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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.
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.
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.
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Despite rumors to the contrary, I am not a turnip.
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
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.
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
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.
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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.
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