There both Oscar winning actors and very often pick up each other's roles (Jean Brodie first offered to Vanessa and Peggy Ramsay first to Maggie for example)
Same generation of actors and often confused for one another.
Who's the greater actress?
Maggie by far!
shareMaggie Smith
shareRedgrave. Easily.
share(Jean Brodie first offered to Vanessa and Peggy Ramsay first to Maggie for example) So what happened? I mean, why did each of them not accept the roles that they were first offered? Was it due to scheduling conflicts, or did Maggie turn down the role of Ramsey? By the same token, why did Vanessa Redgrave not accept the role of Jean Brodie? I'm very glad she didn't, but I'm just curious.
I always heard Maggie say that she accepts the roles when offered to her. She said on one interview that she is not picky about roles, she's just so glad to be offered that she accepts essentially all the parts she's offered. So, when I hear that a part was first offered to her and then ended up being played by someone else, it makes me wonder if she must've really not liked the part to not accept it.
As to your question, I'm not sure who the greater actress is, because I enjoy them both – but I seem to prefer Maggie's type of films.
Maggie thankfully plays in mainly family-oriented and romantic films – the type of which I tend to enjoy the most. So, just for the sheer enjoyment of her filmography, I would have to give Maggie the edge. I also appreciate the fact that Maggie doesn't get into politics and force her opinions on other people. No offense to Vanessa, but these days, reserve equals respect in a world where everyone wants to act like their opinion is the only one that matters (e.g. Meryl Streep at the Golden Globes).
PS.
Just as an aside, I have long thought Maggie and Vanessa look quite alike. Anyone else agree? They seem to have a similar look in the eyes – especially during the 1970s and 80s.
Please excuse typos/funny wording; I use speech-recognition that doesn't always recognize!
<< why did Vanessa Redgrave not accept the role of Jean Brodie? >>
Redgrave did the original London stage production of THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE and essentially didn't like the character. She said something like "I won't play that fascist again."
THIS is her in the part (Olivia Hussey is third from the left, playing one of her students)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMFtLhsUAAAFuno.jpg
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Redgrave hands down.
shareThey are both great. I am glad they are both in this world.
shareThey are both great but Redgrave is one of the finest actresses ever. Love Maggie too, though!
share