Eli Wallach
Why "General" speaks like "Tuco"(The good, the bad ....)??
shareProbably for the same reason that all the cast members of TV's Mission Impossible series (with the exception of Greg Morris, who was usually doing his genius tech work in a sewer) used the same pseudo-Eastern European accent, regardless of what part of the world they were supposed to be in. Dot ees, eet vaz dee only accent dey could manitch. Same goes for Eli Wallach, I think.
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Well, I wrote Mr. Wallach a fan letter about this specific role in this specific movie in the late Nineties, and he actually wrote me a fairly detailed letter in reply. That alone puts him in my Cool Book forever.
Ozymandias312
And I stood where I did be; for there was no more use to run; And again I lookt with my hope gone.
Well for goodness sake Ozy (sorry, I know you a bit from The Duellists board) what did Mr. Wallach say about his role? Personally, I thought he did a fine job as the General.
"I told you it was off." The Jackal
To dsbjpo: I thought he did a mighty fine job too, and I told him so in my letter.
He told me it was one of his favorite roles, and among those he was proudest of.
I apologize for not seeing and replying to your post until now. I have been a little unwell.
Ozy
And I stood where I did be; for there was no more use to run; And again I lookt with my hope gone.
Why thank you Oz.
Interesting he considered it one of his favorite roles and some of his finest acting. And, especially cool he responded to your letter. I thought he was very believable and that his accent sounded French, as if he had come from the Indochina area.
No problem about a delayed reply. My recent postings will show I've been a bit unwell myself from a glimpse of, as Eli said in the movie, "obleevion".
"I told you it was off." The Jackal
Yeah, I always took it that he was supposed to be French too. I believe there was a strong French presence in that part of the world back then (circa 1890?).
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Ozy
And I stood where I did be; for there was no more use to run; And again I lookt with my hope gone.
Agreed, his accent was French. Some of the natives spoke it too, which makes sense. The French occupied colonies in that area (Vietnam for instance).
When I'm gone I would like something to be named after me. A psychiatric disorder, for example.
Personally, I believe acting honors should have gone to Paul Lukas..others were merely caricatures...especially Wallach and Mason ..
shareI also thought the performances by Wallach and Mason are top-notch within this story - what did Eli tell you in his letter?
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Well, it's been about fifteen or sixteen years, and I don't have the letter right here in front of me, but my recollection is that he said he really relished the chance to play a highly intelligent and charismatic bad guy.
Ozy
And I stood where I did be; for there was no more use to run; And again I lookt with my hope gone.
Gad, he must have been playing with you. This has to have been have been one of his worst performances. His accent was laughable - as pathetic as his leering & swaggering acting. What he must have relished were the buck$$$ & the travel to exotic locales. Hideously bad film, 1960s Hollywood at its worst.
shareI liked Tuco, I mean Eli Walach, heh, in Lord Jim. Yeah some of his mannerisms were very similar to Tuco, which came out in the next year I believe. But I was not put off by the accent. He was convincing to be sure.
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