So sad to hear about the passing of the extremely talented, intelligent and glamorous
Dame Maggie Smith is one of the greatest actresses... Ever!
In her career that spanned 70 years she appeared in 62 motion pictures.
Her big breakthrough role came in the film, "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" (1969) that she went on to win an Oscar for.
Her talents were recognised by her peers and the entertainment industry.
Over her lengthy career on stage and screen she won 2 Oscars, 3 Golden Globes, 4 Emmy's, a Tony Award & 5 Screen Actors Guild Awards.
In 1996, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts presented her with the BAFTA Fellowship, the highest honour the Academy can bestow... The list goes on.
Smith was appointed a CBE in the 1970 and was made a Dame in 1990, Smith was made a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) for services to drama in the 2014.
A truly remarkable woman who will live forever on film.
My recommendations for Maggie Smith films are...
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969)
Directed by Ronald Neame, Screenplay by Jay Presson Allen, Based on the novel "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" by Muriel Spark,
Produced by James Cresson & Robert Fryer, Music by Rod McKuen, Cinematography by Ted Moore, Edited by Norman Savage
Starring Maggie Smith, Robert Stephens,
Pamela Franklin, Gordon Jackson & Celia Johnson.
Jean Brodie is a free-spirited teacher at a Scottish girls' school during the 1930s. She encourages her young pupils to embrace romantic ideals, educating them about love and art rather than hard facts. However, her controversial teaching philosophy draws the ire of the school's headmistress and, as Miss Brodie becomes entangled in a love triangle, her behaviour towards her favourite students becomes increasingly manipulative.
Unfortunately this film is not available to stream or rent online.
It is also currently out of print on physical media so if you want to see it you will need to buy a pre-owned dvd for about £15+ online.
Another example of not "EVERYTHING BEING AVAILABLE ON STREAMING" as people love to say.
Gosford Park (2001)
Directed by Robert Altman, Written by Julian Fellowes, Produced by Robert Altman, Bob Balaban, David Levy, Music by Patrick Doyle, Cinematography by Andrew Dunn, Edited by Tim Squyres, Starring Eileen Atkins, Bob Balaban, Alan Bates, Charles Dance, Stephen Fry, Michael Gambon,
Richard E. Grant, Derek Jacobi, Kelly Macdonald, Helen Mirren, Jeremy Northam,
Clive Owen, Ryan Phillippe, Maggie Smith,
Kristin Scott Thomas & Emily Watson
a unique film with a truly outstanding ensemble cast. Set in the 1930's, "Gosford Park" brings a group of pretentious rich and famous together for a weekend of relaxation. But when a murder occurs, each one of these interesting characters becomes a suspect.
This film is what birthed the TV phenomenon that was "Downton Abbey" this film was written by the shows creator Julian Fellowes and Downton Abbey was originally conceived to be a TV spin off of Gosford Park but during development became it's own thing.
This film is widely available to stream on Disney+, Prime Video & ITVX
or you can rent it via Apple TV or Prime for £1.99
The Lady in the Van (2015)
Directed by Nicholas Hytner, Screenplay by Alan Bennett, Based on The Lady in the Van
by Alan Bennett, Produced byNicholas Hytner, Damian Jones & Kevin Loader,
Music by George Fenton, Cinematography by Andrew Dunn, Edited by Tariq Anwar,
Starring Maggie Smith, Alex Jennings,
Jim Broadbent, Frances de la Tour &
Roger Allam.
The true story of Miss Shepherd, an eccentric woman of uncertain origins, who `temporarily' parked her broken-down van in writer Alan Bennett's London driveway, and proceeded to live there for the next 15 years.
This film is not available on a streaming service. You can rent the film via Prime or Apple TV for £3.49
Or you can buy the film on DVD for £6.99 from HMV.
