Richard Attenborough Tribute

I have just heard the sad news that another screen legend has passed away. Lord Richard Attenborough the incomparable British Actor and Director passed away today at the age of 90.

Many images come to mind; a kindly old man in white with an amber headed cane who wanted to create a theme park with Dinosaurs. This was of course John Hammond in the great Steven Spielberg classic Jurassic Park (1993) of which many people when they see or hear his name have associated him with for over 20 years.

However this was much later in his career, that same year he was honoured by the queen for his stage work and his talent in front of and behind the camera. Attenborough's crowning acheivement in the world of film will likely be remembered as the Oscar winning Best Picture of 1982 Gandhi of which Attenborough directed stunningly and was awarded with the Best Director statuette that year.

But what may not be widely known is how prominent he was behind the scenes of cinema, the efforts he went to to preserve and establish film especially the British film industry which gave him his start in the early 1940's. He came onto the scene in 1942 but got critics and audiences attention with Brighton Rock (1947) playing Pinkie Brown. I cannot profess to have seen many of his films but there are a handful of stand out roles for which I greatly admire him. Nobody can forget Big X in The Great Escape (1963) the brains behind the operation, this film showed off his subtle acting talents and put him together with a group of the finest actors of the era. The original The Flight of the Phoenix (1965) put him toe to toe with legendary James Stewart. And a film I will always remember for the exquisite performance is that of the murderer Christie in 10 Rillington Place (1971) superb performing in a tension filled but downplayed British thriller.

However for me, my memory of Richard Attenborough is ingrained in my imagination from my childhood; Richard Attenborough will always be, as he has every year since I was old enough to watch a movie Santa Clause. Miracle on 34th Street (1994) is the quintessential Christmas movie and one of the rare occurrences a remake is as good if not better than the original (made in 1947 with Edmund Gwenn). Every year I watch this ultimate feel good movie and marvel at the man in the red suit who just makes you believe in goodness and generosity. It is one of my holiday favourites and I will watch it every year and continue to do so until I'm too old to watch films.

I personally thank Richard Attenborough for his great legacy of film work, setting children's imaginations wild with dinosaurs and making at least this little girl believe in Santa much longer than is probably acceptable.

RIP Richard Attenborough.