to 5, Sparky eliminated most of the trolls on /.
Ok, for the 2nd and 3rd movies, maybe. But what about the 1st one. Probably not a truckful, maybe a pickup? IIRC, ANH was not a major budget movie, even though you have big names like Guiness and Cushing. Seem to remember hearing something like $2 million for special effects, gives me the impression that it wasn't a $50 movie where the actors could be entices with million dollar deals.
Makes you wonder, did Lucas let them read the script beforehand? If Guiness thought it was so bad, why would he take the role? I kind doubt Lucas flashed millions under his nose for the first movie. Is it possible hi took the job without reading the script, or having seen how bad it was, thought he could talk Lucas into letting him ad-lib a bit to make it bearable? I would find it hard to believe that an actor of his stature read the script, saw how bad his lines were, and then decided to take the job anyway.
Anyway, hope he passed peacefully. He was a tremendous talent. Too bad he will probably be memorialized as Obi-Wan, his roles in other works like Great Expectations and Oliver Twist were much more substantive, but were not hollywood summer blockbuster sci-fi and so have probably never been seen by most.
If you are really interested in paying tribute, go rent Bridge on the River Kwai.
There is much cruelty in the universe, John.
Yeah, we seem to have the tour map.
Jebediah!
Shit, mother?
Release your sisters, boy!
I'm aware of all the statistical explanations, that millions of people are thinking about millions of other people every day, and millions of people die every day, so a coincidence like this isn't really so stunning, but it's still spooky when it happens to you.
Linux advocates are in a no Win situation
There's a complete story and bio on BBC's site now... A good read for our favorite Jedi...
------
I encourage everyone to watch Kind Hearts and Coronets. A great, if funny, film.
If anyone is interested in purchasing his autobiography, I just found it at Amazon: click here.
Kind of like: "It's an apple." "No, it's actually a fruit."
--
"I have a good idea why it's hard to verify programs. They're usually wrong." --Manuel Blum, FOCS 94
Geroge Lucas knocks on your front door and shows you a dump truck full of money. He offers you an acting job for a movie you think sucks. Do you take the money?
Only the State obtains its revenue by coercion. - Murray Rothbard
fff
Oh yeah, Harrison Ford didn't like it either (though it made him who he is today.)
Someone else can respond to the idea that he never would have been Indy had he not been Han.
--
Never trust anyone over 90000.
Disclaimer: I can't substantiate this, but I have no doubt in my mind that Hollywood is accustomed to heavy handing and scapegoating. I have no reason to believe that Guinness was heavy-handed into Star Wars, but it is a possibility that we must accept. In all likelyhood however, Guinness took the part because he was initially interested in it, and later discovered his animosity.
Do yourself a big favor and see some of sir Alex's great works! Some of my favorites. "The Man in the White Suit" "Edwin" "Monsignor Quixote" ( with Leo Mckern! based on the book by Graham Green ) and of course "Tinker Tailor Soldger Spy" follwed by it's sequel " Smilies People " ( both Tinker and Smilie's based on Books by John Le Carre, top notch cold war drama ) but my all time favorite has to be "The Horse's Mouth" Sir Alex was a hell of a lot more than just Obi Wan Kenobi!
Fritz Lang, on the other hand, directed Metropolis, the futuristic German SF film from 1926 which some see as proto-cyberpunk. There's stuff on Metropolis all over the web, for instance here. But try Google.
Come on folks, Sir Alec Guiness will be remembered by geeks only as Obi-Wan Kenobe. I'll remember him most for his brilliant role as the British Colonel in "Bridge over the River Kwai" and as King Faisal in "Lawrence of Arabia". Obi Wan was a great sci-fi role in a landmark picture, but it was far from good acting (imo).
He was a great actor, and was in theater for over 50 years, let's remember him for more than just Obi-Wan.
When questioned of his whereabouts the night of August 5, Mr. Binks replied, "Meeza so smart enslik at Meeza doan tink no uns guna figars owt ut reely happin an Meeza runs scot frees egin! Tuh hek wif da bludy gluv Meeza gots, cuz yawlza cant pruv dat blud aints Meeza's!" Because no one can understand what the hell the alien moron is jabbering about, the authorities had no choice but to let him go.
...and Jar Jar kills yet another bit of my fond childhood memories
This is a semi offtopic rant, but I feel very appropriate.
I felt like the best way to celebrate his life would be to rent many of the previous movies that Alec Guinness had been in that people here found so wonderful. It seemed his wish was not to be remembered as Obi Wan, so the least I could do is watch a number of his other movies.
That's when I found out that almost NOTHING he has been in is out on DVD (Oliver Twist to be exact), with two more on the way.
But, if you look at any site that sells UK DVD's, you'll see pretty much the whole set of Guinness movies - almost any movie he's ever done, including the Ladykillers (which I was particularilly interested in). Never have I seen such a clear example of how stupid the whole region encoding thing is.
Now I have to buy a region free capable player, and replace the controlled one I own now. That is the least I can do as a tribute to Alec Guinness.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
I remember seeing Sir Alec in Star Wars and, wondering what else he had done, several old films (yes films - with projector) that my family and I got from the local Library.
I remember the Man In The White Suit vividly but the part he played that most surprised me was in the 1948 Oliver Twist.
My mother and I were watching that film on PBS one night and trying throughout the whole film to figure out which part he was playing. We finally decided that the only part that could be him - because the film was so old - was the artful dodger. We were totally shocked to find out that he played Fagan! We never thought he was that old or that accomplished by that time. On top of it he was incredibly good even then - at the age of 34 - at taking on a role. AFAIAC anything he did was seamless! No matter what role he played he took the mantle of the part and wrapped it around himself until only a very sharp person could tell he was not who he pretended to be. It was totally amazing to watch him be someone else completely and be someone else so different between each film he did.
Fairwell to one of the great actors of our time. We shall miss him tremendously.
The Tick - "Spoon!"
NEO - "There is no spoon."
"Bah!" - Dogbert
Apparently he was actually quite annoyed with star wars because he was always associated with it even though he did so many other good movies.
We each have our own memories of him, and his loss is a great one.
Star Wars wouldn't be half of what it is without him. Obi-Wan was easily the best character in the first film, and certainly had some of the best lines, with the exception maybe of Darth Vader.[Disclaimer: I like Star Wars as much as the next geek, though I'm not fanatical]
"Who is the more foolish: The fool, of the fool who follows him?"
Maybe we should think carefully about that one with elections looming here in the States.
-={(Astynax)}=-
-={(Astynax)}=-
"Darkness beyond Twilight"
Now, I hear a lot of bantering on Slashdot about Alex Guinness and just how much he hated Star Wars.
Well now; Let me tell you what just happened.
Alex Guinness just approached me, and he wanted me to tell you something veeery interesting!
He said, "Lion,... I want you to tell them, that I've changed my mind a little bit. That stuff about the Force and what not. Well, you know... I've had a little change of heart. And I really liked that movie too. I want you to tell everyone in Slashdot that."
I swear. He was just floating up in the middle of my living room (perhaps he showed up on my webcam), and he was semi-transparent, and he was talking with me.
Yah,... Shimmering Blue Light and everything. MmHmm. Just like in Star Wars Episode 5. I'm not kidding.
So,.. there it is.
Oh, and his last words were, "May the Code be With you," and then, "Goodnight," very politely.
Sir Alec Guinness revealed in an interview last year that he hated the Star Wars movies (the dialogue, in particular), and actually wanted the character killed off.
Guinness did so much more than just Obi Wan. Please, let's remember him the way he deserves -- and would have wanted -- to be remembered.
--
begin 644
For those who want to see "the guy who played Obi-Wan" at his best, check out the following movies if you can.
The Ladykillers
Kind Hearts and Coronets (where he plays 8 characters. Suck on that Murphy.)
The Man in the White Suit
All of these are classics British movies from the 50's (Well Kind Hearts was shortly before.) The Ladykillers in particular is, in my humble opinion, a classic.
You will be missed Alec.
---
dude, this is someone's life we are talking about. These types of jokes are not appropriat. Your joke is not even funny in the first place. Please go get a soul and a sence of humour, and learn how to use them
Buying a Dell computer is equivalent to dropping the soap in a prison shower.
As far as your claim that he had a "massive ego" goes, nothing could be further from the truth. Guinness had a reputation for being extremely modest and shy of publicity.