I have heard that a number of actors and actresses turned down the roles that were eventually given to Dirk Bogarde and Sylvia Syms. Does anybody the identity of any of those actors and actresses who refused to play those roles?
shareI don't know who turned down the Syms role but think the male lead was turned down by James Mason & Jack Hawkins. Quite possibly there are other stars who also turned the role down .
shareThank you for letting me know about James Mason and Jack Hawkins who both probably turned down the male lead role. I expect Jack Hawkins was chosen because he seemed to have had a good working relationship with the director, Basil Dearden. I would think that Jack Hawkins in particular may have been a bit protective of his masculine image on screen. He and James Mason would probably think that male lead couldn't possibly be played in their usual masculine way. But I think Dirk Bogarde plays it very well without resorting to a stereotypical type.
shareAccording to Bogarde's biographer, Hawkins was signed to start shooting Lawrence of Arabia and couldn't commit to Victim. At least that's the reason he gave.
"I'm afraid that you underestimate the number of subjects in which I take an interest!"
Thank you for confirming that Jack Hawkins was one of the actors who refused to play in 'Victim.' I don't know when he was asked to get ready for 'Lawrence of Arabia.' Perhaps the excuse may have been a diplomatic one. And was kept on as a valid one by his biographer.
shareLawrence was in gestation for over two years so it's plausible. But you're right, Hawkins may have used that excuse to get out of a role he didn't feel comfortable with.
"I'm afraid that you underestimate the number of subjects in which I take an interest!"
Hawkins also had cancer had the time and his voice was severely affected.
It's that man again!!
I've just hear a radio drama about the making of 'Victim.' It confirms what you have said why Jack Hawkins turned it down.
The drama went on to say that originally the film planners were looking for a man in his 50s to play the lead. When they ran out of options, they started looking for an actor in his 40s. Dirk Bogarde was the first name they had thought of. Bogarde has just got out of his contract with Rank. He had been unhappy with the roles he had been getting. He jumped at his chance to get a more meaningful part. He was key as he was able to change the script just a little that made the real scene, with his wife Sylvia Syms, so dramatic.