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Who would you have cast as Denys instead of Redford?

posted 9 years ago by Maddyclassicfilms
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There has been some criticism over the years about Redford being cast to play Denys who was British. Who would you have cast instead of Redford?

I think Charles Dance would have been quite good in the role, this was released a year after he made the TV series The Jewel In The Crown, he was superb in that.

I have to say in Redford's defence that I think his performance is very good and I like him in the film. I also think he and Meryl have good chemistry.

It is my business to protect your majesty.... against all things.

[–] rascal67 9 years ago

I also think he and Meryl have good chemistry.

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It was a casting coup and part of the reason of the films success, was the pairing of Streep and Redford. Streep was considered at the top of her game and Redford's star may have been on a slight decline; but in spite of the criticism that he received for not being British—or sounding English—I can't think of anyone else, who would have been as compatible or ideal.

The intention of the film and it's style, may not have worked without Redford.

[–] Maddyclassicfilms 9 years ago

It was a casting coup and part of the reason of the films success, was the pairing of Streep and Redford. Streep was considered at the top of her game and Redford's star may have been on a slight decline; but in spite of the criticism that he received for not being British—or sounding English—I can't think of anyone else, who would have been as compatible or ideal.

I agree and I personally don't have a problem with him as Denys. I think other actors would have been good in the role but I bet Redford was what drew many people to the cinema to see this one upon release.

It is my business to protect your majesty.... against all things.

[–] MuMu2525 9 years ago

I always thought Michael Kitchen would have been better as Denys, but they cast him as Berkley.

Timothy Dalton might have made a good Denys at the time, though he wasn't a big star back then because it was a couple of years before he played James Bond.

There were some handsome British TV actors around at the time who would have made good romantic leads in that setting (Ray Lonnen comes to mind). Nigel Havers possibly (he'd already done A Passage To India). Had Pierce Brosnan never played Remington Steele, he also might have been a good choice (he's Irish but has an immaculate English accent).

[–] rascal67 9 years ago

If it was made for tv, or a smaller scale production, I think some of these actors may have been ideal. It was the Streep\Redford star power, that was the main drawcard and Pollack usually dealt with big names in his productions. Redford is Redford: but he is talented and he made his Denys likable, interesting and believable enough, to pull it off. I would even say his character and performance, was the 'soul' of the film. He was Karen's mentor and assisted in helping her find her own spirit and even heart. Bror was useless, unreliable and way too self-serving.

[–] MuMu2525 9 years ago

There's something about Redford's performance that bugs me a bit. I've never felt he was a great actor, though I accept he's a big star and a decent enough romantic lead (despite how he's insisted on being shot in very soft focus since the 80s). It's not just that he couldn't do an English accent, but its how he portrayed Denys as this "new man" who behaved more like he was from the late 20th century rather than the early 20th century. He was a little too evolved for the time period, I think mainly to make him likeable to 1980s audiences. And Redford had started to adopt these annoying little mannerisms in his performances by then too. Just little things like facial expressions or the way he delivers a line, but when you've watched this film as much as I have, it becomes more noticeable. I felt another actor might have done it better, but I'm not entirely sure who for such a big Hollywood production. It doesn't stop me enjoying the film one bit, and it's Streep who carries the film anyway because it's about her character (she was robbed at the Oscars that year), and the gorgeous locations and period setting make it a delight to watch again and again.

[–] rascal67 9 years ago

There's something about Redford's performance that bugs me a bit. I've never felt he was a great actor, though I accept he's a big star and a decent enough romantic lead......He was a little too evolved for the time period, I think mainly to make him likeable to 1980s audiences.......it's Streep who carries the film....
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That's what I meant, when I said 'Redford is Redford'. He has a charismatic screen persona, yet he acts like he is all on one level, delivering his performance; but not exactly giving one. His representation of Denys, was a though he was ahead of his time and he was the voice and presence of reason and more like an interactive narrator, revealing themes through his words and actions. I can't comment on how he comes over in writing; but Kurt Luedtke the screenwriter, blended several books together, to come up with his script. These anachronistic elements of Deny's personality, may have struck a chord with Luedtke, and worked for what was needed for the intended presentation of the film.

I agree on Streep here and I feel it is one performance of hers, that tends to get neglected, or doesn't get mentioned as much, as some of her earlier or later work. I feel she gives a very dignified and earnest performance. I can't complain about Page's win, as I think she gives a moving and gracious performance in BOUNTIFUL; but it wasn't exactly cinematic and was a sentimental win. I would have gone with Streep or Goldberg. I like Streep in SILKWOOD-83' the best.

[–] birthdaynoodle 9 years ago

MuMu, I couldn't agree more with everything that you've said. Another thing that bothers me about Redford's acting is that it tends to feel didactic and a bit patronizing, as if he made it his duty to inform the audience of his morally superior views in life, thus sacrificing subtlety in the process. Like you say, in Out of Africa he doesn't really come across as a European adventurer from the early 20th century and rather plays the role as a late 20th Century all-American ideal: always just, free and appropriately handsome. I nevertheless enjoyed the film and Streep's performance. Klaus Maria Brandauer is excellent.

[–] t-l-s 9 years ago

Charles Dance was in White Mischief a film made two years later and set in Kenya in the same period and he is far better for the real life role than Redford although i didn't mind redford in the film

[–] Maddyclassicfilms 9 years ago

Charles Dance was in White Mischief a film made two years later and set in Kenya in the same period and he is far better for the real life role than Redford although i didn't mind redford in the film.

Glad to see some more love for Dance. I think he would have been very good in the role, plus Denys was British not American.

Go to bed Frank or this is going to get ugly .

[–] Blubonnet_Spearman 9 years ago

Redford was a big star and the reason it was a big hit. Streep wasn't exactly box office gold. No name actors would never have been considered or thought of for the part. Suitability for a part of rarely considered when it comes to big budget movie making, it's about box office draw