Paul Scofield Movies
A professional since the age of fourteen, British actor Paul Scofield was widely regarded as one of the 20th century's finest interpreters of Shakespeare. His first role of note was as The Bastard in a Birmingham Repertory staging of Shakespeare's King John; following that, he performed in more than 80 plays over the course of his long and distinguished career. Scofield's Hamlet, in particular, has entered the realm of theatrical legend: in 1955, he portrayed the Danish prince in the Soviet Union, the first English actor to be invited to do so since the 1917 revolution. In addition, his interpretations of Henry V, Pericles and King Lear earned a place in theatrical history.While his rough facial features prevented him from becoming a movie matinee idol along the lines of Laurence Olivier, Scofield was always welcome in his extremely infrequent film appearances. His first picture was That Lady (1955), for which he won a Most Promising Newcomer British Academy Award for his portrayal of King Philip II of Spain. In 1966, Scofield gained international film stardom -- and won an Academy Award -- for recreating his Tony-winning Broadway portrayal of Sir Thomas More in A Man for All Seasons. Further acclaim greeted the actor for his work in films such as Kenneth Branagh's Henry V (1989) and Franco Zeffirelli's Hamlet (1990). In 1994, at the age of seventy-two, Scofield was once again nominated for an Oscar, this time for his performance as American poet Mark Van Doren in director Robert Redford's Quiz Show. Two years later, audiences could see him in Nicholas Hyntner's The Crucible, lending somber authority to the role of Judge Danforth. Scofield earned one of his last credits doing voiceover work on the Hallmark television production of Animal Farm in 1999.
Over the course of his career, Scofield served as the co-director for the Royal Shakespeare Company (1966-1968) and as the director of the National Theatre (1971). His years of service to his country culminated in a several offers of of knighthood from Queen Elizabeth, honors that the actor gracefully declined on each occasion. Scofield died of leukemia in March 2008, at the age of 86. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Although the late Sir Winston Churchill will be forever remembered as the Prime Minister who bravely led Britain through the darkest days of World War II. This documentary focuses on his passion for painting. Artists Lady Birley and Paul Maze give their professional insight on Churchill's work, while Merle Oberon, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Viscount Montgomery offer their personal recollections of the man as artist and statesman. The feature was reissued in 1990. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Merle Oberon, Sian Phillips, (more)
Adapted by Robert Bolt and Constance Willis from Bolt's hit stage play, A Man for All Seasons stars Paul Scofield, triumphantly repeating his stage role as Sir Thomas More. The crux of the film is the staunchly Catholic More's refusal to acknowledge King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw)'s break from the church to divorce his first wife and marry Anne Boleyn (an unbilled Vanessa Redgrave). Sir Thomas willingly goes to the chopping block rather than sacrifice his ideals. Director Fred Zinnemann retains the play's verbosity without sacrificing the film's strong sense of visuals. The impeccably chosen cast includes Wendy Hiller as Sir Thomas' likably contentious wife Alice, John Hurt as the deceitful Richard Rich (More's put-downs of this despicable character provide some of the film's biggest laughs), Orson Welles as a dour Cardinal Woolsey, Leo McKern as the ambitious Thomas Cromwell, and Susannah York as More's daughter Margaret. The "Common Man," an important bridging-the-scenes character in the original play, is removed from the film version, which does just fine without him. A Man for All Seasons won six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor, as well as seven British Film Academy awards. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller, (more)
John Frankenheimer directs Burt Lancaster in the tense spy thriller The Train. Lancaster plays Labiche, a French railway inspector. Allied forces are threatening to liberate Paris, so Col. Franz von Waldheim (Paul Scofield) is ordered to move the priceless works of art from the Jeu de Paume Museum to the fatherland. The head of the museum (Suzanne Flon) attempts to convince Labiche that he should sabotage the train on which they are transporting the art. Labiche is more focused on destroying a trainload of German weapons. After his friend is killed trying to stop the train with the art, and after a consciousness-raising conversation with a hotel owner (Jeanne Moreau), Labiche resolves to save the antiquities. Lancaster and Frankenheimer had worked together previously on both Birdman of Alcatraz and Seven Days in May. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Burt Lancaster, Paul Scofield, (more)
The true story of Violette Szabo, a heroine of the Second World War for her espionage activities on behalf of the British government. Born Violette Bushell (Virginia McKenna) to a French mother and an English father, she chances to meet Etienne Szabo (Alain Saury), a French officer, whom she later marries. They have a child, Tania, but Etienne is fatally wounded in the Battle of El Alamein. Violette is already contributing to the war effort at home, but soon discovers that her bi-lingual skills make her a potentially valuable member of England's Special Operations Executive, the country's wartime overseas espionage unit. She agrees to join and, after extensive training, is sent into France in the spring of 1944, on a mission to salvage a resistance unit in Rouen area. Szabo completes that mission successfully and returns home, intending to resume her life as a mother raising her daughter -- but she is offered a second mission in France, immediately after the Normandy landings, and accepts, with tragic consequences. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Virginia McKenna, Paul Scofield, (more)
- 1955
Based on a true event from 16th century Spain, this costume drama follows the tragic life of Ana de Mendoza, Princess of Eboli, (Olivia de Havilland) who is secretly loved by her good friend the King. Unfortunately for the monarch, she marries one of his ministers and bears his son. Her husband eventually dies and later the King asks her help train a replacement for her late husband. When romantic sparks begin flying between the woman and her protege, the king becomes terribly jealous and this sets in motion a terrible tragedy. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gilbert Roland, Paul Scofield, (more)
