Posted on 02/28/2015 11:52:40 AM PST by PJ-Comix
One thing that bugs me about certain films is when a foreign character is played by an obviously "too American" actor. It doesn't mean the film is ruined but often great movies are jarring when that obviously "too American" actor has a scene. One such movie that was otherwise great was "The Blue Max." It had great aerial combat scenes but it bothered me that the lead character, Lt. Bruno Stachel was being portrayed by the way too American George Peppard.
Then there was "Amadeus" in which Mozart was portrayed as if he were a crazy American frat boy by Tom Hulce.
Tom Cruise as Count Stauffenberg? I don't buy that either.
Of, course there is the greatest miscasting example of all time when Genghis Khan was played by the All American Duke Wayne.
The most obvious example to me was Kevin Costner as Robin Hood.
The only hope these movies have of breaking even or making money is if American audiences are willing to pay to see them.
There are plenty of minor, low grossing movies with foreign not American looking actors. Few people ever watch them. Few ever make any money.
My mother always complained that American Indians were played by heavily made-up white Americans...complete with Yankee accents...
Madeline Kahn playing Lili Von Shtupp in “Blazing Saddles”...
The Conqueror. The Duke as Genghis Khan, ugh.
Actors should be a bit better in their portrayal of foreign characters, I can agree with that.
However, the names you mentioned are big draws throughout the world and people regard their participation as a guarantee of a good movie or nothing more than see someone on screen whom you like. Since the majority of the cash flowing to Hollywood comes from overseas it isn’t going to change.
Film scholars have stated that Curtis never said that line, but Curtis was ripped by many film critics for his barely disguised Bronx accent.
“The most obvious example to me was Kevin Costner as Robin Hood.”
Or as anybody for that matter.
Genghis Duke: “ I feel this Tartar woman is for me, and my blood says, take her. There are moments for wisdom and moments when I listen to my blood; my blood says, take this Tartar woman.”
I almost forgot: Jeffrey Hunter as Jesus.
And serve her with tarter sauce.
“Woman, I take ya fer wife!”
Dick Shawn as hitler in the Original “Producers”?
He sucked as the first Captain Kirk too.
Dick Van Dyke as a Cockney.
Tom Cruise in Valkyrie
Tom Cruise as anybody. LOL
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