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The irony of Peter McNichol being embarrassed by this

posted 11 years ago by tmitch-1
9 replies | jump to latest

The fact that Peter McNichol says he's embarrassed by this film has to be the most ironic piece of movie trivia ever - considering he's the only real weak component of the movie.

Great photography, special effects that were awesome for the time - and still hold up well today, solid story, and a multitude of talented actors including the great Ralph Richardson. About the only thing that dragged this movie down was the short, average-looking, and rather annoying male lead - Peter McNichol - who would later say this movie 'embarrassed' him.

I guess he had his sights set on bigger and better things - like 'Ally McBeal.'

[–] denham 11 years ago

I haven't seen exactly what MacNicol said, but could it be that what he's embarrassed about is his own performance in the film? Actors do sometimes have such thoughts about earlier work.

"I beseech ye in the bowels of Christ, think that ye may be mistaken."

[–] kramsey20 11 years ago

McNichol shouldn't be embarrassed. He was very good in this film as the unlikely hero.

[–] Tyler-A-Arse 10 years ago

I thought his character was really cheesy. But wasn't that suppose to be the correct portrayal? If so, then he did play the role well.

[–] Blueghost 11 years ago

Was he embarrassed by the project, his participation in it, or something else?

I think it's one of the great fantasy films of all time. Like you said, it's incredibly well shot. Lots of British talent in front of and behind the camera. I can't imagine anyone being embarrassed by their participation in this project.

[–] Raging-Bullwinkle 10 years ago

Warning - Spoilers

IMHO -
MacNicol should not be embarrassed by his performance or the movie.
He could have sunk the whole production with an over-the-top, wooden, or just plain incompetent performance.

I completely bought his sincerity. His bumbling not-yet-ready to be a Wizard actions were really good. He wasn't a coward, but he was a little too full of himself, figuring that Ulrich was dead, so he was the only one who could do something about the dragon. He was a competent enough Wizard's apprentice to figure things out in the end, even though he very nearly got himself killed in the process. I think someone on another thread called him an "unlikely hero". I think that fits.

I was 24 when I first saw the film and thoroughly enjoyed it. I got a little burned out on it due to the excessive number of its cable TV broadcasts back then (as other posters have mentioned). But, I just saw it again recently for the first time in at least 20 years and was presently surprised at how well it has aged. If Peter MacNicol is embarrassed to be associated with it, it's too bad.

________________________________________________________________________________

"With or without a parachute?"

[–] buckaroobanzai50 10 years ago

The fact that Peter McNichol says he's embarrassed by this film has to be the most ironic piece of movie trivia ever - considering he's the only real weak component of the movie.

He should be really embarrassed about this instead: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097428/?ref_=nv_sr_1

[–] Jaybone23 9 years ago

I read that bit of trivia and wondered if it was true. If he indeed said such a thing, it must've been before he realized how difficult it is for an actor to find not just quality work, but work in general...or before he worked on "Baby Geniuses".

Or is it because, in The Dragonslayer, for a brief moment, we see his junk?

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] cultfilmfreaksdotcom 8 years ago

Plus his character was too confident, too soon. He didn't really ever get fleshed-out. He was this little apprentice once minute and the next he's a cocky wizard who's smooth with the ladies... or, lady. No character arc. Not sure if this is his fault, his acting, or the script.

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