the definitive Blofeld
crawfordboon
Posts: 126MI6 Agent
Don't know if we've had this topic already, but for me it's a very interesting one. There are several to choose from:
* Anthony Dawson (voiced by Eric Pohlman) FRWL, TB
* Donald Pleasance (YOLT)
* Telly Savalas (OHMSS)
* Charles Grey (DAF)
* John Hollis (FYEO)
* Max von Sydow (NSNA)
To dispense with the main areas of controversy:
most people would consider removing Dawson, Hollis, and von Sydow, because Dawson's face is not revealed (same for Hollis), the FYEO version was not 100% certainly officially Blofeld, and NSNA was unofficial. Putting these arguments to one side, I think we can still use these 'lesser' three as the basis for comparison.
I would argue against Pleasance on the basis that, although highly iconic, he has far too little screen time to make much of an impression, and seemed far too gentle in his speech and mannerisms to be a sadistic mass killer and crime magnate.
Savalas had the aforementioned quality but I never thought he had the class and refinement to be Blofeld. Also, he seemed to lack the stature and screen presence he possessed elsewhere in his career.
Von Sydow has far too little screen time, and when he does have an opportunity, he comes across like an avuncular kindly uncle figure, like the "father christmas" Polish guy who was initially cast for YOLT.
Though we never see much of him, the Dawson/Pohlman version is actually quite memorable. He's certainly evil, menacing, deadly, and has plenty of suggested maturity and refinement about him. But the fact is that we don't get enough of a picture of him, and never see much of him at all, making it impossible to hand over the accolade.
In spite of what everyone says, I really liked Charles Grey as Blofeld (excluding the drag, of coruse). He was clearly cultured, had a sense of upper class European wit and charm, whilst still being forceful, ruthless, and deadly. Grey was imperious with his dialogue and his delivery spot on, a sneering, smug, rakish Blofeld who benefitted from coming across as slightly more human ("What's the matter Bert, have you got a cold?"), thus allowing the audience to warm to him.
But in a strange way, I always liked the John Hollis version the best, though again his screen time is very short and we don't see his face. If this guy had been given a whole film to menace Bond, it would have been truly memorable.
He combines the unseen menace of Dawson with the ability not to outstay his welcome like Pleasance (on whom his physical appearance seems to be modelled), he appears witty like Grey, but he is also an unabashed psycho, like Savalas.
All in all, I thought that whole scene worked well because of him, and of course Roger being as unflappable as ever (though the back projection and stainless steel nonsense detract from it, as does Roger's "keep your hair on" moment).
Who would you rank as your favourite Blofeld actor?
p.s. if you want to see Hollis's real face, you can see him in The Empire Strikes Back (directed by NSNA'S Irvin Kershner, what a career drop in 3 years) as Billy Dee Williams's bald mute assistant with the electronic headgear.
* Anthony Dawson (voiced by Eric Pohlman) FRWL, TB
* Donald Pleasance (YOLT)
* Telly Savalas (OHMSS)
* Charles Grey (DAF)
* John Hollis (FYEO)
* Max von Sydow (NSNA)
To dispense with the main areas of controversy:
most people would consider removing Dawson, Hollis, and von Sydow, because Dawson's face is not revealed (same for Hollis), the FYEO version was not 100% certainly officially Blofeld, and NSNA was unofficial. Putting these arguments to one side, I think we can still use these 'lesser' three as the basis for comparison.
I would argue against Pleasance on the basis that, although highly iconic, he has far too little screen time to make much of an impression, and seemed far too gentle in his speech and mannerisms to be a sadistic mass killer and crime magnate.
Savalas had the aforementioned quality but I never thought he had the class and refinement to be Blofeld. Also, he seemed to lack the stature and screen presence he possessed elsewhere in his career.
Von Sydow has far too little screen time, and when he does have an opportunity, he comes across like an avuncular kindly uncle figure, like the "father christmas" Polish guy who was initially cast for YOLT.
Though we never see much of him, the Dawson/Pohlman version is actually quite memorable. He's certainly evil, menacing, deadly, and has plenty of suggested maturity and refinement about him. But the fact is that we don't get enough of a picture of him, and never see much of him at all, making it impossible to hand over the accolade.
In spite of what everyone says, I really liked Charles Grey as Blofeld (excluding the drag, of coruse). He was clearly cultured, had a sense of upper class European wit and charm, whilst still being forceful, ruthless, and deadly. Grey was imperious with his dialogue and his delivery spot on, a sneering, smug, rakish Blofeld who benefitted from coming across as slightly more human ("What's the matter Bert, have you got a cold?"), thus allowing the audience to warm to him.
But in a strange way, I always liked the John Hollis version the best, though again his screen time is very short and we don't see his face. If this guy had been given a whole film to menace Bond, it would have been truly memorable.
He combines the unseen menace of Dawson with the ability not to outstay his welcome like Pleasance (on whom his physical appearance seems to be modelled), he appears witty like Grey, but he is also an unabashed psycho, like Savalas.
All in all, I thought that whole scene worked well because of him, and of course Roger being as unflappable as ever (though the back projection and stainless steel nonsense detract from it, as does Roger's "keep your hair on" moment).
Who would you rank as your favourite Blofeld actor?
p.s. if you want to see Hollis's real face, you can see him in The Empire Strikes Back (directed by NSNA'S Irvin Kershner, what a career drop in 3 years) as Billy Dee Williams's bald mute assistant with the electronic headgear.
Comments
Although he hadn't much screen time, he still was conniving and memorable.
On another note, Donald Pleasance is probably more memorable and famous than any of the others. He too was a good Blofeld and comes a close second to Dawson!!
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Agreed. The individual mind can conjure up all kinds of menace from an unseen figure with a menacing voice.
Of the Blofeld's that were seen, Telly Savalas is the one who stands out. He brought considerably more menace and physicality to the role than the others.
Also, what's with the praise for Anthony Dawson? What exactly did he do -- sit in a chair, pet a cat, pull a fish from a tank, and press a button on a console? I love the unseen Blofeld, but the credit for that has to go to the voices -- Eric Pohlmann in FRWL and Joseph Wiseman (not Pohlmann) in TB.
For the record, I like Savalas the best, followed by the unseen version.
Basically....yes.
If you have ever seen Star Wars, then he can clearly be seen in that.
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
John Hollis as Lando's Aide
Why do they change so much though?
Frying number, nine was it?, because he was stealing SPECTRE funds