RIP Sir Ian Holm - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

William Cloud Hicklin · 06-19-2020, 07:10 AM

Ian Holm, Bilbo Baggins (as well as Ash, Sam Mussabini, Lear and a plethora of others) has died of complications from Parkinson's Disease. He was 88.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/202...-bilbo-baggins

Huinesoron · 06-19-2020, 07:50 AM

Guided by the Lonely Star
Beyond the utmost harbour bar
I'll find the havens fair and free
And beaches of the Starlight Sea.
Ship, my ship!
I seek the West
And fields and mountains ever blest.
Farewell to Middle-earth at last;
I see the Star above your mast...

-'Bilbo's Last Song', J.R.R. Tolkien

hS

Inziladun · 06-19-2020, 08:11 AM

I haven't been as appreciative as Sir Ian deserved for his work in the live action Tolkien treatments, due to my general disdain for them, but he was a tremendously talented actor.
"Ash" in Alien, and Napoleon Bonaparte in Time Bandits are my favorite roles.

Farewell, Sir.

Boromir88 · 06-19-2020, 08:38 AM

The first role I saw him in was as Mr. Kurtzmann in Brazil. A movie inspired by George Orwell’s 1984. If anyone hasn’t watched it yet, I highly recommend it.

He was one of the best parts about FOTR and, in my opinion, brought Bilbo to life. Rest In Peace.

Zigûr · 06-19-2020, 08:44 AM

I relistened to the 1981 BBC radio adaptation of The Lord of the Rings a few weeks ago and his performance as Frodo was just as good as I remembered.

William Cloud Hicklin · 06-19-2020, 10:23 AM

My favorite role of his, I think, was as Sam Mussabini in Chariots of Fire. That one earned him a BAFTA and an Oscar nomination

Morthoron · 06-19-2020, 11:44 AM

Lord of the Rings, Alien, The Madness of King George III, Time Bandits, The Fifth Element, Chariots of Fire, Brazil....such a wide range of roles for a splendid actor.

Mithalwen · 06-19-2020, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inziladun

I haven't been as appreciative as Sir Ian deserved for his work in the live action Tolkien treatments, due to my general disdain for them, but he was a tremendously talented actor.
"Ash" in Alien, and Napoleon Bonaparte in Time Bandits are my favorite roles.

Farewell, Sir.

You should listen to the BBC radio adaptation where he is truly outstanding in a strong cast, as Frodo. It is a shame people think of Bilbo first when, for me at least, his performance as Frodo is definitive. This will give an example - not one I would have picked first but it is a challenge to an actor to play someone who isn’t a trained performer

https://youtu.be/Py1vQqmnXvw

Inziladun · 06-19-2020, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

You should listen to the BBC radio adaptation where he is truly outstanding in a strong cast, as Frodo. It is a shame people think of Bilbo first when, for me at least, his performance as Frodo is definitive. This will give an example - not one I would have picked first but it is a challenge to an actor to play someone who isn’t a trained performer

https://youtu.be/Py1vQqmnXvw

I do need to do that. I've known of the BBC adaptation a long time, but somehow never got around to listening.

Mithalwen · 06-19-2020, 12:36 PM

There is a thread here somewhere, where we had a episode by episode discussion in which Brian Sibley participated and graciously answered questions from unquenchable hobbits.

Faramir Jones · 06-19-2020, 01:06 PM

Thanks for starting this thread, William. His Tolkien-related work, though important, was one part of a great career.

I’m glad that we’re also discussing his other great roles.

TheGreatElvenWarrior · 06-19-2020, 03:58 PM

As soon as I listened to the BBC radio adaption as a teenager, I fell in love with Ian Holm's performance as Frodo. Mith said it was "definitive", and I agree! I was so sad to hear of his passing this afternoon. I've been wanting to listen to the BBC adaption again for a while now, and I think I'll give it another listen to soon.

06-19-2020, 07:10 AM	#1
William Cloud Hicklin Loremaster of Annúminas Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,321	RIP Sir Ian Holm Ian Holm, Bilbo Baggins (as well as Ash, Sam Mussabini, Lear and a plethora of others) has died of complications from Parkinson's Disease. He was 88. https://www.theguardian.com/film/202...-bilbo-baggins __________________ The entire plot of The Lord of the Rings could be said to turn on what Sauron didn’t know, and when he didn’t know it.

06-19-2020, 08:11 AM	#3
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,037	I haven't been as appreciative as Sir Ian deserved for his work in the live action Tolkien treatments, due to my general disdain for them, but he was a tremendously talented actor. "Ash" in Alien, and Napoleon Bonaparte in Time Bandits are my favorite roles. Farewell, Sir. __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God. Last edited by Inziladun; 06-19-2020 at 08:21 AM.

06-19-2020, 08:38 AM	#4
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,518	The first role I saw him in was as Mr. Kurtzmann in Brazil. A movie inspired by George Orwell’s 1984. If anyone hasn’t watched it yet, I highly recommend it. He was one of the best parts about FOTR and, in my opinion, brought Bilbo to life. Rest In Peace. __________________ Fenris Penguin

06-19-2020, 08:44 AM	#5
Zigûr Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 785	I relistened to the 1981 BBC radio adaptation of The Lord of the Rings a few weeks ago and his performance as Frodo was just as good as I remembered. __________________ "Since the evening of that day we have journeyed from the shadow of Tol Brandir." "On foot?" cried Éomer.

06-19-2020, 10:23 AM	#6
William Cloud Hicklin Loremaster of Annúminas Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,321	My favorite role of his, I think, was as Sam Mussabini in Chariots of Fire. That one earned him a BAFTA and an Oscar nomination __________________ The entire plot of The Lord of the Rings could be said to turn on what Sauron didn’t know, and when he didn’t know it.

06-19-2020, 07:50 AM	#2
Huinesoron Overshadowed Eagle Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: The north-west of the Old World, east of the Sea Posts: 3,909	Guided by the Lonely Star Beyond the utmost harbour bar I'll find the havens fair and free And beaches of the Starlight Sea. Ship, my ship! I seek the West And fields and mountains ever blest. Farewell to Middle-earth at last; I see the Star above your mast... -'Bilbo's Last Song', J.R.R. Tolkien hS

06-19-2020, 11:44 AM	#7
Morthoron Curmudgeonly Wordwraith Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ensconced in curmudgeonly pursuits Posts: 2,509	Lord of the Rings, Alien, The Madness of King George III, Time Bandits, The Fifth Element, Chariots of Fire, Brazil....such a wide range of roles for a splendid actor. __________________ And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision.

06-19-2020, 12:36 PM	#10
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,458	There is a thread here somewhere, where we had a episode by episode discussion in which Brian Sibley participated and graciously answered questions from unquenchable hobbits. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

06-19-2020, 01:06 PM	#11
Faramir Jones Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lonely Isle Posts: 706	So passes Sir Ian Holm Thanks for starting this thread, William. His Tolkien-related work, though important, was one part of a great career. I’m glad that we’re also discussing his other great roles.

06-19-2020, 03:58 PM	#12
TheGreatElvenWarrior Mighty Quill Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walking off to look for America Posts: 2,230	As soon as I listened to the BBC radio adaption as a teenager, I fell in love with Ian Holm's performance as Frodo. Mith said it was "definitive", and I agree! I was so sad to hear of his passing this afternoon. I've been wanting to listen to the BBC adaption again for a while now, and I think I'll give it another listen to soon. __________________ The Party Doesn't Start Until You're Dead.