Alan
Rickman Top Ten
Alan
Rickman has established himself over the years as one of Britain’s
best thespians, and has become something of a national treasure as
he’s demonstrated his fantastic range over and over again. He’s
also turned his hand to directing- with his latest stint behind the
camera also reuniting him with former co-star Kate Winslet. To
celebrate the release of A Little Chaos,
available on digital platforms from 10th August, 2015, and on Blu-ray
and DVD from 24th August, 2015, courtesy of Lionsgate Home
Entertainment, we take a look back at some of
his other most memorable roles.
A
Little Chaos (2015)
Rickman is
reunited with Kate Winslet, as well as taking on directing duties, in
this wonderfully romantic period drama set in 17th
Century France. When brilliantly talented landscape gardener Madame
Sabine De Barra (Winslet) finds herself an unlikely candidate for
landscape architect of the still‐to-be-completed Palace of
Versailles, she is thrown into the bewildering world of the court of
King Louis XIV (Rickman). She has little time for the classical,
ordered designs of her employer, the famous architect Le Nôtre
(Matthias Schoenaerts), but as she works on her creation, she finds
herself irresistibly drawn to him, while attempting to negotiate the
perilous rivalries and intricate etiquette of the court.
The
Harry Potter series (2001 – 2011)
Taking on
the role of one of the most well-known and debated characters in
modern children’s literature is no easy task, but Rickman managed
it in spectacular fashion as Professor Snape in the adaptations of JK
Rowling’s record-breaking novels. Much of the tension throughout
the eight films comes from the ongoing question of exactly where
Snape’s loyalties really lie, and Rickman delivers a pitch-perfect
performance as the sneering, bitter, but ultimately tragic double
agent.
Love
Actually (2003)
Richard
Curtis’ sugary-sweet ode to London, love and Christmas weaves
together several strands into one quintessentially British, and yes,
quite saccharine portmanteau with a mind-bogglingly star-studded
cast. Rickman stars opposite Emma Thompson as Harry and Karen, a
happily married couple who find their relationship tested when he’s
tempted to stray following the attentions of his colleague Mia
(played with pantomime levels of femme fatale-villainy by Heike
Makatsch).
Die
Hard (1988)
John
McTiernan directed this high octane thriller about John McClane
(Bruce Willis), officer of the NYPD, who is on a mission to save his
wife and several others when they are taken hostage by German
terrorists. Rickman plays German madman Hans Gruber, and obviously
relished every second of it. His take on the action-hero evil
mastermind is endlessly quotable and almost charming enough for the
audience to end up rooting for him.
Truly
Madly Deeply (1990)
Like the
film Ghost, but
British and arguably better. Juliet Stevenson plays a British woman
who tries to overcome the death of her musician lover, played by
Rickman. Stevenson begins an affair with Rickman’s ghost, even
playing host to some of his dead friends. It is sharply scripted and
beautifully acted by all, but particularly Rickman, who brings charm
to a literally dead role. Plus, who doesn’t want to hear Professor
Snape sing a ballad?
Robin
Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
This take
on the classic tale may not have done particularly well at the box
office, but since its release has become a cult favourite, and with
good reason-it’s an outstandingly entertaining adaptation of the
much-loved legend. Rickman steals every scene he’s in as the
villainous Sheriff of Nottingham, more than holding own opposite
Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman and Christian Slater.
Sense
and Sensibility (1995)
Ang
Lee directed this adaptation of the Jane Austen classic, and Emma
Thompson won a thoroughly deserved Oscar for her adapted screenplay.
She also turns in a pitch-perfect performance as the put-upon Elinor
Dashwood, ably supported by Kate Winslet as flighty younger sister
Marianne, while Rickman, Hugh Grant and Greg Wise play the various
suitors which the Dashwood sisters must navigate. Rickman
particularly stands out as the tortured, brooding Colonel Brandon,
who finds a new lease of life when introduced to the bright, breezy
Marianne.
Rasputin
(1996)
This
HBO biopic about the infamous “sorcerer” Rasputin from the court
of Tsar Nicholas of Russia features a memorable performance from
Rickman in the titular role. He’s joined by an incredible ensemble
cast, including Ian McKellen and Greta Scacchi, which makes for a
thoroughly entertaining film, in which Rickman’s melodramatic,
outstanding portrayal leaves audiences pondering, ‘was this more
than a man’?
Sweeney
Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
Rickman
demonstrates his incredible range in Tim Burton’s slightly barmy
but brilliant musical. Although singing isn’t one of his strengths,
his performance as Judge Turpin is fantastic. Taking on the role of
the man who ruins Sweeney Todd’s life, Rickman manages to deepen
the role, making his character one of the most memorable- no small
task in a cast that includes Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and
Sacha Baron Cohen.
Lee
Daniel’s The Butler (2013)
This
historical drama tells the story of a White House butler, played by
Forest Whitaker, who served eight American presidents over three
decades. Rickman
stars as former US president Ronald Reagan alongside an amazing cast
which includes
the late, great Robin Williams, John Cusack, James Marsden and
Liev Schreiber.
Though many debated the portrayal of Reagan, particularly his views
on race, no one could argue that Rickman’s performance was amazing
to watch.
A
Little Chaos is available on digital platforms from 10th August,
2015, and on Blu-ray and DVD from 24th August, 2015, courtesy of
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
