Richard Attenborough: A Tribute to a Truly Charming Man

To continue what has been a miserable year for deaths within the film industry, comes the sad news of the passing of British acting royalty, Richard Attenborough. Departing at 90 years of age, he enjoyed a miraculous, luminous career, where he excelled both in front of the screen and behind it.

Attenborough’s first appearance was in Noel Cowards’ 1942 endeavour In Which We Serve, but his breakthrough role came when he took on the lead in Graham Greene’s Brighton Rock. Fresh-faced, with innocent-looking wide eyes, he was the perfect disguise for the deeply violent, psychopathic character of Pinky, who he played with a chilling intelligence.

The same attributes came into play when he took on the part of serial killer John Christie in 10 Rillington Place, which was an exceedingly brave role to undertake, given that the tale was only recent history, and he was portraying a truly despised murderer – but he excelled as the quiet unassuming man who hid such terrible secrets. Again, the openness of his expression proving to be a great counterfoil to the dark recesses of the character he was portraying.

He had a far more sympathetic role in bank holiday stalwart The Great Escape, famously running away from the camp with Gordon Jackson, and then meeting a grizzly end, which seemed so unjust for this epitome of the calm, decent Englishman. Though his acting success continued on into the 1990s, excelling in the likes of Jurassic Park and Miracle on 34th Street, he had always yearned to direct, as acting simply didn’t give him the scope to fully realise his artistry. Oh What A Lovely War – the ironic anti-war film, perfectly reflected his directorial imagination, including songs, dance numbers, surrealism and – above all – a powerful message that summed up his own feelings about the terrible ravages and inhumane treatment of ‘ordinary’ people in the so-called Great War.

His political leanings were never far from his projects – notably Cry Freedom, about the life of South African Anti-Apartheid activist Steve Biko, and of course the Oscar-winning Gandhi, probably his greatest, most renowned achievement, which earnt him two Academy Awards for both Best Film and Best Director. He campaigned tirelessly for causes close to his heart – freedom, justice, and a fair society – both in his personal life and through his work.

Regarded as a ‘national treasure’, he was so much more than this, being a man who never once lost sight of his identity; always remaining modest and humble, in spite of his great success. The world will sadly miss the energy, commitment and passion of this truly charming man.