Excalibur star Nicol Williamson dies aged 73

Daily Telegraph ^ | 25th January 2012 | Tim Walker

[the scotsman]

'Nicol Williamson, the star of Excalibur, who was described as 'the greatest actor since Marlon Brando', has died at the age of 73.

Barely three months after Inadmissible Evidence, the John Osborne play that made his name, was revived in London, Nicol Williamson has died, aged 73, in Holland.

The colourful Scot – who was described by Osborne as the greatest actor since Marlon Brando, and, by Samuel Beckett, as “touched by genius” – had not made a film since 1997’s superhero picture Spawn. He had, in recent years, been concentrating on music.

His son, Luke, by his former wife Jill Townsend, tells Mandrake that he died just before Christmas after a two-year fight with oesophageal cancer and was eager that no fuss should be made about his passing. To modern filmgoers, he is probably best known for The Exorcist III and for playing Merlin in Excalibur.'

[JRios1968]

[Rummyfan]

His Merlin is one of the greatest movie performances of all time.

[Comstock1]

A dream to some...a NIGHTMARE TO OTHERS!!!

[Timber Rattler]

The one and only Merlin, as far as I’m concerned.

[icwhatudo]

KNEEL BEFORE ZOD?

[C210N]

One of my all time fav' movies...

[kabar]

Great musical score and cinematography. One of my favorite movies—Excalibur.

[jimbo123]

Merlin: Looking at the cake is like looking at the future, until you’ve tasted it what do you really know? And then, of course, it’s too late.

[Arthur takes a bite]

Merlin: Too late.

[jimbo123]

Arthur: Merlin, where are you going?

Merlin: Where do you think? You have a kingdom to rule.

Arthur: But how? I don’t know how.

Merlin: You knew how to draw the sword from the stone.

Arthur: That was easy.

Merlin: Was it? I couldn’t have done it.

[Oratam]

I read where much of the interior sets of Excalibur were salvaged from a failed Lord of the Rings project.

R.I.P. Mr. Williamson.

[steelyourfaith]

Great movie. To this day my older daughter and I will still spontaneously recite lines of dialogue from this movie back and forth to each other.

[FortWorthPatriot]

Anál nathrach,
orth’ bháis’s bethad,
do chél dénmha!

[PetroniusMaximus]

The ever-present “magical” green light ruined it for me.

[Sans-Culotte]

Williamson's most memorable role for me will always be HAMLET in the film made of Tony Richardson's production. His was the first Hamlet I ever saw, and I was amazed at how easy it was to follow. Started me off as a Shakespeare lover at an early age. The production featured a young Anthony Hopkins as the King and folk-singer Marianne Faithful as Ophelia. It's not my favorite version; but still worth watching and a great beginner's Hamlet.

[cardinal4]

good job, guys. I was wondering what movie I was going to watch today. I bought this one out of the five dollar rack at Wal Mart..

[Joe 6-pack]

"The ever-present “magical” green light ruined it for me."

They didn't have a choice; it was a mandatory effect in all '70s Sci-Fi/Fantasy cinema :-)

[Anti-Bubba182]

It was a Great performance! May he rest in peace.

[AnAmericanAbroad]

Sad to hear. R.I.P.

For me, his Merlin was the definitive Merlin; an unforgettable performance.

[Cincinatus]

Also a great Sherlock Holmes in The Seven Percent Solution. R.I.P., Mr. Williamson.