Richard Burton, John Gielgud, Paul Schofield, Jeremy Irons, John Hurt, James Mason, David Niven, Stewart Granger, Ralph Fiennes, Oliver Reed, Ben Kingsley,Anthony Quayle, Robert Shaw.
Yes. So much, and it's our centuries of theatre tradition, centred round Shakespeare, that must be the biggest influence here. But not for all of these. I don't know, but I particularly admire Gielgud, Schofield, Fiennes, and Kingsley. Robert Shaw is an outlier, his career cut short. I'm sort of glad that I never got into acting. It's a tough game.
Paul Schofield was superb on stage, too. John Hurt was wonderful, from Richard Rich to Doctor Who. Ralph Fiennes is a great shout. Ben Kingsley has to be up there. But, what about Mark Rylance and Idris Elba? What about Alfred Molena - stage and screen - epic! David Tennant, Patrick Stewart, Adrian Lester (The definitive Othello) Sacha Baron-Cohen needs a whole new category and... It’s impossible, isn't it? It’s wonderful, isn't it?
@@graceygrumble Paul Schofield in 'A Man for All Seasons ' was brilliant, he was also cast to play a role in the Shooting Party, another favourite of mine, but broke his leg early on in the filming, to be replaced by James Mason.
Sir Ian McKellern had a very successful career as a Shakespearean actor. It was almost like he retired from that to become a Hollywood superstar as a hobby in his old age.
I know, he's about to do Falstaff in 'The Player Kings'. He just does what he fancies doing: whether that's a stint on 'Coronation Street', playing a dame in pantomime, or one-man shows. Definition of 'national treasure', IMO.@Short
Yes, in the UK actors are revered for Shakespeare etc and great heavy weight tv roles. They only go to Hollywood for the money. Most of the acting they can do in their sleep ( and do, Anthony Hopkins).
As is Patrick Stewart. If you want a great actor look to David Suchet, or Jonathan Pryce, who I saw together in The Taming of the Shrew at Stratford in 1979. Wow.
What also surprises me ( maybe not) you measure success by the amount of Oscars they have won or been nominated for which isn’t really the true measure
Should be titled ` Best British Film Actors`, as many others do excellent work ,winning Oscars but mostly concentrate on the stage, for example sir Mark Rylance
there are so many top class actors not on this list but to not have Alec Guiness is unforgivable. this list i suspect is more like Top 10 British Actors that Americans have heard of.
"My dear boy, why don't you just try acting?"....Olivier said to Hoffman after Dustin had been awake for 3 days in order to play a character that had been awake for 3 days...'Marathon Man' 1976
You thought Gary Oldman shouldn't be so high on the list? You should therefore look at some of his other work like, "Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Spy" and "Darkest Hour", plus his theatre work and listen to the opinions of him from other great actors.
I think Tom Holland might be up there I'm the future if his career continues well. Obviously too many people just like him because he's spiderman. But the fact that I've seen him convincingly play 2 completely different types of Americans and some people don't even know he's british from those films is impressive. He's got the chops to do a lot of varied roles
@@Sgt.chickens... I'd agree that Tom Holland is potentially a great all round actor, he's in the same model as Christian Bale - we've seen the great early films, but await the maturing roles.
In the UK you don't have to be in film to be a successful Actor , some people spend their whole lives in the theatre, McKellen is a proper theatre darling.
Also Mark Rylance .who has actually been in quite a few films before his Oscar as `Best supporting Actor` in Spielberg`s Bridge of Spies`, I particularly like `The Grass Arena`.
Ian Mckellen was a very famous stage actor (including a Tony award for best actor in 1980) before becoming wel known as a film actor after his great performance as Richard III (1995),
The vast majority of british actors go to one of the plethora of great drama schools in the UK and usually cut their teeth in theatre and television before they move to film and then have a go at Hollywood
In fairness, most of the names in the list are or were great actors but there are or were many more equally so, and a top ten is not really enough. I am also British myself and as much as there are great actors from here, that is not exclusive to Britain though.
In Great Britain excellence in the art form is a deeply ingrained part of the theatrical culture. In the US 'acting' is often a lot more often simply a vehicle to becoming as famous as possible.
I first saw Ian McKellen in 1982 in The Scarlet Pimpernel as a weasily, but brilliant, Citizen Chauvelin. His King Lear in 2008 was a masterclass in the role. Fabulous actor.
I’m astounded when you said he didn’t have much of a career before he was much older, whaaatttt?????? You mean you think he only had a career when he became well known in America for films before that Ian McKellen had a career that most American movie actors could only dream of. I’m just astounded, you seem to know a fair bit about that world so I’m just comfused
Take a chill pill Lousie. We all got what he was saying. He was thinking top down. Most people view the world that way. That is why brains are important.
@@mmuzzwell3654 that amazes me that you not only know what and how he thinks but apparently you know how much of the world thinks, your ego must be hardly able to fit through your door. I personally don’t need a chill pill as I don’t assume what he’s thinking or the rest of the world I’ll leave that up to the big brains like yourself 😳😳😳😳
@@louisemiller3784 A bit grouchy Louise. Let's apply logic to your comment. "I'm astounded"-- "you mean you think" then conclude with (answering for him) "I'm just astounded". Also meanwhile implying that he is biased towards American actors when this OP is known for his quirky pro British reactions. Then you go on to imply: I attempt to speak for the world (I have a huge ego, can't fit through the door). In the context that I was using it does apply to the world of animals. Humans (as with most other animals) not only physically view objects top down, but socially also. About the chill pill comment, I owe you an apology, Sorry Louise for saying "take a chill pill". In my next comment I might apologise for calling you grouchy.
Watching Daniel Day Lewis in 'My beautiful launderette' will undo any fear hopefully. Mark Rylance should of been given a spot as seeing him in theater as well as film is something to behold.
09:28 Michael gave an acting class once and he said the secret to delivering lines on screen is to never blink on close ups, the reason is when it's a close up on your face on the film screen you face is huge, as are your eyes. If you blink you can distract the viewer from the lines you are delivering, not blinking shows strength and gets attention focused on what you're saying.
I saw that one. What struck me was his demo of the same piece for stage and film. The exaggeration for stage, which looked rediculous in close shot and the miniscule movements for film which were totally lost on stage. Brilliant.
If you’ve not seen Get Carter, watch Get Carter! The ultimate British film of the period, bleak but my god so intense! Watch it every 5 years or so, just magnificent.
I think Sean Connery deserved an honourable mention. He was a fantastic Bond but also did some great movies in the second half of his career like Highlander, Indiana Jones and The Rock to name just a few
How about John Hurt? Also, Stanley Baker, David Hemmings, Ralph Richardson, John Mills, Richard Attenborough, Charles Laughton, Malcolm McDowell, Sean Bean, Stephen Graham, Ray Winstone, Richard E. Grant, Michael Hordern, Michael York, Freddie Jones, Dirk Bogarde, Richard Harris, to name a few more...
I agree with what you say in that it is totally impossible to rate actors in order of "Top" over a period of "All Time", when it is so hard to rate them over roles within even a year. I have been lucky enough to work with Laurence Olivier (twice), Tony Hopkins and Michael Caine, but to choose the "best" acting skill of one over the other is just impossible.
I love Michael Caine but to have him in this list and skip over Alec Guinness, Mark Rylance, Ralph Fiennes , Richard Burton , John Hurt and many others makes this list seem rather superficial. And great as Chaplin was, he was he played only one role!
@@christinemo9622 That's why it's impossible to have a list. By the way you are wrong re Chaplin playing only one role. Check out A countess from Hong Kong, Limelight, A king in New York, Monsieur Verdoux and The Great Dictator for example (Also all written by him.) And also John Hurt should be near the top of any list!
The reason some of these seem mout of order is that the list is completely movie orientated. There are at least a dozen classic stage actors who are much more than a match for any of these!
Sadly my favourite (British, or otherwise) actor never makes these lists, Jason Isaacs. Yes he’s been in plenty of things that aren’t going to win an award, but he’s never given less than 100% to his role. Hello To Jason Isaacs.
Solid choices, would maybe have personally moved them around a little. But I think Christopher Lee deserved a spot on the list, not just an honourable mention.
Yep,that's the one, brilliant movie, but Hopkins performance in,Magic is, I think, truly fantastic. In the movie he plays opposite, Anne Margaret and the legend that was, Burgess Merideth.
Sir Kenneth Brannagh, Sir John Hurt, Rowan Atkinson, Sir Derek Jacobi, Sir Micheal Gambon, David Thewlis, James McAvoy. I think Tom Holland is incredible too. Watch The Impossible if you haven't already, he was so good in that for someone so young. Edit to add: can't believe i forgot about Sir Patrick Stewart.
Actors who could play serious and comedy were Herbert Lom, Dennis Price, Rex Harrison and Richard Attenborough. Also John Mills. They all did theatre, so were used to playing the same part twice a day for months. It was a good way to learn to change the voice, mannerisms, just to keep it interesting.
I agree with your addition of Michael Gambon and Antony Sher. They were both sometimes typecast, but the strength of experience and genius shone through.
What⁉️No Sir Alec Guineas! He was definitely one of our best and all time greats and he could morph into each character he played. He was just brilliant.
Gary Oldman is my favourite actor of all time! The corrupt DEA agent in Leon, The Professional. The Pimp in True Romance, Zorg in The fifth Element, his performance as Churchill. Incredible in every movie.
Alan Rickman, Michael Caine and Peter O'Tool might be my favorites on this list even though they are all great. The first Alan Rickman movie I saw was Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves where he was the sherif of Nottingham, The first Peter O'tool movie I watched was The Last Emperor, and The first Michael Caine movie I watched was The Cider House Rules, which has also become one of my alltime favorite movies.
Ian McKellen was appearing at the Haymarket Theatre in London, around 2009 in a two headed play called 'Waiting for Godo' alongside Patrick Stewart, when Patrick was distracted by the resident ghost, playwright, actor and producer Johan Buckstone..
You could add Steven Berkoff to the list. He was the villain Victor Maitland in Beverly Hills Cop. Or Terence Stamp, General Zod in Superman 2. The first movie I remember seeing Sir Ian McKellen in was 'Jack & Sarah' (1995) along side Richard E. Grant (he could be on the list too). He played a tramp :) A hidden gem of a movie I highly recommend to anyone. It's a British rom com.
To do justice to this top ten, it needs to be a top 30. Scrolled down a fair bit, without noticing a mention for Peter Sellers. Then multiply the length if the list x2 when counting some of our amazing lady actors. There are just as many.
Re Anthony Hopkins,,check him out in the movie, MAGIC, one of his best performances any day. This is a reworking of an old film starring Michael Redgrave. Enjoy, Tony
@@JulieHalligan-go8ov He was an amazing actor. I also loved him in A Rather English Marriage, towards the end of his life, with Tom Courtney and Joanna Lumley.
What can you say about Daniel Day Lewis? in my humble opinion, he is excellent but best in quieter roles, when he is BOMBASTIC in my head ‘over-acting just repeats over and over again’ while I watch, although, yes, some roles, like Butcher Bill, makes sense, but toning things down just a wee notch would make him shine more. But what do I know? Just what I like ✌🏼
Hugh Laurie, Anthony Hopkins, Michael Caine, Christian Bale, Paul Bethany, John Hurt, Patrick Stewart, Sean Connery, Orlando Bloom, Idris Elba, Daniel Day Lewis, Daniel Craig, Jason Statham, Ralph Fiennes, Ewan McGregor, Damien Lewis, Gerard Butler, Tim Roth, Henry Cavill, Albert Finley, Peter Sellars, etc………
McKellan His stage career was wonderful. Mainly he’s thought of as a Shakespearean actor. Maybe the greatest. He is still touring in the U.K today, I’m going to see him soon, yet another Shakespearean role. He’s saying maybe it will be his last touring role. His longevity, you have to admire the man,
most people will think of Chaplain as a silent move actor but his speech in the great dictator is one of the true greats, everyone should look it up on youtube.
I studied music at a music/drama conservatoire many years ago. Some of the drama students have done incredibly well. Occasionally I remember a name and google them and are amazed at what they have achieved.
And in addition to my previous comment there is a vast difference between stage / theatre actors and movie stars. I have known Ian McKellen far more for his stage work than his film.
Yes my favourite but .Michael Cain's in Zulu tops it for me.Story told about him , always associated with cockney accent, He was being considered for Zulu, was asked did he think he could do an upper crust British accent his reply was I can do any accent if the pay is right. He proved he could
So many more actors too numerous to mention deserve appreciation here. I agree that Christian Bale in ''Empire of the sun' was extraordinary. I was mesmorised.
Acting can be very subjective depending on how you specifically think a character should be played so it’s no surprise people disagree on who has the best acting chops all the time
Ian McKellen was an extremely well respected, successful theatre (and TV) actor before he 'made it' as a Hollywood star, which is the case with many, if not most, British actors due to their training. Hate that this list's category for 'best actor' only means as a film actor. Lot more to acting than being a movie star.
How can you cut it down to ten? No mention - even in the honourable mentions - of David Niven, Peter Sellers, Jack Hawkins, Ralph Richardson, Ralph Fiennes, Patrick Stewart, Ben Kingsley, Michael Gambon, Kenneth Branagh, Sean Connery, Richard Burton, John Mills, John Hurt, James and Edward Fox, Alan Bates, Malcolm McDowell...
I saw Gary Oldman playing the cat in Dick Whittington in panto in York many years ago .Thats why our actors are good they learn their craft in theatre and rep
I do know the answer to this. British actors get proper trading both in drama school, theatre and television. They come in all shapes and sizes to fill all roles and are very used to doing accents of all sorts including American as there are many, many American shows and films watched in the Uk. American actors pursue excellence, they have to be the best looking, the most muscly including in soaps. Look at Johnny Depp who started in a cop show, stunningly beautiful and he himself said employed for his looks. Any female cop on tv in the US has to be stunningly beautiful any male actor stunningly handsome. Americans are also notorious for not being able to do accents so British actors who compete against American actors are generally better trained and able to do US accents.
For Charlie Chaplin in dramatic roles without comedic/satirical overtones check out two movies from later in his life, Limelight and Monsieur Verdoux. Even so most of his "comedies" feature significant dramatic acting
Trouble with Sean Connery is he basically just played himself in every movie. Same with Michael Caine, their acting ability didn't stretch outside of that really, especially alongside the likes of Gary Oldman or Christian Bale etc who can vastly change between roles.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 88 | คู่เอก "ป้อมเพชร vs อัสลามจอน"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1ZqTVVbMgbo/mqdefault.jpg)
![[MV] A leap of faith...ความเชื่อใจครั้งสุดท้าย (From "Petrichor the series")](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/U1piZH2CNXA/mqdefault.jpg)
Richard Burton, John Gielgud, Paul Schofield, Jeremy Irons, John Hurt, James Mason, David Niven, Stewart Granger, Ralph Fiennes, Oliver Reed, Ben Kingsley,Anthony Quayle, Robert Shaw.
Yes. So much, and it's our centuries of theatre tradition, centred round Shakespeare, that must be the biggest influence here. But not for all of these. I don't know, but I particularly admire Gielgud, Schofield, Fiennes, and Kingsley. Robert Shaw is an outlier, his career cut short. I'm sort of glad that I never got into acting. It's a tough game.
Alec Guineas and Lawrence Oliver.
Wasnt Lawrence Aussie...@@dee2251
Paul Schofield was superb on stage, too. John Hurt was wonderful, from Richard Rich to Doctor Who. Ralph Fiennes is a great shout. Ben Kingsley has to be up there. But, what about Mark Rylance and Idris Elba? What about Alfred Molena - stage and screen - epic! David Tennant, Patrick Stewart, Adrian Lester (The definitive Othello) Sacha Baron-Cohen needs a whole new category and...
It’s impossible, isn't it?
It’s wonderful, isn't it?
@@graceygrumble
Paul Schofield in 'A Man for All Seasons ' was brilliant, he was also cast to play a role in the Shooting Party, another favourite of mine, but broke his leg early on in the filming, to be replaced by James Mason.
Sir Ian McKellern had a very successful career as a Shakespearean actor. It was almost like he retired from that to become a Hollywood superstar as a hobby in his old age.
oh he still does theatre, but movies pay the bills
I know, he's about to do Falstaff in 'The Player Kings'.
He just does what he fancies doing: whether that's a stint on 'Coronation Street', playing a dame in pantomime, or one-man shows.
Definition of 'national treasure', IMO.@Short
Yes, in the UK actors are revered for Shakespeare etc and great heavy weight tv roles. They only go to Hollywood for the money. Most of the acting they can do in their sleep ( and do, Anthony Hopkins).
Elephant man was John Hurt, a much greater actor than Anthony Hopkins IMHO, who I think is the same in every role.
As is Patrick Stewart. If you want a great actor look to David Suchet, or Jonathan Pryce, who I saw together in The Taming of the Shrew at Stratford in 1979. Wow.
American actors want to be movie stars.
British actors want to be the best at their craft.
So true !
Alan Rickman was also the best ever Sheriff of Nottingham in any Robin Hood series/movies!
spoon?
Ahh yes he was good in that film!
Should be renamed 10 best actors that Americans know the names of
@Nicola: Right, or maybe 10 British actors Muricans think are Americans?
Wait what, no Sir John Mills, Kenneth Moore, Jack Hawkins? Three of my favourite actors. Alec Guinness should had definitely made the list
Goes to show that the honourable mentions list should have gone on for an hour at least.
Moore... Douglas Bader?
And what about Ralph Fiennes
All enjoyable but light, no depth apart from Alec Guinness. They could not make you laugh one minute and make you afraid or cry the next.
Whaaaat ??!!? No mention whatsoever of the Welsh great, RICHARD BURTON.?!!
A voice like a Lion's Purr 🏴❤️
What also surprises me ( maybe not) you measure success by the amount of Oscars they have won or been nominated for which isn’t really the true measure
No he didn't. Why so defensive Louise.
Should be titled ` Best British Film Actors`, as many others do excellent work ,winning Oscars but mostly concentrate on the stage, for example sir Mark Rylance
Charlie Chaplin my grandmothers favourite actor, now that’s going back 😂
It was a comment. The reactionary response is not coming from her. She can state an opinion.
@@Briardie??????????????? your comment: 1st part benign, middle bit very confusing, last bit benign.
there are so many top class actors not on this list but to not have Alec Guiness is unforgivable. this list i suspect is more like Top 10 British Actors that Americans have heard of.
I agree. This is the most well known to an American audience actors. I don’t necessarily disagree however, considering that fact.
How could Alec Guinness not be on the list? Kind Hearts and Coronets demonstrated his versatility.
Should be best 100 actors
@@helenag.9386... Even then someone would complain that someone had been omitted. You can't really win.
Man in the white suit .lavender Hill mob tinker Taylor.
@@janolaful
Alec Guinness plays more characters in Kind Hearts and Coronets than all of those films put together...
John Mills, David Niven, Stewart Granger, Lawrence Oliver, John Gilgude so many to mention.
"My dear boy, why don't you just try acting?"....Olivier said to Hoffman after Dustin had been awake for 3 days in order to play a character that had been awake for 3 days...'Marathon Man' 1976
You thought Gary Oldman shouldn't be so high on the list? You should therefore look at some of his other work like, "Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Spy" and "Darkest Hour", plus his theatre work and listen to the opinions of him from other great actors.
I loved his cameo of Drexl Spivey in Tarantino's 'True Romance'. It was freaky but wonderful. 😊
At the moment he’s in Slow Horses which is a work of genius.
Loved him in Leon
Sir Richard Burton, John Hurt, and a modern day Tom Hardy ..... respect
Oh, Tom Hardy, very good point. And Richard Burton, impressive and slightly scary. John Hurt, wildly versatile, someone you don't notice is acting.
I think Tom Holland might be up there I'm the future if his career continues well.
Obviously too many people just like him because he's spiderman. But the fact that I've seen him convincingly play 2 completely different types of Americans and some people don't even know he's british from those films is impressive. He's got the chops to do a lot of varied roles
@@Sgt.chickens... I'd agree that Tom Holland is potentially a great all round actor, he's in the same model as Christian Bale - we've seen the great early films, but await the maturing roles.
For me, an honourable mention for Tim Roth & Andy Serkis.
Tom Hardy over acts. Yeah I said it.
Sir Ian ''didn't have much of a career ...''! Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Wtf do your research properly '
@@peterdarnell9183 Quote marks - see? Listen around 3:30 and learn to recognize sarcasm.
In the UK you don't have to be in film to be a successful Actor , some people spend their whole lives in the theatre, McKellen is a proper theatre darling.
Also Mark Rylance .who has actually been in quite a few films before his Oscar as `Best supporting Actor` in Spielberg`s Bridge of Spies`,
I particularly like `The Grass Arena`.
Sir Ben Kingsley should easily be on that list. Anyone who can go from playing Gandhi to Don Logan in Sexy Beast has got seriously good acting chops.
John Hurt and Sir Richard Attenborough deserve a mention also Richard Burton and Richard Harris.
Richard Harris is Irish.
Ian Mckellen was a very famous stage actor (including a Tony award for best actor in 1980) before becoming wel known as a film actor after his great performance as Richard III (1995),
I could listen to that voice for hours on end.
Plus, more honourable mentions should be, Charles Dance, Micheal Gambon, Ralph Fiennes and Colin Firth.
Michael Gambon was Irish
@@1conor Yeah I believe he was, he was a child when he got British citizenship.
The vast majority of british actors go to one of the plethora of great drama schools in the UK and usually cut their teeth in theatre and television before they move to film and then have a go at Hollywood
Burton? Redgrave? Donat? Mason? Hurt? Cushing? McDowell?
There's too many to count.
I agree with all of your choices,they're much better, Donat is Canadian, which I only found out a few years ago, I always thought he was English
Donat was born in Manchester, honed his craft on the English stage. What was his Canadian connection?
@@jatrius I stand corrected, I mixed Robert up with someone else
@@alistairmcdougall9625 We've all done it. Didn't Claude Rains end up in Canada? I could be wrong there, too. ;)
This is a very American view of what constitutes a great actor.
Not judged as Actors, but Film Stars.
Alan Rickman was great in the BBC TV series of Barchester Towers, as the awful Obadiah Slope
In fairness, most of the names in the list are or were great actors but there are or were many more equally so, and a top ten is not really enough.
I am also British myself and as much as there are great actors from here, that is not exclusive to Britain though.
In Great Britain excellence in the art form is a deeply ingrained part of the theatrical culture. In the US 'acting' is often a lot more often simply a vehicle to becoming as famous as possible.
I first saw Ian McKellen in 1982 in The Scarlet Pimpernel as a weasily, but brilliant, Citizen Chauvelin.
His King Lear in 2008 was a masterclass in the role. Fabulous actor.
I’m astounded when you said he didn’t have much of a career before he was much older, whaaatttt?????? You mean you think he only had a career when he became well known in America for films before that Ian McKellen had a career that most American movie actors could only dream of. I’m just astounded, you seem to know a fair bit about that world so I’m just comfused
Take a chill pill Lousie. We all got what he was saying. He was thinking top down. Most people view the world that way. That is why brains are important.
@@mmuzzwell3654 at least be able to spell my name
@@louisemiller3784 Sorry Louise. 😘
@@mmuzzwell3654 that amazes me that you not only know what and how he thinks but apparently you know how much of the world thinks, your ego must be hardly able to fit through your door. I personally don’t need a chill pill as I don’t assume what he’s thinking or the rest of the world I’ll leave that up to the big brains like yourself 😳😳😳😳
@@louisemiller3784 A bit grouchy Louise. Let's apply logic to your comment. "I'm astounded"-- "you mean you think" then conclude with (answering for him) "I'm just astounded". Also meanwhile implying that he is biased towards American actors when this OP is known for his quirky pro British reactions.
Then you go on to imply: I attempt to speak for the world (I have a huge ego, can't fit through the door). In the context that I was using it does apply to the world of animals. Humans (as with most other animals) not only physically view objects top down, but socially also. About the chill pill comment, I owe you an apology, Sorry Louise for saying "take a chill pill". In my next comment I might apologise for calling you grouchy.
I would have added Peter Sellers to the list.
Three voices for the price of four
"Birdie num num."
It's simple - they take the time to learn their trade rather than instantly wanting to be a ''film star''!
🎯
Watching Daniel Day Lewis in 'My beautiful launderette' will undo any fear hopefully. Mark Rylance should of been given a spot as seeing him in theater as well as film is something to behold.
Very good point. Mark Rylance is underappreciated. An actor who proves that you have to restrain yourself.
Yes!
@@afischer8327 Yes.
Have
Tim Curry played a couple of well known villains
Gary Oldman is phenomenal. Loved him in Leon and everything he's in. Should be at least top 3.
09:28 Michael gave an acting class once and he said the secret to delivering lines on screen is to never blink on close ups, the reason is when it's a close up on your face on the film screen you face is huge, as are your eyes. If you blink you can distract the viewer from the lines you are delivering, not blinking shows strength and gets attention focused on what you're saying.
I saw that one. What struck me was his demo of the same piece for stage and film. The exaggeration for stage, which looked rediculous in close shot and the miniscule movements for film which were totally lost on stage. Brilliant.
He retired last year ,but recently agreed to `one more film` .
Now in his 90s!
If you’ve not seen Get Carter, watch Get Carter! The ultimate British film of the period, bleak but my god so intense! Watch it every 5 years or so, just magnificent.
Christopher Lee was a secret agent during WW2. He also met Tolkien and later was in the LOTR movies.
My God, no Richard Burton WTF. He is The Voice.
I think Sean Connery deserved an honourable mention. He was a fantastic Bond but also did some great movies in the second half of his career like Highlander, Indiana Jones and The Rock to name just a few
How about John Hurt? Also, Stanley Baker, David Hemmings, Ralph Richardson, John Mills, Richard Attenborough, Charles Laughton, Malcolm McDowell, Sean Bean, Stephen Graham, Ray Winstone, Richard E. Grant, Michael Hordern, Michael York, Freddie Jones, Dirk Bogarde, Richard Harris, to name a few more...
Agree with all, but Richard Harris was Irish.
Just in case MARK STRONG is waiting to see his name mentioned. Beautiful man.
Stephen Spielberg called Pete Postlethwaite the best in the business and rightly so. Very proud that he comes from my home town in the Northwest.
Greetings from Widnes 😁
Derek Jacobi, Brian Blessed. Bill Nighy. David Nivan. Peter Cushing. Norman Wisdom 😅 Richard Harris. Richard Attenborough. John Mills. Brian Cox.
Richard Harris was Irish, not British
I agree with what you say in that it is totally impossible to rate actors in order of "Top" over a period of "All Time", when it is so hard to rate them over roles within even a year. I have been lucky enough to work with Laurence Olivier (twice), Tony Hopkins and Michael Caine, but to choose the "best" acting skill of one over the other is just impossible.
I love Michael Caine but to have him in this list and skip over Alec Guinness, Mark Rylance, Ralph Fiennes , Richard Burton , John Hurt and many others makes this list seem rather superficial. And great as Chaplin was, he was he played only one role!
@@christinemo9622 That's why it's impossible to have a list. By the way you are wrong re Chaplin playing only one role. Check out A countess from Hong Kong, Limelight, A king in New York, Monsieur Verdoux and The Great Dictator for example (Also all written by him.) And also John Hurt should be near the top of any list!
The reason some of these seem mout of order is that the list is completely movie orientated. There are at least a dozen classic stage actors who are much more than a match for any of these!
Sir Ian McKellen explaining acting to Ricky Gervais in "Extras" was hilarious 😅
So good!! One of my favourites. Have you seen the Patrick Stewart episode too?
Carey Grant aka Archibald Leach was born in Bristol which is where I’ve always lived. We have a statue of him in Millennium Square.
You seem down on Gary Oldman and I don't know why. He's an incredible actor.
Sadly my favourite (British, or otherwise) actor never makes these lists, Jason Isaacs. Yes he’s been in plenty of things that aren’t going to win an award, but he’s never given less than 100% to his role. Hello To Jason Isaacs.
British actors are just more down to earth and relatable.
They aren't shallow and image driven like American actors seem to be.
Good list but Sir John Mills deserved a place and Sir Richard Attenborough and Ralph Fiennes honourable mentions. ❤
Sir Allec Guinness not even placed.
So many good actors missing from this list Sean Connery, Tim Roth, Malcolm McDowell etc
Solid choices, would maybe have personally moved them around a little. But I think Christopher Lee deserved a spot on the list, not just an honourable mention.
Yep,that's the one, brilliant movie, but Hopkins performance in,Magic is, I think, truly fantastic. In the movie he plays opposite, Anne Margaret and the legend that was, Burgess Merideth.
My granny once met Anthony Hopkins on a dinner party scene while she was an extra in the film Picasso, which he was the titular lead in.
Alec Guinness was a great actor played everything from comedy to spy thrillers. Should of been on that list.
I saw Ian McKellan a lot in the theatre before he got into movies. He was a great theatre actor.
Actresses, Glenda Jackson, Judi Dench, Don't get me started
Sir Kenneth Brannagh, Sir John Hurt, Rowan Atkinson, Sir Derek Jacobi, Sir Micheal Gambon, David Thewlis, James McAvoy. I think Tom Holland is incredible too. Watch The Impossible if you haven't already, he was so good in that for someone so young.
Edit to add: can't believe i forgot about Sir Patrick Stewart.
Actors who could play serious and comedy were Herbert Lom, Dennis Price,
Rex Harrison and Richard Attenborough.
Also John Mills.
They all did theatre, so were used to playing the same part twice a day for months. It was a good way to learn to change the voice, mannerisms, just to keep it interesting.
John Hurt, Michael Gambon, Richard Burton, Antony Sher, many superb younger actors - often men of colour
I agree with your addition of Michael Gambon and Antony Sher. They were both sometimes typecast, but the strength of experience and genius shone through.
Fun fact - Gary Numan is 13 days older than Gary Oldman
Who is Gary Numan?
musician@@vtbn53
Gary Numan fans - see "Here at the Spar" by Stevie Riks 😅
so the 'New' man is older than the 'old' man, yes??
@@vtbn53 One of the pioneers of electronic music in the 80s. Some of his biggest hits include: 'Cars' and 'Are Friends Electric?'
What⁉️No Sir Alec Guineas! He was definitely one of our best and all time greats and he could morph into each character he played. He was just brilliant.
Richard Harris, Richard Burton and Alec Guinness would be in my top 10.
I loved Olivier in Rebecca and Wuthering Heights.
Gary Oldman is my favourite actor of all time! The corrupt DEA agent in Leon, The Professional. The Pimp in True Romance, Zorg in The fifth Element, his performance as Churchill. Incredible in every movie.
If they had mentioned Richard Burton,then Wales would have scored a hat trick 🏴
What makes British actors the best is ,they are credible and the accent helps
Michael Caine is just himself in every film he does. A bit like Robert De Niro (oooh bit controversial!)
Alan Rickman, Michael Caine and Peter O'Tool might be my favorites on this list even though they are all great. The first Alan Rickman movie I saw was Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves where he was the sherif of Nottingham, The first Peter O'tool movie I watched was The Last Emperor, and The first Michael Caine movie I watched was The Cider House Rules, which has also become one of my alltime favorite movies.
no-one has ever made a spoon more sinister than Alan Rickman.
Ian McKellen was appearing at the Haymarket Theatre in London, around 2009 in a two headed play called 'Waiting for Godo' alongside Patrick Stewart, when Patrick was distracted by the resident ghost, playwright, actor and producer Johan Buckstone..
They missed out Stan Laurel too.
jeremy Irons and Ralph Fiennes are missing from this list. They should at the very least get an honorable mention.
You could add Steven Berkoff to the list. He was the villain Victor Maitland in Beverly Hills Cop. Or Terence Stamp, General Zod in Superman 2. The first movie I remember seeing Sir Ian McKellen in was 'Jack & Sarah' (1995) along side Richard E. Grant (he could be on the list too). He played a tramp :) A hidden gem of a movie I highly recommend to anyone. It's a British rom com.
Peter Cushing.
Peter Cushing, Peter Sellers, Terry Thomas.
Grant from Bristol in England❤❤❤
To do justice to this top ten, it needs to be a top 30. Scrolled down a fair bit, without noticing a mention for Peter Sellers. Then multiply the length if the list x2 when counting some of our amazing lady actors. There are just as many.
Re Anthony Hopkins,,check him out in the movie, MAGIC, one of his best performances any day. This is a reworking of an old film starring Michael Redgrave. Enjoy, Tony
Do you mean 'Dead of Night'?
I've just thought of another one she left out and that's Albert Finney.
Albert Finney is one of my favourite actors of all time. I loved him as Poirot in murder on the Orient express. I miss him. ❤
Albert Finney is one of my favourite actors. Loved him as Poirot in murder on the Orient express. I really miss him. ❤
@@JulieHalligan-go8ov He was an amazing actor. I also loved him in A Rather English Marriage, towards the end of his life, with Tom Courtney and Joanna Lumley.
Also Sir Richard Attenboroughs Chaplin wonderfully played by Robert Downey Jr
David Tennant, Gambon, Michael Caine, Michael Kitchen
What can you say about Daniel Day Lewis? in my humble opinion, he is excellent but best in quieter roles, when he is BOMBASTIC in my head ‘over-acting just repeats over and over again’ while I watch, although, yes, some roles, like Butcher Bill, makes sense, but toning things down just a wee notch would make him shine more. But what do I know? Just what I like ✌🏼
Hugh Laurie, Anthony Hopkins, Michael Caine, Christian Bale, Paul Bethany, John Hurt, Patrick Stewart, Sean Connery, Orlando Bloom, Idris Elba, Daniel Day Lewis, Daniel Craig, Jason Statham, Ralph Fiennes, Ewan McGregor, Damien Lewis, Gerard Butler, Tim Roth, Henry Cavill, Albert Finley, Peter Sellars, etc………
McKellan His stage career was wonderful. Mainly he’s thought of as a Shakespearean actor. Maybe the greatest. He is still touring in the U.K today, I’m going to see him soon, yet another Shakespearean role. He’s saying maybe it will be his last touring role. His longevity, you have to admire the man,
Great Daniel Day early movies to check out are My Beautiful Launderette, My Left Foot and In the Name of the Father.
most people will think of Chaplain as a silent move actor but his speech in the great dictator is one of the true greats, everyone should look it up on youtube.
I studied music at a music/drama conservatoire many years ago. Some of the drama students have done incredibly well. Occasionally I remember a name and google them and are amazed at what they have achieved.
Theatre is very big in Britain...Great grounding for actors..
And in addition to my previous comment there is a vast difference between stage / theatre actors and movie stars. I have known Ian McKellen far more for his stage work than his film.
RIP Alan Rickman. This would have been better as a top 30
Yes my favourite but .Michael Cain's in Zulu tops it for me.Story told about him , always associated with cockney accent, He was being considered for Zulu, was asked did he think he could do an upper crust British accent his reply was I can do any accent if the pay is right. He proved he could
Richard Burton, James Mason, Ben Kingsley Alec Guinness, John Mills, Trevor Howard the list goes on.
So many more actors too numerous to mention deserve appreciation here. I agree that Christian Bale in ''Empire of the sun' was extraordinary. I was mesmorised.
Acting can be very subjective depending on how you specifically think a character should be played so it’s no surprise people disagree on who has the best acting chops all the time
Ian McKellen was an extremely well respected, successful theatre (and TV) actor before he 'made it' as a Hollywood star, which is the case with many, if not most, British actors due to their training.
Hate that this list's category for 'best actor' only means as a film actor. Lot more to acting than being a movie star.
How can you cut it down to ten? No mention - even in the honourable mentions - of David Niven, Peter Sellers, Jack Hawkins, Ralph Richardson, Ralph Fiennes, Patrick Stewart, Ben Kingsley, Michael Gambon, Kenneth Branagh, Sean Connery, Richard Burton, John Mills, John Hurt, James and Edward Fox, Alan Bates, Malcolm McDowell...
I saw Gary Oldman playing the cat in Dick Whittington in panto in York many years ago .Thats why our actors are good they learn their craft in theatre and rep
I do know the answer to this. British actors get proper trading both in drama school, theatre and television. They come in all shapes and sizes to fill all roles and are very used to doing accents of all sorts including American as there are many, many American shows and films watched in the Uk.
American actors pursue excellence, they have to be the best looking, the most muscly including in soaps. Look at Johnny Depp who started in a cop show, stunningly beautiful and he himself said employed for his looks. Any female cop on tv in the US has to be stunningly beautiful any male actor stunningly handsome. Americans are also notorious for not being able to do accents so British actors who compete against American actors are generally better trained and able to do US accents.
I loved Michael Caine in Harry Brown - hands down a career defining film 🎥
Mine were Sir John gielgud, Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Laurence Olivier, Alan Rickman, Dame Maggie Smith, and Dame Judy Dench .
This list was Male only,my friend but good calls.
For Charlie Chaplin in dramatic roles without comedic/satirical overtones check out two movies from later in his life, Limelight and Monsieur Verdoux. Even so most of his "comedies" feature significant dramatic acting
Sir John Mills, David Niven, Sean Connery to name a few.
Trouble with Sean Connery is he basically just played himself in every movie. Same with Michael Caine, their acting ability didn't stretch outside of that really, especially alongside the likes of Gary Oldman or Christian Bale etc who can vastly change between roles.
@5:25 your comment about dramatic actors not switching to comedy. Leslie Nielsen, Lloyd Bridges and most of the Airplane! cast
Us Bristolians refer to Cary Grant as Our Archie.
Where is Richard Harris?