I've always liked Stephen Boyd and thought he didn't have as big a career as he should have. That speaking voice was quite beautiful, but why did the director let the Irish accent creep in at times? It's not there all the time, but there are two or three lines where it's so strong that it's almost funny.
shareStephen Boyd was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland
shareHe made a better heavy than a leading man.
shareI think he was a fine leading man in this and the Irish accent, although it does sound a little odd in context, is rather sweet! I much prefer this and The Fall of the Roman Empire to some of the heavy roles he did, where he wasn't quite as convincing. But it is interesting to read your comment Druxy.
Incidentally did he do his own singing as Sam or not? Some songs it sounds like his voice (or a very good match); others I'm not so sure.
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http://www.thewonderfulworldofgarybond.com/
He is dubbed by a singer named James Joyce.
shareThe Irish accent sounds just fine.
shareHe was a heavy for sure - loved him as a nazi spy in the man who never was. As a leading man he did not have that sympathetic character that good ones have.
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What The hell is wrong with an Irishmen having an Irish accent?
shareTons when he conceals it 95% of the time and then it suddenly crops up on certain words making them sound laughable if you don't realize the man is Irish trying to disguise his accent. It makes it sound more like a speech impediment.
shareWhen he started his career he spent sometime in Canada. At the time a Belfast accent was considered too rough for English tastes so Stephen Boyd affected a Canadian accent to get work in England. Only very late in his career was his real accent used in film. Watch "The Squeeze"to hear his Belfast accent!
shareI personally think it'd be a more enjoyable movie if they'd just let him speak as he normally did. I enjoyed him, but he came across as rather wooden.
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