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There are two kinds of Edward Woodward fans -- the kind that automatically say "Equalizer!" when they hear his name and the kind that speak in respectful hushed tones of his performances in Breaker Morant (my personal favorite) and the original The Wicker Man. Woodward died today in London at age 79. Smart salute.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on November 16, 2009 at 6:35 AM
comment #1
mattn
says ...
This is a sadly underrated movie today, but it's one of my personal top ten. The first time I saw it, I was all ready to walk out of the theater and declare war on Britain.
Posted by mattn
at November 16, 2009 7:23 AM
comment #2
moviefan
says ...
Breaker Morant is one of my favorite movies of all time, Edward Woodward, Jack Thompson, Bryan Brown, all superb. I have an older DVD but I think I'll add this to my Blu Ray Christmas wish list.
Posted by moviefan
at November 16, 2009 7:34 AM
comment #3
Ronald McFirbank
says ...
I suspect there are four kinds-- at Aint It Cool the talk will be all about The Wicker Man, I'm sure; and for some, though not Americans, he will always be Callan.
Posted by Ronald McFirbank
at November 16, 2009 7:55 AM
comment #4
cinemascopian
says ...
Sad news. Woodward will always be, first and foremost, Callan, in one of the best British TV shows ever. Great great actor.
Posted by cinemascopian
at November 16, 2009 8:20 AM
comment #5
NightWriter
says ...
I own this Blu-ray and while the visuals are decent the audio is sub-standard. That said, BM remains one of the great semi-unseen/underappreciated films of the late 70s/early 80s. My favorite scene is when the prison comes under attack and Woodward, Brown and their junior compadre cooly demonstrate their extreme military competence by routing the scruffy insurgents. Then, once the shooting stops, they return to their cells as prisoners. Honorable men in a dishonorable geo-political struggle. True scapegoats, even if they weren't exactly saints.
Posted by NightWriter
at November 16, 2009 9:38 AM
comment #6
Floyd Thursby
says ...
After seeing BM, Nancy Reagan announced that Bryan Brown was her favorite actor. Always wondered what Mrs. Dutch thought of what the film is saying.
Posted by Floyd Thursby
at November 16, 2009 10:12 AM
comment #7
lazarus
says ...
My father and I used to watch The Equalizer and both loved it. I also had a VHS copy of Breaker Morant when I was in high school in the late 80's and saw The Wicker Man pretty early on as well.
So I guess I fall in both camps.
Posted by lazarus
at November 16, 2009 1:47 PM
comment #8
Carl LaFong
says ...
"Are there no prisons?! Are there no workhouses?!?!" A line from A CHRISTMAS CAROL that is usually delivered in dripping irony, Woodward delivered as a spitting invictive that nailed Dicken's rage. Hands down, the finest Ghost of Christmas Present, as presented in the 1984 version, which looks better and better with every passing year...
Posted by Carl LaFong
at November 16, 2009 2:44 PM
comment #9
Rich S.
says ...
Carl just beat me to it. Considering the season, it is proper to remember Mr. Woodward's Ghost of Christmas Present. God speed, Edward.
Posted by Rich S.
at November 16, 2009 2:53 PM
comment #10
TulseLuper
says ...
Edgar Wright's beautiful tribute to the man:
http://www.edgarwrighthere.com/2009/11/edward-woodward-1930-2009/
RIP.
Posted by TulseLuper
at November 16, 2009 3:11 PM
comment #11
lipranzer
says ...
I think of him from The Equalizer, and also from the original WICKER MAN. I didn't even recognize him in HOT FUZZ at first, but he was really funny when I watched it again.
That was a great tribute by Wright. It's reminding me I need to watch Callan, and give BREAKER MORANT another try.
Posted by lipranzer
at November 16, 2009 6:48 PM
comment #12
Anthony Thorne
says ...
I like him in CALLAN and THE EQUALIZER, but my personal fave is his commercial for Kraft Wood furniture products.
"'Kraft Wood' would where 'wood' wood wouldn't, or my name isn't Edward Woodward!'
Posted by Anthony Thorne
at November 16, 2009 7:22 PM
comment #13
lawnorder
says ...
Damn it! I loved him as an actor. So fucking brilliant in WICKER MAN. BREAKER MORANT is an extraordinary film.
Posted by lawnorder
at November 16, 2009 7:42 PM
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