Remember this well. I was living in London at the time. Such a great actor. So many great actors, actresses and entertainers paying their respect. Beatiful memorial service. Rest in Peace Sir. Laurence Olivier. 🌹
It’s impossible to imagine a better, more appropriate address than this one by Sir Alec Guinness: perfection in thought, expression and delivery. Lady Olivier must have been deeply moved.
I found this and startedcto watch.when they bought his richard3rd crown i had a good old weep. What an extraordinary yalent and wonderful life he had. I often look at his richard 3rd speeches.
Please, please, can we finally, at last, avoid notes of jealousy now he has gone? And please, even more, can we just leave it that nobody knows, understands, or can dare to even guess how Larry achieved what he did at his best. Lets us allow the word love, and - climbing inside the word - just admire him, and thank him. Please. John Windsor-Cunningham
He achieved the highest standards of quality in acting because he was a genius...a genuine talent...there is no need for questioning that...he is incomparable...the one and only
On a whim I thought of searching for Olivier's funeral video and found this one which happened to have just been uploaded today (thanks)---which happens to be the date of Shakespeare's death. Very interesting to see Jill Esmond there. Sadly, Vivien Leigh was long gone, who truly loved him.
I recognized Lord Grade, who died in 1998. He was head of Associated Television Corp. Ltd.(ATV) and it's affiliate ITC Entertainment. These companies produced such TV series as "The Julie Andrews Hour", "The Prisoner", and "Space:1999".
…of course he was an Anglo-Catholic. The Church was the original theatre, the William Walton send off is brilliant….and all celebrated within an ancient Abbey governed over by our Gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The whole affair is a magnificent Performance. Crown Imperial by Edward Elgar. This funeral is of Nobility, and the cozy embers of Empire.
Fascinating watching this and much satisfaction to be had in people spotting. I hope people will add to names I've missed out of the congregation cutaways: Prior to the service: (9.40). Joan Collins, Jill Bennett, Edward Fox, Joanna David, Jeremy Irons, Sinead Cusack (obscured), Cyril Shaps (glasses), Peter Egan ?? (far right), Patricia Routledge (centre back). Procession: Douglas Fairbanks, Jnr., Michael Caine, Paul Scofield, Dorothy Tutin, Ian McKellen, Maggie Smith, Derek Jacobi, Frank Finlay (23.35) John Mortimer, Bernard Levin, Mr & Mrs Ronnie Corbett (27.12) , Sara Kestelman (?), Simon Callow & Partner, Edward Woodward, Jack Lemmon, Robert Hardy (43.02) Michael Denison/Dulcie Gray ?, Penelope Keith & Partner, Tony Britton (48.37) Michael Williams, Alan Bennett (52.22) Gordon Jackson (52.44) Peter Barkworth, Lady Antonia Fraser & Harold Pinter (obscured), Geraldine McEwan, Michael Jayston, Oliver Tobias, Judi Dench.
Fantastic music, under the direction of the wonderful Dr Martin Neary, who was so abominably treated by the Abbey authorities, particularly that nasty piece of work, Dean Carr.
Dimbleby should have known better. I think tragi-comedian might have been more apt (Days of Wine & Roses, Missing, Save the Tiger etc., The China Syndrome).
Fascinating that LO wanted AG to eulogize him…because they were never close, and in fact had their conflicts. At bottom I suspect LO wanted to be known, and wanted someone to tell the truth about him.
What wonderful "performances" by all those actors - male and female. They teach the Abbey clergy how to declaim the prayers and Gospels. If only the clergy wouly would attend to their "ssons".
On the contrary. It was a typically reserved and restrained British commemoration, but also very personal and intimate, the readers being those that knew him well.
Remember this well. I was living in London at the time. Such a great actor. So many great actors, actresses and entertainers paying their respect. Beatiful memorial service. Rest in Peace Sir. Laurence Olivier. 🌹
Rest in peace, sir laurence olivier thank you for posting this event hell never be forgotten!!!!!😢😢😢😢😢
LAURENCE, WE WILL MISS YOU, you had talent and charm.
It’s impossible to imagine a better, more appropriate address than this one by Sir Alec Guinness: perfection in thought, expression and delivery. Lady Olivier must have been deeply moved.
💮🌸😌🌿😇🌸💮GRANDISSIME SIR ALEC GUINNESSS🥰🌸💐💮🌿🇻🇦✝️🇲🇬💞🌸💐🙋♂️!!!
For me, I will always remember him most for "The World at War".
What a wonderful celebration of the theatre and acting profession!
So many of the people of the congregation now gone too. RIP
I found this and startedcto watch.when they bought his richard3rd crown i had a good old weep. What an extraordinary yalent and wonderful life he had. I often look at his richard 3rd speeches.
Wonderful actor Wonderful voice !!!!❤
I only saw Sir Laurence Olivier act in "The Jazz Singer" and he did a great job in acting as Cantor Rabinovitch!
Deep, deep weeping........
He was a great actor there is no doubt.
I can't see any actor since having a funeral such as this, there is no one who is held in such high regard.
Please, please, can we finally, at last, avoid notes of jealousy now he has gone? And please, even more, can we just leave it that nobody knows, understands, or can dare to even guess how Larry achieved what he did at his best. Lets us allow the word love, and - climbing inside the word - just admire him, and thank him. Please. John Windsor-Cunningham
He achieved the highest standards of quality in acting because he was a genius...a genuine talent...there is no need for questioning that...he is incomparable...the one and only
Well rounded genius simply Reflects the Glory of God.
This is an amazing video production for 1989. Sound quality is excellent, and of course the music is first class. Nobody does this like the British!
43:43 for Alec Guinness’s excellent eulogy.
Dazzling array of immortals........
Great actor...The boys from Brazil and Marathon man❤
There's no need to be sarcastic. We all have to lower our values from time to time.
Don’t forget The Jazz Singer😉
54:48 Olivier's voice: his performance of the St. Crispin's Day speech from his film of "Henry V."
The John Gilgud reading! Not a syllable wasted.
On a whim I thought of searching for Olivier's funeral video and found this one which happened to have just been uploaded today (thanks)---which happens to be the date of Shakespeare's death. Very interesting to see Jill Esmond there. Sadly, Vivien Leigh was long gone, who truly loved him.
Charming
I recognized Lord Grade, who died in 1998. He was head of Associated Television Corp. Ltd.(ATV) and it's affiliate ITC Entertainment. These companies produced such TV series as "The Julie Andrews Hour", "The Prisoner", and "Space:1999".
And, lets us not forget the great miniseries, Jesus of Nazareth, of which Olivier played Nicodemus (John 3)!
Amazing. A Royal Event!
Watching this service brings back happy memory's of knowing the dean of Westminster abbey and many others who are or are no longer with us
Rebecca and WUTHERING HIGHTS , one of the best movies l saw in my life.........
..... & Gielgud's ashes, we're placed beneath a tree, amongst a wood He had conserved.
I didn't know this was televised. Why wasn't Tarquin's attendance noted?😮 The presentation of his theater 🎭 awards and gifts was very moving.
Hearing his voice mid service…💕💕
Spine chilling
…of course he was an Anglo-Catholic. The Church was the original theatre, the William Walton send off is brilliant….and all celebrated within an ancient Abbey governed over by our Gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The whole affair is a magnificent Performance. Crown Imperial by Edward Elgar. This funeral is of Nobility, and the cozy embers of Empire.
Charming and lovable instantly
Crown Imperial by Sir William Walton, 1937.
I really loved L. Olivier as HEATHCLIFF in wuthering hights......
You can almost feel the stories the people there have
Fascinating watching this and much satisfaction to be had in people spotting. I hope people will add to names I've missed out of the congregation cutaways:
Prior to the service: (9.40). Joan Collins, Jill Bennett, Edward Fox, Joanna David, Jeremy Irons, Sinead Cusack (obscured), Cyril Shaps (glasses), Peter Egan ?? (far right), Patricia Routledge (centre back).
Procession: Douglas Fairbanks, Jnr., Michael Caine, Paul Scofield, Dorothy Tutin, Ian McKellen, Maggie Smith, Derek Jacobi, Frank Finlay (23.35) John Mortimer, Bernard Levin, Mr & Mrs Ronnie Corbett (27.12) , Sara Kestelman (?), Simon Callow & Partner, Edward Woodward, Jack Lemmon, Robert Hardy (43.02) Michael Denison/Dulcie Gray ?, Penelope Keith & Partner, Tony Britton (48.37) Michael Williams, Alan Bennett (52.22) Gordon Jackson (52.44) Peter Barkworth, Lady Antonia Fraser & Harold Pinter (obscured), Geraldine McEwan, Michael Jayston, Oliver Tobias, Judi Dench.
Thank you! Remarkable to see and I missed some. Bless you.
Well spotted!
Small correction: Paul Scofield.
@@mathematics-bn4bq thank you so much for that, now fixed.
@@t.p.mckenna
You are very welcome.
Scofield was a favourite actor of mine. I was thrilled to see him play Prospero in the 1970s.
Jeremy Irons
RIP to the white angel
Tears at 56:00.
Great camera work as it pans down the row of great actors. O'toole, Jacobi ...
GIelgud falters quite a bit in the Donne, but invests every word with such meaning it doesn't matter.
Gandalf, Charlie Croker/Milo Tindle, Lawrence of Arabia, 'M', Claudius, Obi-Wan Kenobi, 'Mcdonald', 'Big X', Porthos all visible
Oliviers father would have been amazed.
Fantastic music, under the direction of the wonderful Dr Martin Neary, who was so abominably treated by the Abbey authorities, particularly that nasty piece of work, Dean Carr.
Jack lemmon the comedian!
Dimbleby should have known better. I think tragi-comedian might have been more apt (Days of Wine & Roses, Missing, Save the Tiger etc., The China Syndrome).
Anybody have a list of the music used?
www.westminster-abbey.org/media/15138/order-of-service-olivier-laurence-service-of-thanksgiving.pdf
Can’t say I was a fan although I do like Rebecca. Quite impressive.Has any other actor had such a send off since???🤔
'Jack Lemmon, the American comedian...' 🤦♂
where's Dirk Bogarde?
Where's Jean Simmons?
Dirk died about this time.
Fascinating that LO wanted AG to eulogize him…because they were never close, and in fact had their conflicts. At bottom I suspect LO wanted to be known, and wanted someone to tell the truth about him.
What wonderful "performances" by all those actors - male and female. They teach the Abbey clergy how to declaim the prayers and Gospels. If only the clergy wouly would attend to their "ssons".
22:26 - 24:02 I don't know what Albert Finney thought he was doing but it didn't work.
That was really bad.
Are there any black folk living in England?
Don't start.
Service overblown like his acting
Thanks for the comment Mike, most insightful.
On the contrary. It was a typically reserved and restrained British commemoration, but also very personal and intimate, the readers being those that knew him well.
A bit over the top. He was just an actor.
Baron, Sir, Lord, actor, director, director of National Theatre.
Wrong! 😂 Not just an "actor"........THE Actor! 🤦♀️