Sir Tom Courtenay- Acting should be always more important than money and visual effects
Written by Eva Csölleová, Vítek Formánek
English actor Tom Courtenay, who was knighted in 2001 and can use title Sir was born on 25.2.1937 in Hull.He attended Kingston High School, then London University College.He inclined to acting, notably to theatre and hence he signed himself to Royal Academy of dramatic art. His theatre debut was nothing smaller than Raven from A.P. Čechov performed in legendry Old Vic Theatre. Soon after that he was discovered by movie and his film debut was in 1962.His second movie” Loneliness of long distance runner” was huge success.Then followed film after film and more success came with “ Billy Liar”, “Operation Crossbow”, “King Rat” and” Doctor Zhivago” for which he received Academy award nomination.During 70´s he devoted his time to theatre and film drafted him back in 1983 and film “ Dresser” brought him second nomination for Academy award. In 1990 he acted in Czech movie “ Last Butterfly” directed by Karel Kachyňa, but this film flops due to political changes in Czech Republic, when people had other interests than film. Sir Tom makes films to these days and he devotes more time to his love- theatre.He is surely a modest man since he always replied our letter with his handwritten one.
"Prague is beautiful city and I will always
think of my stay there with love"
We saw you firstly in movies called “ King Rat” shown here already during communism and later on in “ Operation Crossbow”.According to which criteria do you pick up the films?
I chose “ King Rat” part because I wanted to get to Hollywood.Once I got there and stayed there for 3 months I could not wait to get back to England.” Operation Crossbow” was accepted because I wanted to play with excellent actors John Mills and Trevor Howard.
You started your filming career with two very successful movies for which you were awarded.Is it good for actor cos he puts himself into shop window and there can be plentyfull of offers, or is it bad cos he sets up his standarts far too high and maybe can fail fulfilling the expectations?
On one side it´s pleasant and exciting but of course it had it´s dark side too.I had no previous experience since I left dramatic school shortly before that.So I felt bit tied up with expectations, really.
You also played in legendary “ Doctor Zhivago” for which you were nominated for Academy award.Why do you think this movie was so exceptional, that it became almost a cult movie?
Pretty easy answer really.Director David Lean was exceptional story teller.
The film” Dresser” became your pivotal film, another Academy award nomination.You played Norman also on theatre.Could you make use of your theatrical experience in film?
Yes, I played Norman in London, Manchester and later on in New York, so because the film was made after that I had plenty of time to get under the skin of that character and understand him perfectly.
You were also starring in “ Last butterfly” of our director Karel Kachyňa. How it happened that you, famous actor acted ion Czech movie?
It was offered to me by Czech side.But it was very difficult since I had to learn dumbshow.Boris Hubner helped me big time and I liked cooperating with him.He is nice man.We also filmed in Terezín, which was pretty tough experience since everybody knew what happened there.It helped to get under the skin of main character so I feel sorry that a film was a flop.
You were here during “ Velver revolution” weren´t you?
Oh, yeah, it was very exciting.One evening Boris Hubner called me to my hotel room and with excited voice told me” Czechoslovakia is free again”.Prague is beautiful city and I will always think of my stay there with love.
When you started filming in 60.´s did you have to have classical film education or it could happen that somebody with charisma and good look could get a contract for movie without any experience?
Well, I can´t speak for others, but me personally went to Royal Academy of dramatic art so I started my first film as raw graduate but I did have the education.I could say that I was discovered earlier than I got enough experience.
In 60´s was artistic aspect more important than financial one or profit and marketability was important even at that time?
Again I can speak only for myself. I always put artistic value on the first place which is why I am not rich nowadays.
If you get a chance to star in independent movie which would satisfy your artistic ambitions and would be offered 10 000 USD and you would get a chance to play in silly comedy or horror which wouldn´t be your cuppa tea for 500 000 USD what would you choose?
I still would put my artistic satisfaction first so although it may sound strange, I would take 10 000 USD offer.
From artistic point of view, if you could compare your 60´s and time after 2000 where would you see the biggest changes?
These days there is much less interest in theatre which is shame.
How do you look at independent film and filmmakers? Are you their fan?
I am afraid I must upset you but I know noting about independent film makers.
Have you ever had ambitions to direct a movie or tell the story of something which was deep inside you?
No, directing never really appealed to me so I wouldn´t do that. But I did write a book called “Dear Tom” which was about my mother.
If you follow the current trend of cinematography, don´t you wish to be back in 60´s, when acting was more important then technology and visual effects?
I think that acting should be always, at any time, the most important aspect of the film, it should be the most important thing.
If we invite you for our cinema Festival Open as a guest, would you come?
Thank you for your kind invitation, but I don´t like film festivals.