Ode to John Hurt
An incredible actor that nobodyís ever heard of
Nobody knows who John Hurt is. Even when I tell people he’s an actor, I still get a a blank look.
Despite the fact that almost everyone in the United States has probably seen a movie with this amazing 66-year-old British actor in it, no one knows his name or gives him his full credit.
In my opinion, he’s more than earned a place among the COOSCABESAWAWKHTAPHAV.
This catchy acronym stands for The Coalition Of Old Shakespeare-Caliber (And Beyond) English, Scottish And Welsh Actors Who Know How To Act, Plus Have Amazing Voices.
Other distinguished members include Anthony Hopkins, the one and only Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs;” Ian McKellen, Gandalf from “The Lord of the Rings” and Magneto from “X-Men”; Ian McDiarmid, who masterfully portrayed Emperor Palpatine in five “Star Wars” films; Christopher Lee, who played Count Dooku in two “Star Wars” films, as well as many other distinguished roles; and Patrick Stewart, Captain Jean-Luc Picard from “Star Trek: The Next Generation;” as well as Professor Charles Xavier from the aforementioned “X-Men.”
In case you’re still fuzzy about who John Hurt is or what he sounds like, he played Professor Broom in “Hellboy;” Chancellor Sutler in “V for Vendetta” and Mr. Ollivander in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”
Most people will probably know him from the movie “Alien” — he was the first guy to have the little monster dude burst out of his chest.
This guy is awesome.
His voice alone is enough to get you interested in whatever film he’s appearing in.
It’s a low, somewhat husky voice — and as Hurt ages, it’s getting a little more gravelly — but it’s highly cultured.
Hurt has a magnificent English accent that’s got just the right combination of inflection, consonant cadence and pitch to make it the most distinctive voice I’ve ever heard.
If he wanted to, Hurt could brainwash me into smearing licorice all over my face, climbing a tree and throwing walnuts at random people, just with his voice.
The voice is just part of it, though.
Hurt really knows how to act. Some movies he’s been in, like “Hellboy,” wouldn’t have been half as good if he hadn’t been in them.
Due to his skill on the set, his poise, his bearing, his delivery, the timeliness of his gestures and the depth of his facial expressions, he lends an air of dignity, authority and quality to whatever context he’s put into.
Even that scene in “Spaceballs” where he rehashed his role in “Alien” had a feeling of expertise to it.
But alas, enthusiastically drop his name and all you’ll get are questioning stares, or an indulgent “yeah.”
So, in response to public indifference to a great man’s talent, I challenge the movie-going community to view a John Hurt film and see if they don’t find some nugget of truth in what I’ve said.
I also challenge them to resist the urge to smear licorice all over their faces and throw walnuts at people.
Columnists' opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of The Spectrum