“I think that reading and performing a movie script is like reading and performing a musical score: “it all depends on the performer”. There’s something else beyond the words and the phrases, beyond the musical notes that only True Artists and real talented ones find and connect with, so they achieve a sensitive performance that touches people’s hearts.
In his performances Colin Morgan, always, goes further and becomes a True Artist. “
“Representing someone else’s life brings a sense of honour and pride, but also a sense of duty. I don’t think Victor could’ve imagined that there would be a book or film featuring him, so I want to portray him accurately. I became very attached to these characters as I began to understand them, even a hundred years apart. Because I connected in such a special way with Victor, I have to fight to achieve a portrayal of him that’s as truthful, honest and honourable as possible.” (Colin Morgan)
No music, no lush background, no make-up, no costuming … here is the raw power of pure talent.
Colin’s reading for Prince Hal, Henry IV, Part I Act III. In this 1.5 minutes we see Colin’s power. Without enhancements, without background music, make-up or costume, he transforms this space.
The Story: Prince Hal is a huge disappointment to his father, the King. The King has reprimanded him. The King launches into a long list of why Hal’s such a degenerate: Hal’s been kicked out of the council and replaced by his little brother, he’s alienated himself from the nobles at court, he’s let down just about everyone who ever had high expectations of him, and they all think he’s on a major downward spiral.
Prince Hal promises to be good. But, the King is not done. He compares Hal to Hotspur and says (in so many words), “Why can’t you be more like Hotspur? He’s the same age as you but he leads older men into battle and mops the floor with his enemies on a regular basis while you’re clowning around in taverns.” Hal stammers at first but then delivers his own lengthy speech. Those who have been bad mouthing him to his dad will rue the day because the prince is going to redeem himself by killing Hotspur at the upcoming battle at Shrewsbury.
This is Prince Hal’s speech. The emotion welling up in his eyes reflects sorrow, anger, and determination … to be seen, once again, a worthy son.
A Translation: PRINCE HENRY (Hal)
Do not think it so; you shall not find it so: And God forgive them that have so much sway’d Your majesty’s good thoughts away from me!
I will redeem all this on Percy’s head. And in the closing of some glorious day Be bold to tell you that I am your son; When I will wear a garment all of blood And stain my favours in a bloody mask, Which, wash’d away, shall scour my shame with it: On that same day, whene’er it lights, This same child of honour and renown, This gallant Hotspur, this all-praised knight, And your unthought-of Harry chance to meet. For every honour sitting on his helm, Would they were multitudes, and on my head My shames redoubled! for the time will come, That I shall make this northern youth exchange His glorious deeds for my indignities.
Percy is but my factor, good my lord, To engross up glorious deeds on my behalf; For I shall call him to so strict account, That he shall render every glory up, Yea, even the smallest worship of his time, Or I will tear the reckoning from his heart. The which, if He be pleased I shall perform, I do beseech your majesty may salve The long-grown wounds of my intemperature:
If not, the end of life cancels all bands; And I shall die a hundred thousand deaths , Ere break the smallest parcel of this vow.
(May 2011)
The Desir brings us to a scene outside the sacred cave, a poignant interlude between Merlin and Arthur … a scene etched in our memory … as is the face of Merlin struggling with the words he feels he must say to Arthur, so contrary to what his heart earnestly desires. (A selfless act, done with loving intent, that even so could not alter Arthur’s fate.) This beautiful piece of artwork wordlessly tells the story of Merlin’s heart-break … lovingly designed to capture the sadness, the loneliness, the resolve to do the difficult thing even knowing the personal cost.
With Arthur and Merlin encamped outside the cave, and dawn a few hours away, the conversation between these men becomes critical. We see Merlin’s connection to the sacred elements of the earth. We see the distance between them : the spiritual and the mortal … the seer and the warrior … two sides of the same coin. The seer embodies wisdom and sacrifice… the warrior has the elements of loyalty, and strength. Can any man have both? The earth is alive for Merlin. (“Everything here, so full of life, every tree, every leaf, every insect. It’s as if the world is vibrating … as if everything is much more than itself.”) For Arthur, the earth is merely the ground upon which man’s wishes for building and conquering can be accomplished.
What follows is Merlin’s terrible struggle … the anguish of a man whose advice may sway the king, yet take away the chance he has hoped for all his life. And we can see every inflection, every nuance of these tormented moments on Merlin’s face, in his distress, in the tears welling up in his eyes. Yet, even so, he does what he believes is the right thing … he sacrifices his desires for the perceived good of all … to continue to protect Arthur … to hope that Albion’s future will still bring about freedom for him and for his kin.
Colin’s mastery of this kind of internal dilemma is more evident here than in any other episode during the entire Merlin series. It leaves us with an aching heart, for Merlin, for the heavy burden he alone must carry.
Perhaps I should not have said, “it’s not his looks that hold me captive” … because it is Colin’s face where the reflection of his emotion resides. It resides there in such a way that we cannot help but be drawn to it and find ourselves mirroring the same emotions, living the same reactions, helpless to divorce ourselves from his struggles or sorrow. This essence of his that is so hard to describe.
Another clip from the Swedish series, “Real Humans”, which gives a small glimpse into the back story of the relationship between Mimi and Leo. We cannot guess if this is the treatment in store for the UK.US version; however, it is tempting to speculate while we wait.
Happy St.Patrick’s Day from ‘The Rising’. 1 year countdown to the film’s release starts today. @1916movie @Maccana
In the next few months we should be hearing more. Watch for news about this film, from finalizing casting to starting production.
Proposed Schedule … Pre-Production: July to September 2015
Production: October/November 2015
Post-Production: December 2015 – February 2016
St.Patrick’s Day 2016: Premiere screenings across the world, followed by cinema distribution.
17Sept2015 … Casting Call coming soon. (See post dated 17Sept for more information.)
Everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. And, why is that, we wonder? Isn’t there something incredibly infectious about the Irish Spirit that speaks to us all? It may have been romanticized, but it comes from somewhere… it’s the music, the laughter, the amazing step dances, the sense of fun and camaraderie, the willingness to laugh at oneself in even embarrassing moments.
We have our own favorite irrepressible Irish Spirit … with laughing eyes and a smile that can brighten anyone’s day without a word being spoken.
So, we say …
In the lilt of Irish laughter, You can hear the angels sing.
And when Irish eyes are smiling, Sure, they’ll steal your heart away.
Though written by an American, the words of this ballad still speak to me of the charm we find so appealing in the Irish mystique. And so, from me to you, an Irish Blessing on this St. Patrick’s Day.
,
Sir Terry Pratchett was knighted by the Queen for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. A prolific writer and possessor of a quirky and satirical sense of humor, his books are a delight, leading the reader through outbursts of laughter and unusual observations about our world. Always with a light and gentle touch, his satire and tolerance of human foibles is a lesson to us all.
When asked, in December 2006, about his habit of permanently wearing a black hat, he replied: “I do take it off sometimes because how else is a man to shower?”
We will miss you, Sir Terry. We thank you for leaving behind the legacy of your humor and delightful imagination.
(x)
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