landscape painting by Anthony Hopkins

landscape painting by Anthony Hopkins

Portrait of Anthony Hopkins – clever speed painting by Jlorka

Anthony Hopkins Paintings is a post from: Sir Anthony Hopkins, the actor

Anthony Hopkins 2010

Aside from being an Oscar-winning, legendary British actor there are many facets to Anthony Hopkins, apart from his acting that continues to entertain movie goers.

Since childhood Anthony Hopkins has always enjoyed art and music as well as his early attraction to the movies.  Art and music have remained very much part of his life since and even more so lately.  Tony is his preferred name, although his Grandfather called him “George”, his Father called him “Charlie” and he was actually born Philip Anthony Hopkins!  It was Tony’s present wife Stella Arroyave who eventually persuaded him to exhibit his artwork in the U.S. where they live.

Columbian born antiques dealer turned actress Stella Arroyave and Anthony Hopkins

Anthony Hopkins paints landscapes, portraits, and animals, preferring to use a technique of thick acrylic paint and a palette knife to achieve swooping strokes on the canvas.  His self-taught artwork is strong, vibrant and wild with the portraits having haunting eyes.  In March this year Anthony Hopkins art was exhibited in London and Edinburgh with certain pieces being offered for sale.  The art for sale, painted by Tony in his own studio in his home at Malibu beach ranged from £600-£9, 000 but Hopkins, unassuming of his success as an artist, leaves the business side of his art to his Columbian born wife Stella. Of his love of painting Anthony Hopkins says” When I paint, I just paint freely without anxiety regarding outside opinions as criticisms. I do it for sheer pleasure. It’s done wonders for my for my subconscious…I dream now in colours”.

Anthony Hopkins Art - Vivid, wild & Distinctive

It was Jonathan Poole who organized the exhibitions of Anthony Hopkins art in London and Edinburgh.  When asked about the actor’s art Poole commented:

“All of them are very different.  I like bringing interesting people to The Dome and I think it’s important the fans of his film know he paints as well.  Sir Anthony paints with acrylic on canvas and also does ink drawings. He’s self-taught so he’s discovering his own technique.  He uses a palette knife and concentrates on the eyes because he says you see the world through his eyes.”

Anthony Hopkins played the infamous artist Pablo Picasso in "Surviving Picasso" 1996

Artwork by Anthony Hopkins

Prior to gaining a place at the prestigious acting school R.A.D.A, Anthony Hopkins attended the Welsh College of music and drama in Cardiff which prepared him well for both disciplines.  Tony is a piano virtuoso, having performed piano solos in several of his movies, most recently in “The City of Your Final Destination” giving a performance of “Venetian Medley” which is his own composition.  As an accomplished pianist and composer Anthony Hopkins has composed music scores since 1962 for movies and in 2008 The Dallas Symphony Orchestra performed a selection of his compositions for “An evening of Anthony Hopkins’ Music”.  The Welsh actor’s film music was played by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the Meyerson Symphony Centre in Texas. Theme songs from three of his films were also performed, with movie clips introducing each one and slides of his original artwork were also shown with a commentary being given by Tony.

“His music has a wonder and melodic flow that is beautiful and moving,” said Stephen Cook, spokesman for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

“I think our audiences will appreciate his music. This will speak to both the classical music aficionado and the movie fan.  He said his approach to making music is much the same as his approach to acting.  Speaking from his home near Los Angeles, Anthony Hopkins said: “I just go for it and follow my instincts and my intuition.”

Anthony Hopkins an Insight into his Art and Music is a post from: Sir Anthony Hopkins, the actor

WATCH THE EDGE NOW!!  You can watch The Edge movie now or later with our new video on demand above which is great value for money – see options above – why not connect your laptop to your large screen TV, sit back and enjoy!

The Edge (originally titled Bookworm)

This adventure, thriller movie starring Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin has to be one of the top ten movies Hopkins has made.  Set in Alaska the scenery is spectacularly beautiful.  It is a story of pride, survival, jealousy and mind games with bear fighting action.  No one is what they seem to be in The Edge.

Anthony Hopkins plays the well-read, well-spoken billionaire Charles Morse, Elle Macpherson is the glamorous Mickey Morse, his very much younger model wife and Alec Baldwin is Robert Green (Bob) a photographer who “likes his coffee like his women – bitter and murky”.

Charles & Mickey Morse

It is Charles Morse’s birthday and he has accompanied his wife on a photographic shoot in Alaska, along with Bob and the crew.  Mickey gives Charles an engraved pocket-watch and from another he receives a pocket-knife.  The party are ensconced in a vast, rustic log cabin, complete with bear skins over the couch and antlers everywhere – they are in bear country.

Anthony Hopkins as Charles Morse is well-dressed and suave, befitting his billionaire status but he misses nothing, including his wife with Bob as he observes their photo shoot, whilst sitting reading a book called “Lost in the Wilds”.

Bob & Mickey The Edge 1997

The director of the shoot wants a picture of a red Indian and on the advice of a local man, he plans to go and seek out this red Indian some miles away in the sea plane.  Mickey is insistant that Charles goes with them, while she remains at the lodge.  On the plane trip one of the film crew asks Bob about his new watch and again Charles does not miss this coincidence.  Minutes before the plane flies into a flock of birds Charles says:

“So what do you value me for, Bob?”
Bob replies, “I like your style, your wife’s pretty cute too.”
Charles adds, “So how are you planning to kill me?”

The question is not answered ……..SEE THIS MOVIE!!

Best Movie Quote: (just after Charles has killed a bear!)

Charles Morse & Bart the Bear

Charles: “For all my life, I’ve have wanted to do something that was, um, that was unequivocal”.
Bob: “Well, Charlie, I certainly think this qualifies”.
Charles: “Or something”.
Bob: “See, Charles, that’s why they call it personal growth. A month ago, old Smokey here would’ve reared up, you probably would’ve called your lawyer”!
Charles: “Nah, I wouldn’t do that to an animal”.

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE EDGE   $9.98 Widescreen!!

Wide Screen Edition Now Available to take in all the action!!!

The Making of The Edge

Video producer Doug Knutson is the composites editor who skillfully shot the footage featuring the12-foot, 1,600-pound snarling grizzly bear named Bart to appear as if the real bear was actually in the same scene as Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin, however the two were actually shot separately and then cleverly lined up together to appear seemless – some feat!  The bear shots were done first, then the actors were filmed (they had to imagine the bear was there).  Knutson’s job was to blend the two together to give the director a preview to ensure Hopkins’ and Baldwin’s reactions matched the pose of the bear.

Anthony Hopkins & Alec Baldwin The Edge 1997

The movie crew were on location for over a month in the Canadian Rockies near Canmore and whilst filming Anthony Hopkins injured his back and had to be hospitalized for 3 days so a double had to be used for a few shots, then it was Knutson’s job to edit Anthony Hopkins head onto the body double! Hopkins, despite having had micro-surgery only missed one day of shooting and returned even though the role was very punishing physically.

Bart, the bear was brought from Utah along with his trainers to Banff National Park.  As there were other real bears around in that area, rangers were on standby in case they got near the set but there were no grizzly visitors!

Moraine Lake - filming location of The Edge 1997

Banff National Park is full of wildlife – such as bears, cougars, wolves and moose.  One stunning location is Moraine Lake where they spent several days filming, amidst towering snow-capped mountains and the vivid blue lake.  The weather during filming turned to blizzards and both Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin were severely tested by having to learn mountaineering skills, wade through icy waters, run through dense wilderness and endure icy rain storms for real along with the cast and crew.  Helicopters were utilized to film in steep locations.  The Edge movie director Lee Tamahori didn’t want Hollywood studio sets – he wanted the real ruggedness of this big country.

GREAT MOVIE !!  Now available in Widescreen to take in all the action.   CLICK HERE TO BUY THE EDGE
and how about some fabulous chocolates to nibble on whilst you enjoy this movie – for the perfect night in

The Edge (1997) Movie Review is a post from: Sir Anthony Hopkins, the actor

Anthony Hopkins and Harry Belefonte "Bobby" 2006

The movie Bobby 2006 directed by Emilio Estevez has an impressive cast of Hollywood actors – a movie director’s dream.  Anthony Hopkins is executive producer as well as playing the part of John Casey, the retired hotel doorman.  Emilio himself also acts in the movie as Tim Fallon.

Bobby tells the story of the events leading up to the assassination of Robert F Kennedy, centering around the day of June 4^th 1968 at the Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, where Bobby Kennedy was due to appear that evening following the Presidential Primary elections that took place on that fateful day.

ROBERT F. KENNEDY: 1968 CAMPAIGN  MESSAGE OF HOPE & RECONCILIATION

“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation… It is from numerous diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” – Robert F. Kennedy

Robert F Kennedy 1963

Kennedy’s 1968 presidential campaign brought together an unlikely coalition of young people, African Americans, Latinos, Asians, blue collar white workers and families in a string of primary victories, in Indiana and Nebraska, and Washington, DC.

The movie Bobby captures the era of 1968 almost perfectly, setting the scene with references to the movie “The Graduate”, high hair does, 1950s outfits to match and music by The Supremes and Simon and Garfunkel. Only one continuity error reminds the viewer that we are in the present day – when Samantha and Jack are playing tennis, modern day traffic is passing by in the background.  Otherwise the movie credibly transports you back, both in terms of visually and conveys the hopeful spirit that was prevalent in America on that day, despite all her problems.

The year of 1968 will forever be remembered in American history as one of the darkest on record. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot, the Vietnam War was escalating, drug abuse was on a rampage, and, as told in this excellent film by Emilio Estevez, Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated. The director of Bobby cleverly uses the invention of various fictional characters within the Ambassador Hotel, both staff and guests, to depict the social and political problems of that time, weaving the stories of the lives of these people into the unfolding events of that fatal day on 4^th June 1968.

Anthony Hopkins (John Casey) and Emilio Estevez (Tim Fallon) Bobby 2006

The movie is punctuated throughout with scenes in the Ambassador Hotel lounge where the retired hotel doorman, John Casey (Anthony Hopkins) and Nelson (Harry Belafonte), two older gentlemen while away their day playing chess, bemoaning growing old and John, proudly recounts the many prominent people he has met at the hotel, including JFK, Truman, and Sinatra.  Anthony Hopkins plays the part of the widowed, retired hotel doorman with dignity proclaiming that his late wife accused him of ‘loving the hotel more than her’.

Angela (Heather Graham) "Bobby" 2006

Paul (William H Macy), the Hotel Manager is married to Miriam (Sharon Stone), the hotel beauty therapist, turned therapist, but he is having an affair with a hotel switchboard operator, Angela (Heather Graham) and the affair ends that morning.  Paul fires the hotel Food and Beverage Manager, Timmons (Christian Slater) that morning because of his refusal to allow Hispanic and Black employees time off to vote, highlighting the racial inequalities of that time and civil rights issues.

Bobby Kennedy’s original campaign footage is interspersed throughout the movie, with exerts from memorable speeches and up-to-date poll results as they come in on that day and we are introduced to the campaign staff based at the hotel. Dwayne (Nick Cannon) is an assistant working on the Kennedy campaign who is in awe of meeting the future President and hopeful of a position within the senate.  Two young campaign staff decide to slope off duty that day and instead of rallying last minute support, they get themselves high on LSD.

William (Elijah Wood) and Diane (Lindsay Lohan) "Bobby" 2006

One of the Weddings due to take place at the Ambassador hotel on that day is between William (Elijah Wood) and Diane (Lindsay Lohan).  Diane visits the beauty parlour where she confesses to Miriam that she is only marrying William so that he will not be posted to the frontline in Vietnam – married men were posted to Germany.  Thousands of young American soldiers were losing their lives in Vietnam at that time. As the movie goes on, Diane genuinely falls in love with William.

Jose, a young Mexican bus boy, has found out that he has to work a double shift in the kitchen, so he’ll be unable to attend the Dodgers game which he bought tickets for. Since he can’t attend, he generously gives the tickets to head chef Edward Robinson (Laurence Fishburne).

Virginia Fallon (Demi Moore) and her husband Tim Fallon (Emilio Estevez) are staying at the hotel. Virginia is a precocious lounge singer with a drink problem. June 4th is to be her last night of performing at the Ambassador, and she’s supposed to introduce Robert F. Kennedy, which her long-suffering husband reminds her of, as he carefully removes another bottle of whisky from her bedside.

Robert F Kennedy The Ambassador Hotel ballroom June 5th 1968

As the day draws to an end, these lives will forever be changed once Robert Kennedy makes his appearance at the hotel. However, an uninvited guest arrives at the hotel immediately before Kennedy and the tension builds. His name: Sirhan Sirhan (David Kobyantsev).  In the early hours of the next day, as the guests are gathered in the main hotel ballroom, Kennedy is whisked away through the kitchen after giving his California victory speech, but, hiding among the well-wishers is Sirhan, who fires several shots at Kennedy. Many in the crowd were hit, including William and Timmons, but Kennedy was mortally wounded. He died at Good Samaritan hospital on June 6, 1968.

Paul (William H Macy) and Miriam (Sharon Stone)

All the famous actors in the movie Bobby played their parts well, as small cogs in a large wheel in this historical movie that ends with an anthem of hope sung by Aretha Franklin and Mary J Blige, “Never gonna break my faith”.

The Ambassador Hotel closed in 2005 and before it was raised to the ground, exterior shots were obtained for this movie.  The contents of the hotel were put up for auction, many items being bought by the producers for Bobby to reconstruct the interior of the Ambassador Hotel for the movie.

The Ambassador Hotel Los Angeles

Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy was gunned down on June 5th, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. In a new book, two forensic scientists say an audiotape proves the convicted killer, Sirhan Sirhan, was not the lone shooter.

In their new book, “An Open and Shut Case,” Robert Joling and Philip Van Praag say that after analyzing audio recordings of the assassination they concluded that at least 13 shots were fired. But the handgun Sirhan used only had the capacity to fire eight shots.

The critical piece of evidence, they say, is an audiotape recorded by a journalist who was travelling with Kennedy.

“What we would basically like to see at this point, is a new investigation certainly based on new facts that we have come up with, take a fresh look at this case and to bring the authorities in,” Van Praag said.

Watch Bobby now with video on demand or buy the dvd – see below for options – why not connect your laptop to your TV and watch now or later.  Great value for money!

Bobby (2006) Movie Review is a post from: Sir Anthony Hopkins, the actor

The City of Your Final Destination- Anthony Hopkins as Adam

Anthony Hopkins has enjoyed a long association with Merchant Ivory films (James Ivory and Ismail Merchant), with lavish sets and budgets to match with such Anthony Hopkins movies as “The Remains of The Day”, “Howard’s End” and “Surviving Picasso”.  This relationship is now perpetuated by James Ivory alone, following the sudden death of Ismail Merchant in 2005, with Anthony Hopkins starring in his new movie “The City of Your Final Destination”, which has finally just been released, following cash-flow problems along the way and subsequent distribution problems since the movie was actually finished 3 years ago.  This is the first movie James Ivory has made since the death of his partner.

“The City of Your Final Destination” is adapted from a novel by Peter Cameron of the same name, written in 2002. Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, James Ivory’s longtime creative partner is again onboard adapting the script.  The consistent ability that Merchant Ivory productions have is to set the mood and tone of a film from the outset, thereby drawing the viewer into the story with visual mastery and engaging story telling – this movie has all the usual hallmarks of Merchant Ivory films, superb acting, stylish sets, lush photography and a languid pace which holds the viewers attention throughout this movie as the story unfolds and the actors skillfully develop their characters. The sumptuous photography is courtesy of the ever so fine Javier Aguirresarobe, with editing by John David Allen. The film’s musical score is composed and arranged by Jorge Drexler.

The movie is set in Uruguay, South America but shot mostly outside Buenos Aires, Argentina, where the celebrated author Jules Gund who wrote a book about his parents, then mysteriously committed suicide midway through writing a second work.  There is speculation as to what drove the author to shoot himself.

Actor Omar Metwally plays the part of the young Midwest college professor, Iranian born Omar Razaghi whose financial assistance depends on a biography he intends to write on the late Latin American author Jules Gund, however he needs to get consent from the executors of his estate which is proving troublesome. The family of the late author are the executors, Jules’ aged, gay brother Adam, Jules’ widow and his mistress who all live under one roof together on the vast, remote estate in Uruguay belonging to the late author. Alexandra Maria Lara plays Dierdre, Omar’s controlling girlfriend who orchestrates every move Omar makes, persuading him to go to Uruguay to reason with the family for their consent to the biography.

The City of Your Final Destination - Laura Linney as Caroline

For the first time Anthony Hopkins plays a gay man, Adam, the brother of the deceased author, a seemingly relaxed individual who lives with his Japanese longterm partner Pete (Hiroyuki Sanada) who was only 15 when their 25 yr relationship started.  Gund’s widow Caroline (Laura Linney) is a stiff-lipped, uptight, constantly scowling, long suffering woman who has endured the presence of her late husband’s mistress, Arden (Charlotte Gainsbourg) living openly in their marital home since Jules brought her back with him from a trip to Italy many years before.

“The City of Your Final Destination” is a story about an outsider, Omar trying to gain acceptance in a very small, tight-knit dysfunctional family where at first Omar appears to be the only person with any semblance of sanity. Omar Metwally plays the young man convincingly, giving a fresh performance of a likeable smiling character on the surface with a hidden depth which is later revealed as he gradually becomes the character caught in the middle of an intruiging web of events over-taking him and outwith his control.

When he arrives, alone, at the late author’s estancia in Uruguay, he is invited by Arden, the late author’s mistress to stay at the house and there is at once a certain attraction between the two which begins to further complicate the situation. Widow Caroline opposes the book in no uncertain terms, brother Adam seems open to it, while Gund’s mistress Arden can see no further than her attraction for Omar.

The City of Your Final Destination 2010 - Anthony Hopkins as Adam and Pete, his lover

The film progresses digging deep into the damaged personalties and strange lives of these diverse characters who still choose to live closely together in this beautiful cut-off part of the world where no one else seems to venture and the pace of life is slow and mellow.  Meanwhile as talks slowly progress between Omar and the family, emotions start to run high as Omar delves deeper, uncovering family secrets and Deidre, his domineering girlfriend arrives to see how Omar is faring which brings more problems to the entertaining plot, which is peppered with caustic wit from Caroline, the late author’s widow who appears to gain any remaining strength from a bottle, the recurring question of loneliness and some near-death experiences, as well as being a classic romantic love story.

“The City of Your Final Destination” is intelligent, polished, sensitive and sensual with the usual Merchant Ivory subtle nuances and crescendo, with first class performances by Omar, Hopkins, Gainsbourg and Lara.  Anthony Hopkins’ performance is charming and appears effortless. Great support acting was provided by Norma Aleandro as Mrs Van Euwen, hungry for male attention and from Adam’s capable, loving partner Hiroyuki Sanada, as Pete.  There is dark humour in parts and the love match between the beautiful Arden and Omar is credible and sensitively portrayed.

Click here to buy “The City of Your Final Destination” DVD.  Other Anthony Hopkins movies with James Ivory include “The Remains of The Day”.

The City of Your Final Destination (2010) Movie Review is a post from: Sir Anthony Hopkins, the actor

Read all about the Rolling Ball Sculptures in the Anthony Hopkins movie “Fracture” 2007, see Youtube videos of spectacular rolling ball machines and hear more about their meaning in the movie.

"Fracture" 2007 Anthony Hopkins as Ted Crawford with a rolling ball sculpture

May 11th 2010

Another Villain Role for Anthony Hopkins ?

Anthony Hopkins 2010

It was reported yesterday that Sir Anthony Hopkins is in final talks about a role in the new 3D film “Arabian Nights” which is due to commence shooting in early autumn this year. The villain will be an evil sorcerer “Pharotu” in this new action adventure film full of magic, Kings and Queens, genies with lamps and damsels in distress!

May 10th 2010

Former alcoholic, Clancy Imislund speaks about how he rescued Anthony Hopkins from the demon drink

Anthony Hopkins drink problems started in the late 60’s when his acting career was just taking off on the screen – he found it hard to cope with being in the limelight.  Hopkins once said, referring to his alcoholic period “I was really sort of on a prolonged acid trip.  I saw things and had peculiar quasi-religious experiences.  I thought I was John The Baptist, and I would talk to the sea at Malibu and the sea would talk back to me.  It was weird”.  Hopkins finally quit drinking in 1975 and then joined Alcoholics Anonymous in the U.S. where he met Clancy Imislund.

“I knew he was an actor but he wasn’t as big then as he is now. I’d just been straight a lot longer than him and decided I’d teach him the little technical things to help you get through the problems of everyday life without wanting to take a swig of the strong stuff,” the Daily Express quoted Clancy, 83, as saying.

Clancy helps the homeless conquer their addictions, being MD of the Midnight Mission charity in Los Angeles.  Anthony Hopkins has been an active volunteer for some 8 years, helping others as part of his own recovery process, after Clancy urged him to give back to society.  Anthony Hopkins participates by giving acting lessons, fronting events and campaigns for the homeless charity.  The Midnight Mission announced last week that Sir Anthony Hopkins is to be honoured for his service to the charity who were there for him in his hour of need.

Hopkins says, “I could have been homeless.”

Anthony Hopkins News is a post from: Sir Anthony Hopkins, the actor

We have compiled the most comprehensive, up-to-date Anthony Hopkins movies list, a complete filmography including Anthony Hopkins movies, TV films, dramas, series and epics, and even documentaries.  We have listed all known new movies which are in various stages of development.  Included are movies that Sir Anthony Hopkins has produced or directed and those in which he was the narrator or composer of music scores.

You can buy Anthony Hopkins dvds – simply click the DVD or book picture or enter our store and search by title and all formats whether DVD, Blu-ray or HD are available. You will be given the option of currency for users in different countries – US and UK store available.  Ordering is safe and secure from our unique Anthony Hopkins movies store in association with Amazon.  If there is any title that you cannot find, please contact us and we shall do our best to obtain it for you.

The City of your Final Destination, The Wolfman, Bobby, Red Dragon

‘Thor’ 2011 – Odin (In development)

‘Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho’ 2010 – Alfred Hitchcock (In development)

‘Lord Owen’s Lady’ 2010 – Lord Owen’s Father (In development)

‘Hemmingway & Fuentes’ 2010 – Papa (In development)

‘The Rite’ 2010 – Father Thomas (In development)

‘The Song of Names’ 2010 – (In development)

‘Harry and The Butler’ 2010 – (In development)

‘You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger’ 2010 –  Alfie (In development)

‘The City of Your Final Destination’ 2010 – Adam (writer: “Venetian Medley”) (performer: “Venetian Medley”)

‘The Wolfman’ 2010 – Sir John Talbot

‘Bare Knuckles’ 2009 – Xavier Jonas

‘Where I stand: The Hank Greenspun Story’ 2008 – (voice) Hank Greenspun

‘Immutable Dream of Snow Lion’ 2008 –

‘Beowulf The Game’ 2007 – (VG) (voice) King Hrothgar

‘Beowulf’ 2007 – King Hrothgar

‘Slipstream’ 2007 – Bonhoeffer and director (instrumental soloist: piano)

‘Shortcut to Happiness’ 2007 – Daniel Webster (aka ‘The Devil and Daniel Webster’ 2004)

‘Fracture’ 2007 – Ted Crawford

‘Dylan Thomas – The Return Journey’ – director (documentary)

‘Bobby’ 2006 – John Casey and executive producer

‘All the Kings Men’ 2006 – Judge Irwin

‘The World’s Fastest Indian’ 2006 – Burt Munro

‘Proof’ 2005 – Robert

‘Alexander’ 2004 – Old Ptolemy

‘Freedom: a History of US 2003 – (5 episodes TV, ‘A Fatal Contradiction’ – Robert Walsh, ‘Independence’ – George Washington, ‘Liberty For All’ – John Winthrop, ‘Revolution’ – George Washington, ‘Wake Up America’ – William Radcliffe)

‘The Human Stain’ 2003 – Dr Coleman Silk

‘Bad Company’ 2002 – Officer Gaylord Oakes

‘Red Dragon’ 2002 – Dr Hannibal Lecter

‘Christus Apollo’ 2002 – narrator

‘Hannibal’ 2001 – Dr Hannibal Lecter

‘Hearts in Atlantis’ 2001 – Ted Brautigan

‘Mission Impossible II 2000 – Mission Commander Swanbeck

‘Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ 2000 – Narrator

Meet Joe Black, Amistad, Surviving Picasso, Nixon

‘Titus’ 1999 – Titus Andronicus

‘Siegfried & Roy: The Magic Box’ 1999 – Narrator

‘Instinct’ 1999 – Ethan Powell

‘Meet Joe Black’ 1998 – William Parrish

‘The Mask of Zorro’ 1998 – Zorro (Don Diego de la Vega)

‘Amistad’ 1997 – John Quincy Adams

‘The Edge’ 1997 – Charles Morse

‘The Lost Children of Berlin’ 1997 – narrator

‘August’ 1996 – Ieuan Davies and director

‘Surviving Picasso’ 1996 – Pablo Picasso

‘Nixon’ 1995 – Richard M Nixon

‘Lungs for Workers’ 1995 – narrator

‘Shostakovich: Symphony No. 13’, ‘Babi Yar’ 1995 – narrator

‘Ken Burns’ Baseball’ 1994 – narrator

‘Legends of the Fall’ 1994 – Colonel William Ludlow

‘The Road to Wellville’ 1994 – Dr John Harvey Kellogg

‘In The Wild – Lions with Anthony Hopkins 1993’ – (documentary)

‘In the Lion’s Den’ 1993 – narrator

‘Shadowlands’ 1993 – C S Lewis (Jack)

‘The Innocent’ 1993 – Bob Glass (writer: “Piano Étude”) (performer: “Piano Étude”)

‘The Remains of the Day’ 1993 – James Stevens

‘The Trial’ 1993 – The Priest

‘Selected Exits’ 1993 – Gwyn Thomas (TV)

‘Earth and the American Dream’ 1993 – narrator

‘Nature’s Assassins’ 1993 – narrator
‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’ 1992 – Professor Abraham Van Helsing

‘Chaplin’ 1992 – George Hayden

‘To Be The Best’ 1992 – Jack Figg (TV)

‘Spotswood’ 1992 – Errol Wallace

‘Freejack’ 1992 – McCandless

‘Howards End’ 1992 – Henry J Wilcox

‘Under Milk Wood: A Play for Voices’ 1992 – narrator

‘The Year of The Generals’ 1992 – narrator

‘The Silence of the Lambs’ 1991 -  Dr Hannibal Lecter

‘One Mans War’ 1991 – Joel

‘Great Expectations’ 1991 – Abel Magwitch (TV mini-series ‘Chapter One’ 1 episode)

‘Spartacus’ 1991 – this film was originally 1960, in this restoration Hopkins is the voice of Laurence Olivier (deceased)

‘Desperate Hours’ 1990 – Tim Cornell

‘Dylan Thomas: Return Journey’ 1990 – director

Across The Lake, 84 Charing Cross Road, The Bounty, The Bunker

‘Australia: The Last Barrier’ 1989 – narrator

‘A Chorus of Disapproval’ 1989 – Dafydd Ap Llewellyn

‘Heartland’ 1989 – Jack (TV)

‘The Dawning’ 1988 – Cassius/Angus Barrie

‘Across the Lake’ 1988 – Donald Campbell (TV film)

‘The Tenth Man’ 1988 – Jean Louis Chavel

‘The Good Father’ 1987 – Bill Hooper (TV film)

’84 Charing Cross Road’ 1987 – Frank Doel

‘Screen Two’ 1987 – Guy Burgess (TV 1 episode ‘Blunt: The Fourth Man’)

‘Distant Star’/’An Ordinary Man’ 1986 – singer (single released)

‘Mussolini and I’ 1985 – Count Galeazzo Ciano (TV)….

‘Guilty Conscience’ aka ‘Murder Within Me’ 1985 – Arthur Jamison (TV film)

‘Hollywood Wives’ 1985 – Neil Gray (TV mini-series)

‘Six Centuries of Verse’ 1984 – (TV 1 episode, ‘Later Twentieth Century 1934-1984’)

‘Arch of Triumph’ 1984 – Ravic (TV film)

‘The Bounty’ 1984 – Lieutenant William Bligh

‘Strangers and Brothers’ 1984 – Roger Quaife (TV 2 episodes)

‘A Married Man’ 1983 – John Strickland (TV series)

‘BBC Play of The Month’ – (TV 4 episodes, 1970-1982, ‘Little Eyolf’ – Alfred Allmers, ‘Kean’ – Edmund Kean, ‘Uncle Vanya’ – Astrov, ‘The Three Sisters’ – Andrei)

‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ 1982 – Quasimodo (TV episode)

‘The Bunker’ 1981 – Adolph Hitler (TV film)

‘Othello’ 1981 – Othello

‘Peter and Paul’ 1981 – Paul of Tarsus (TV)

‘A Change of Seasons’ 1980 – Adam Evans

‘The Elephant Man’ 1980 – Dr Frederick Treves

Magic, A Bridge Too Far, War & Peace, When Eight Bells Toll

‘Mayflower: The Pilgrims Adventure’ 1979 – Captain Jones (TV)

‘International Velvet’ 1978 – Captain Johny Johnson

‘Magic’ 1978 – Corky Withers

‘A Bridge Too Far’ 1977 – Lieutenant Colonel John Frost

‘Audrey Rose’ 1977 – Elliot Hoover

‘Dark Victory’ 1976 – Dr Michael Grant (TV)

‘The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case’ 1976 – Bruno Richard Hauptmann (TV)

‘Victory at Entebbe’ 1976 – Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin

‘All Creatures Great and Small’ 1975 – Siegfried (TV film)

‘The Ascent of Man’ 1975 – narrator

‘Juggernaut’ (aka ‘Terror on the Britannic’) 1974 – Superintendant John McCleod

‘The Girl from Petrovka’ 1974 – Koysta

‘The Childhood Friend’ 1974 – Alexander Tashkov (TV episode)

‘QB VII 1974 – Dr Adam Kelno (TV mini series)

‘Great Performances’ 1974 – Theo Gunge (TV 1 episode‘The Acarta Promise’)

‘Childhood’ 1974 – Dando (TV 1 episode, ‘Possessions’)

‘A Dolls House’ 1973 – Torvald Helmer

‘Black and Blue’ 1973 – Hi (TV 1 episode, The Middle-of-the-Road Roadshow for All The Family’)

‘War & Peace’ 1972/1973 – Pierre Bezukhov (TV epic drama series17 episodes)

‘The Edwardians’ 1973 – David Lloyd George (TV 1 episode, ‘Lloyd George’)

‘Young Winston’ 1972 – Lloyd George

‘Poet Game’ 1972 – Hugh Sanders (TV)

‘The Man Outside’ 1972 – Albert Watts (TV 1 episode ‘Cuculus Canorus’)

‘When Eight Bells Toll’ 1971 – Philip Calvert

‘The Ten Commandments’ 1971 – Steve (TV 1 episode, ‘Decision to Burn’)

‘The Looking Glass War’ 1970 – John Avery

‘The Great Inimitable Mr Dickens’ 1970 – Charles Dickens (TV)

‘Danton’ 1970 – Danton

‘Hearts and Flowers’ 1970 – Bob

‘Biography’ 1970 – Danton (TV 1 episode ‘Danton’)

‘Department S’ 1970 – Greg Halliday (TV 1 episode ‘A Small War of Nerves’)

Hamlet, The Lion In Winter, Anthony Hopkins - 1967, The White Bus

‘ITV Saturday Night Theatre’ 1969 – Arnold (TV 1 episode ‘A Walk Through the Forest’)

‘Hamlet’ 1969 – Claudius

‘The Company of Five’ 1968 – Richard Mason (TV 1 episode ‘This isn’t just One of Those Physical Things’))

‘The Lion in Winter’ 1968 – Prince Richard

‘The White Bus’ 1967 – Brechtian

‘A Flea in her Ear’ 1967 – Etienne Plucheux (TV film)

‘The Man in Room 17’ 1965 – Dr. Harding (1 episode, ‘A Minor Operation’ (TV episode)

‘Billy Budd’ 1962 – music score composer

‘Decameron Nights’ 1953 – music score composer

Anthony Hopkins Movies List is a post from: Sir Anthony Hopkins, the actor

Sir Anthony Hopkins

Anthony Hopkins, one of Britain’s finest Oscar-winning (‘The Silence of the Lambs’ 1991) actors is back with a suitably horrific turn in ‘The Wolfman’. But how did he go from a ‘useless, village idiot’ youth to the biggest roles in Hollywood? He gave Live this eloquent insight into his extraordinary journey – and a tantalising glimpse of his new autobiography.

‘I was called Dumbo, like the elephant, as a child because I couldn’t understand things at school,’ said Sir Anthony Hopkins, starting to recount his life story.

Anthony Hopkins has a fine, sunny bearing about him. He dresses sunnily – cream linen suit, lilac pocket handkerchief, yellow Converse shoes, striped socks – and lives sunnily, too: being by the white sands of Malibu beach, where he has his home with his third wife, agrees with him. Here to publicise his new film, a taut and gripping update of the horror classic ‘The Wolfman’, he looks up from his breakfast and announces he is happy.

February 2008 Anthony Hopkins and his wife Stella arrive for the Baftas

‘I don’t need to prove myself any more. It’s different now because I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks.’

Aside from the film he has also begun work on his long-awaited memoirs.

‘I’ve written 50 pages so far. It’s a humorous look at all my ineptness and woeful incompetence in everything I did as a young man, how I couldn’t cope and so became an actor.’ And indeed it is; what happens over the course of our meeting is his recitation of chunks of his memories, all freshly mined.

‘I was a horrible human being when I was young, I didn’t like myself. When you’re young and famous, you’re kind of nasty.’

The autobiographical recollections are hilariously painful, entirely without self-pity, and make sense of his bright mood – look at him now, and look at where he once was.

There’s the early ‘Dumbo’ years in Port Talbot (also Richard Burton’s home town), his lonely childhood, the brutality he encountered at school, his uselessness at work, in the Army and (he insists) on the stage. It’s like an exploration of the actor’s own dark side – the roots of those iconic, powerful and complex characters like Hannibal Lector and Sir John Talbot in ‘The Wolfman’ but Anthony Hopkins argues ‘it was all magic, pure gold.’ He says it was the making of him as a man and an actor, calling his childhood ‘fantastic’. ‘It’s not “poor me” at all,’ he urges. ‘It was all good stuff.”

Then he begins his narrative in an oddly matter-of-fact, almost cheerful voice.

‘I wasn’t popular as a child. I never played with any of the other kids, and I didn’t have any friends. I wanted to be left alone all through my school years. I’ve felt like an outsider all my life. It comes from my mother, who always felt like an outsider in my father’s family. She was a powerful woman and she motivated my father.

‘After the war she said to him: “You’ve got to buy a shop and you’ve got to buy a phone.” But my father’s mother said: “Oh, very grand ideas, haven’t we?” My mother felt rejected and I took that rejection and carried it with me.

‘I was called Dumbo, like the elephant, as a child because I couldn’t understand things at school,’ he says. ‘My grandfather, my father’s father, told my mother, “Tony’s got a big head, pity there’s nothing in it, unlike Bobby” – my cousin – “who is brilliant.” My mum hated him for saying that. She never forgave him.    Anthony Hopkins aged 14 Cowbridge Grammar School

”The teachers would slap me about the head. But that was all part and parcel of school at the time. I was hauled before the headmaster, who said there was something wrong with me. My teacher twisted my ear till it broke and said, “You are only fit to grease your father’s bread tins,” because I didn’t understand arithmetic.

‘I told my father and he took me to see this teacher and said, “If you bloody hit my son again, if you lay a finger on my boy, I’ll pulverise you, I’ll swing for you.” My father was a pretty hot-tempered guy, but I’d never heard him swear before. He said to me after that, “You’ve got to toughen up. Never walk away from a fight. Learn to stand up for yourself.” He bought me some weights and chest-expanders. I built up barrelchested muscles and I was never bullied again.

‘I loved all that. You either get over it or you don’t – it’s like those people who go, “Oh I was molested.” You can either gripe about it or you can turn it into a tremendous victory or triumph.’

‘People who feel they are entitled to something make me angry, too. Beware the tyranny of the weak. They just suck you dry. They’re always complaining. I go, “How are you doing?” They say “Ahh…” and they moan and try to take from you. I know a number of people like that, but I can’t waste my time on them.’

Encouraged by his father, Anthony Hopkins began his own education at home.

‘I remember the day it started, one Tuesday when I was a little boy. I had been to the dentist to have a tooth out, and in those days they yanked teeth out. The dentist gave me gas and when I got back to the house I was lying in bed feeling nauseous – I woke up and there was a knock at the door downstairs; my mother answered it and came upstairs to my room with a big cardboard box full of children’s encyclopedias. My father had bought them because he had given up on me ever learning anything in school. I was still groggy but I remember opening these books and the sepia photographs and the smell of the paper.

‘There were chapters called Earth And Its Neighbours and The Planetary Systems and chapters about geological time-zones. I couldn’t add two and two together but I knew the height of the Empire State Building and I knew the distance from the Earth to the Moon. I started learning about the lives of the great composers and the lives of the great artists and the poets.

‘I taught myself general knowledge, stuff that the other kids didn’t know. I was reading ‘Trotsky’s History Of The Russian Revolution’ at Cowbridge Grammar School when I was 14. I remember someone saying: “You’re a commie, are you?” I didn’t know what they were talking about. The book was taken away from me. Then some kids called me “Bolshie” and I went completely into myself. I did feel lonely, but I look back on it all as a tremendous gift.

‘My father’s father used to take cold baths, and he was a vegetarian, a non-drinker and a non-smoker. He used to box and he would spar with me. He was a baker like my father, but he was a remarkable, self-educated man, pugilistic. I was brought up in a tough household.

‘I wasn’t close to my dad’s father but I really respected and admired him because he fought all his life. He was a rabid Marxist. He used to say, “One day we’ll see the red flag flying over Buckingham Palace.” He was there with the firebrands of revolution and my father was brought up like that. Then after the war he became disillusioned and just said, “Look after number one.”‘

For the young Anthony Hopkins, feelings of inadequacy continued throughout his teens. ‘I felt like the village idiot because I couldn’t do anything right. I worked at the Steel Company Of Wales when I was 17. My job was to supply tools to the guys working the blast furnaces. I would look at the chits and I’d always choose the wrong thing, and the foreman would say to me, “What the hell is the matter with you? Can’t you do anything right?” He’d say, “Go and make me a cup of tea.” Then, “No, don’t even do that because you’ll blow us all up.”

‘I knew I wasn’t stupid. I was very bright, very clever, but it took me many years to believe that.’

Fear of failure haunted him for years.

‘I didn’t know what time of day it was when I was in the Army. I was trained as a clerk at Woolwich Clerical School – my marks were bad, but for some reason I was chosen to work in the central office. So there I was, sitting in the nerve centre of the battalion, but I couldn’t type, couldn’t do anything. Staff Sergeant Ernie Little said to me, ‘I’ve been watching you – how and why did I give you this job?” I said, “I don’t know.” So he said, “Get out – go and make me a cup of tea and get some cigarettes.” Then he said, “When do you go on leave?” I said, “Two weeks.” And he said, “Thank God for that!” ‘But I seemed to land on my feet all the time. I came out of the Army in 1960 and thought, now what do I do? I joined a small theatre company, but I was fired from that because I had no discipline. So I went to Rada, did two years there, came out in 1963 and started in regional repertory theatre. It took me many more years to learn about discipline.’

Among Hopkins’s many theatre productions were several with Laurence Olivier at the National Theatre, but he claims he never enjoyed the work.

‘There was nothing wrong with theatre, it was OK,’ he says. ‘Olivier was electrifying, and I admired (John) Gielgud and (Ralph) Richardson and (Paul) Scofield, but I didn’t have their tenacity. I got bored very quickly.

‘The most reckless thing I did was walk out of ‘Macbeth’ mid-run at the National Theatre in 1973. People were furious with me, but it was the best thing I could have done for myself. I decided that I wasn’t cut out for the theatre at all. I wasn’t good at Shakespeare and I didn’t fit in. I felt greasy and dirty.

young Anthony

‘People said, “You can’t leave the theatre,” but I wanted a different life. The stage is boring. I look at my contemporaries like Judi Dench and they are much more skilled than me. Judi said the best part about doing a play is getting the phone call from the director – “They want me, this is it! This is it!”

‘But then the reviews come out and you think, “God, I’ve got another nine weeks of this with the same routine: Can I have my keys to the dressing room? “Yes.” Any mail? “No.” And you go on stage and there’s traffic outside and then cheery dressers come in saying, “Cup of tea?”… How about a nice open razor?‘

The tedium he experienced touring Britain in repertory theatre and living in seedy lodgings was compounded by an addiction to alcohol. And while his contemporaries like Michael Caine and Terence Stamp were revelling in wild parties, mixing with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, Anthony Hopkins found the entire decade depressing.

‘I hated the Sixties,’ he shouts. ‘It was one long wet Wednesday afternoon in the Waterloo Road. For most of it I was drinking myself into oblivion. I was living in an awful bedsit on the Edgeware Road, then another in Tufnell Park and another God knows where – Finchley?

‘I remember grey miserable nights. I was in a coma for most of it, so I missed the whole decade, including the Beatles, completely. I would drink about eight pints a night – I remember being in Liverpool on those drizzly evenings in the pub, getting the last drop in. I drank a lot, but I wouldn’t have missed it. I look back on it as sort of dreary enjoyment, because I don’t have to be there any more. Most of the people were miserable and they’re all dead and gone now. They were nasty and vicious, I never got close to any of them.’

Anthony Hopkins made his film debut in ‘The Lion In Winter’ with Katharine Hepburn and Peter O’Toole 40 years ago, turning his back on the theatre altogether. Is it true that Olivier told him not to go into movies?

‘Yeah,’ he laughs, ‘and in the end that’s all he wanted to do: make movies.’

Happier by far on film sets, Hopkins split from his first wife, Petronella Barker, in 1972 (their daughter Abigail is now 41) and married his second wife, Jenni Lynton, the following year, but the drinking continued.

‘I would show up on movie sets after drinking and not sleeping. I made a terrible film called ‘The Looking Glass War’ in 1968. I had a scene with Ralph Richardson in the back of a car that I don’t even remember doing because I was so drunk. I caught the film on TV recently – I got the lines right but they sounded a bit muzzy.

‘I did the series of ‘War And Peace’ in Yugoslavia in 1972 and we all got smashed the whole time drinking Vignac, which is a coarse brandy. It was a lot of fun getting smashed and smoking cigarettes on location. I loved smoking more than drinking. But I enjoyed the combination of both.

‘I had some bizarre nights with Peter when we made ‘The Lion In Winter’, but to be honest I don’t remember them. He enjoyed his drink – and I did, too. We weren’t close friends or anything but we got drunk very quickly and there was always amusement and laughter. I love drunks; they are terrific – except when they throw up on you.

‘I was a horrible human being when I was young, I didn’t like myself. When you’re young and famous, you’re kind of nasty. You’re arrogant, you want this, you want that and there’s a sense of expectation and entitlement. I was a general pain to everyone.

‘Over the years I worked with a couple of younger actors who reminded me of myself. I like bad boys. I worked with Russell Crowe in Australia before he became a star. Russell is a bad boy. I think he is terrific. Richard Burton was a bad boy, but he shook the rafters of the world. I think it is good to be bad – I was bad all my life. I still am.

‘What made me stop drinking was not remembering where I’d been the night before,’ says Anthony Hopkins, who has been sober for 34 years.

‘One day I just thought, “I’ve had enough of this”. It was simple. I didn’t want to go on feeling bad. I don’t miss drinking, not at all. I don’t want to ever go back there. Now I just love English tea and digestive biscuits or Hobnobs.’

He enjoys visiting England and Wales and admits to a nostalgic fondness for his roots.

‘I don’t wear dark glasses or any disguise when I go back to London. Taxi drivers go: “Hey Tony, I saw you on TV last night.” I like it when you get into a cab and the driver says: “How you doing? It’s nice to see you back.” I love all that.’

But America, for Anthony Hopkins, is home. Part of the appeal has always been the vast expanse of land, the open road.

‘I get into the car and just drive,’ he says. ‘I always stay in motels – I love American breakfasts, all the bad stuff‑, full of cholesterol. For me, that’s the great romance. A Holiday Inn when you’re driving through Wyoming and Montana when it’s cold is wonderful. I usually wear sunglasses and a hat and I sign in and they say, “Aren’t you Hannibal Lecter?” And they’re surprised. I have a couple of photographs taken and we have a coffee together, it’s a lot of fun.

‘I love getting up in the morning, not knowing where I’m going. I just follow the road. I love the smell of coffee shops and calling into strange towns, finding a motel in Boise, Idaho at five o’clock in the evening with long evening shadows coming in. I don’t know what it is. There’s a wonderful solitude in America.’

Hopkins puts his phenomenal career down to luck rather than any intrinsic talent.

The Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins (Best Actor ‘The Silence of the Lambs‘) 1991 states:

Anthony Hopkins 1991 Oscar for Best Actor in 'The Silence of the Lambs'

‘I’m just a fluke – I’ve never really considered myself a great actor at all. I like making independent movies where you don’t have to cart around vast armies of people, for what they call “maintenance”.

‘I think that’s what’s killing the business. Some actors turn up on the set with 15 people and they all have to have trailers. Come on, you’re an actor – what the hell do you need a gym on the set for? They bring trainers and they bring their wives and their babies, their minders, their nannies. The actors are lost in the middle of all this.’

With his sunny disposition, Anthony Hopkins couldn’t be more Californian, despite his 1993 knighthood, which he shrugs off: ‘They come up to me and call me “Sir”,’ he laughs, ‘but I always tell everyone, “Just call me Tony.” It makes people nervous of you, so why live like that? Getting the knighthood was a big deal I suppose, although it makes me feel a little uncomfortable in America, because they get it wrong, they call me “Sir Hopkins”. But Americans love that stuff.’

For relaxation, his preferred hobbies are painting and music.

‘I don’t have any skill as an artist but I love painting,’ he says. ‘I paint in acrylics on photographic paper and with special felt-tip brushes and pens. There’s a gloss and shine. I paint landscapes. I love it, I have a studio at home. People pay a lot of money for my paintings. I don’t know why – they love the colour, I think. I use vivid colour. I don’t know how much they sell for these days. My wife’s in charge of all that.

‘I still find acting enjoyable but there are no challenges left for me. None at all. But the less interested I am, the more they keep offering me roles. It’s nice to just keep going. I think you get to a stage when you just relax and become very “zenned” out.

‘Spencer Tracy once said to Laurence Olivier: “Who do you think you are?” And he was right – if I stopped acting tomorrow, the world would not stop. At the end of the day, it is all unimportant.’

We await release of Anthony Hopkins’ Autobiography with interest.  Watch this page!

You can choose to read reviews from Anthony Hopkins Movies list or buy dvds from our store.

Preview Sir Anthony Hopkins Autobiography – March 2010 a chat with Anthony Hopkins is a post from: Sir Anthony Hopkins, the actor

Watch ‘Beowulf’ Now with video on demand – great value options – why not connect your laptop to your widescreen TV, sit back and enjoy.  Free preview above.

‘Beowulf’ (2007) a movie with Anthony Hopkins is set in Denmark in the year 507 A.D. This epic old English poem and ancient tale of heroism and betrayal is brought entertainingly to life in this screen adaptation which is stunningly animated using computer generated graphics, sword and sandals fantasy adventure movie. A beguiling and thoroughly enjoyable film, with picturesque Icelandic vistas shot by Jan Kiesser and a timeless theme of religious conflict (Christianity versus Nordic paganism) and intolerance.  Originally made in 3D, to best show off the special effects, the movie is a must have DVD for your home cinema, especially the director’s cut version, with special features about the technical creation of the movie, design and filming, which makes interesting viewing.

Starring Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie, Crispin Glover & John Malkovich

Anthony Hopkins (his computer generated image with his rich voice) plays elderly King Hrothgar in ‘Beowulf‘, set in a time of demons and dragons, warriors and temptresses in this Viking land.  King Hrothgar, to the disapproval of his Queen, Wealthow (Robin Wright Penn) celebrates his conquest of other lands and accumulated wealth with drunken cavorting revelry in his new mead hall, where the assembled warriors and wenches make merry with mead, singing and dancing.

However, in a dark cave not far away, lurks the huge, half-demon, half-human grotesque Grendel (Crispin Glover) who is fired into a rage at hearing all these sounds of revelry and launches a horrific violent attack on the mead hall and its’ revelers, killing and maiming many of the brave warriors with his own flesh seemingly impervious to most weapons although sparing the Kings’ life, because of past history between the two, which is later revealed.  After this blood-bath the beast returns to his cavern where his mother, a water demon (Angelina Jolie) comforts him.  This beautiful creature brings some sex appeal to ‘Beowulf‘.

The Water Demon- Grendel's Mother

The next day King Hrothgar (Anthony Hopkins) makes it known publicly that he’s willing to pay a handsome sum to rid his kingdom of Grendel. A hero steps forward proclaiming himself defender of the realm -  Beowulf (Ray Winstone).  Beowulf and his fellow Geats pledge to kill the monster in exchange for gold and a kingdom.

Though at first Grendel seems invincible, Beowulf eventually manages to defeat him in a desperate and bloody battle to the death. Devastated by her son’s violent demise at the hands of Beowulf, Grendel’s mother, a splendidly sexy naked water siren, sets out in search of revenge.  Beowulf is seduced by the promise of riches & power from Grendel’s mother, a scene not to be missed by fans of Angelina Jolie. So long as the gold dragon horn stays with her, Beowulf would be the most powerful & strongest king, thus his driving ambition renders Beowulf helpless, unable to kill her and instead finding himself attracted and mesmerized by her sexual power.

The Temptress

King Hrothgar kills himself probably because he feels the guilt of losing his bastard monster son, Grendel and the demon’s mother too. Beowulf grows old and suddenly the gold dragon horn mysteriously finds its way to him and he regards this as a sign that his reign as the invincible King is over. The sentence, “Sins of the Father” haunts Beowulf and it is likely his bastard demon son that is causing havoc in his kingdom, ready to take over Beowulf’s throne & his Kingdom.

Anthony Hopkins plays King Hrothgar

Later, Beowulf faces the biggest challenge of his life when he attempts to slay a powerful dragon. The most impressive CGI (Computer generated imagery) detail in the ‘Beowulf‘ movie, in my opinion, is the Dragon. In the stupendous battle against the Dragon, Beowulf is almost impaled on a stake. In this ferocious battle against the dragon, who is actually his son, Beowulf even has to sever his own arm in order to kill it. It is obvious that his monster son, the Dragon demon does not intend to kill him because he is intent on trying to kill the Queen, Beowulf’s young lover. It is as though his son expresses his frustrations that his father, Beowulf resents his demon mother and himself.

"I am Beowulf"

The movie is a spell-binder, a fully fledged cinematic assault on the senses, as if an old painting of Norse Gods had sprung to life and begun heaving spears, arrows complete with geysers of blood spurting in all directions and exceptional sound effects.  A celebration of bold, carnivorous manhood married with up-to-date technical wizardry and punctuated with sly humour and a surprisingly sophisticated sting in its’ tale.

Watch the ‘Beowulf‘ movie trailer below and you can buy the Anthony Hopkins DVD here.

Beowulf (2007) Movie Review is a post from: Sir Anthony Hopkins, the actor

‘The World’s Fastest Indian’ (2006) is one of the movies Anthony Hopkins delighted in making – he said “I’ve done some good films..one of my favourites was working with Roger Donaldson (director) on ‘The World’s Fastest Indian’. That was fun and seems to be quite popular”.

Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah - site of the world land-speed record

It is an inspiring, uplifting film based on the amazing true story of one mans, Burt Munro (Anthony Hopkins) dogged pursuit of his life long dream to break the world land-speed record on a motorcycle. Set in a small town in New Zealand in the 1960s, the movie has a charming old-fashioned feel, almost an innocence which gives little hint of a movie about a speed demon, although slow to start, the film gains momentum right through to its’ triumphant conclusion. Anthony Hopkins plays Burt Munro, who in fact set numerous land-speed records for motorcycles with engines less than 1000 cc in the 1950s and 60s. This is a heartwarming, adventure movie that entertains everyone, especially seasoned Hopkins fans and boys who like motorbikes and speed.  Hopkins portrayal of Munro is a character study in itself, for which Anthony Hopkins is well known for his skill at ‘getting into character’. Munro, a stubborn old coot of a man, with unkempt hair, engine grease under his fingernails and a convincing Kiwi accent – far removed from the elegant, well-spoken Hopkins we associate the actor with in other roles, such as the butler in ‘Remains of The Day’, the wealthy aeronautics engineer in ‘Fracture’ or the dignified doctor in ‘Elephant Man’. Anthony Hopkins performance is well-rounded, embodying the heart and soul of Burt Munro. Beyond the cantankerous old man, Hopkins portrays Burt’s warmth, naivety and direct friendliness for which he is loved in his community as well as being known for having the fastest motorbike in Australia and New Zealand. His neighbours knew him better for his obsession with revving his motorcycle in the early hours of the morning and his unkempt grass.
The movie is not just about the final destination but also the journey along the way. Burt Munro befriends the young lad next door and lets him help with customising the old 1920s Indian motorcycle with which Munro hopes to ride in Bonneville in Utah to compete for the world land-speed record. After many years of tinkering with the bike, each time making it go faster, by modification after modification, Burt finally decides, after a health scare with his old ticker to go to Bonneville and follow his dream. With his irrepressible Kiwi spirit he raises some money by mortgaging his home, builds a trailer for the bike and sets sail for America on a shoe string budget, waiving goodbye to his community with good wishes from all, including a financial donation from the local bikers who are rooting for him.

Burt's 1920s Indian Motorcycle

The journey to Utah is peppered with humour, as Burt Munro from Invercargill, New Zealand makes his journey with his Indian motorcycle on its’ rickety home-made trailer, through big cities in America to the rough, open terrain of Utah, the home of the American Indian. Munro meets various characters along the way, Tina (Chris Williams) a transvestite motel receptionist who is so endeared by Burt’s charm and friendliness, Fernando – a used car salesman (Paul Rodriguez), Ada (Diane Ladd) an ageing widow who becomes his lover, a native Indian and an Air Force pilot on leave. All these people help him reach Utah when all the odds seem against that happening as Burt comes up against all sorts of hurdles. The characters in the support roles keep the movie fresh and inject some funny moments into this film that Anthony Hopkins loved making.
The location filming of ‘The World’s Fastest Indian’ at the Salt Flats, Bonneville is superb and the speed racing shots are stunning. However, Burt is there but there are yet more obstacles for him to overcome. The judges are not impressed that Munro has not even registered himself to compete and even less impressed with his creaking, spluttering old motorcycle with makeshift bald tyres and no brakes. The judges have health and safety issues with Munro’s attire – lack of protection against fire, the bureaucracy is endless and there is considerable doubt as to whether he will be allowed to enter the competition. But Burt Munro wouldn’t take no for an answer and through his charm and engaging friendliness with the other competitors; Burt wins everyone over and is allowed to qualify for entry. Throughout this part of the film you can feel yourself rooting for Burt Munro and his dream – it’s one of those salt of the earth stories, made even more poignant as it is based on a real life story and legend.

Anthony Hopkins as Burt Munro with the Indian Bike

The finale is triumphant, reaching over 200 mph on his old Indian motorcycle, despite severe burns to his leg from the exhaust. Yet his goal has been achieved of setting the world land-speed record.
It’s never too late for the ride of your life! A real feel-good movie, with brilliant acting and directing. Roger Donaldson wrote and directed ‘The World’s Fastest Indian‘ movie, having worked on it for over 20 years before filming started on the movie and had previously directed a short television documentary about Munro called ‘Burt Munro: Offerings to the God of Speed’ in 1971. Many of the props used for filming were actually owned by Munro, including all the exploded pistons and the piston mould that Anthony Hopkins uses for a scene in the film.
Enjoy the ride!

'The World's Fastest Indian' over 200 mph !

One of the best books about the true story are ‘Legend of Speed: The Burt Munro Story’, by Tim Hanna and if you want to know more about the legendary Indian motorcycles, an excellent recommended read is ‘Indian Motorcycles’ by noted Indian historian Jerry Hatfield, with more than 125 specially commissioned photographs and 25 black and white historical pictures, which capture the seductive power and grace of the great models—the Scout, Chief, and Four, —and recreate the thrill the Indian generates to this day.

You can buy the DVD ‘The World’s Fastest Indian‘ and books in our store, as well as search for any other Anthony Hopkins movie in our Store.

More about Burt Munro

The World’s Fastest Indian (2006) Movie Review is a post from: Sir Anthony Hopkins, the actor