Dear Errol Fans,
As Arnold might say; “I'm back.” I have been busy doing research for a project, but now that it is done, I'm keen to get back to the Blog.
I have a question for the readers: I recently saw a trailer for the new 'Robin Hood' and it got me thinking. I would love to see a movie about Errol done by Ridley Scott. Something not at all romantic, but gritty, hard-hitting and all too realistic. Ridley has directed 'Alien', 'Bladerunner', 'Gladiator', 'Blackhawk Down', 'Kingdom of Heaven', American Gangster' and other wildly successful movies that have a certain “Theme” to them. Errol's story has enough highs and lows for ten Greek comedy's and tragedy's. The gritty reality of Errol's life is the stuff of legends. I believe people are much more sophisticated these days and will not tolerate a “cardboard hero” defeating “cardboard bad guys” as in the past. I believe this is a golden opportunity for a visionary film-maker to tell a no-nonsense story, and there is no lack of real adventure, action or romance in the true story.
Errol was a man after all, not just a figure on a screen. His life was filled with all the 'day to day drama's' we all experience. He was neither devil nor saint, but something in between.(Like us all, I think) I think he has a story to tell that up to now, has not been told. We have mostly been told only the 'high points' and the “spin”.For an example, think of the new 'James Bond' movies with it's much more believable and human lead actor. Something like that. I believe it would be a blockbuster if done correctly. Now mind you, some fans would be horrified and upset, and some even turned off by the film, but I think it might start a new generation of Errol fans who would find out what we all know: Errol Flynn was quite possibly the most intriguing person to come along in a hundred or more years, maybe ever.
I'm sure you all have strong opinions and that is good. So tell me what you think.
John
— john
Anonymous
May 3, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Good idea. But not in the hands of Ridley Scott.
Anonymous
May 3, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Why not? I think Ridley would do a hell of a job, but mind you, it would would 'raise hackles' and cause 'great gnashing of teeth' to die-hard Errol fans. I say; Good. I think an Errol that is portrayed as good/bad nasty/nice but 'down in the dirt human' like us all would be a breath of fresh air. I am frankly turned off by the old “cannot do wrong” image that was, after all not pushed by Errol, but by his handlers and the studio. I think Errol would love it. He was that kind of guy. Oh by the way, I sent David a 'before and after' CD concerning Folly Mansion in JA and I asked him to get you a copy, or I can send one myself. I think you would like it. It was a SOB to make but I did it. JOHN
Anonymous
May 3, 2010 at 8:53 pm
That's right – NOT Ridley Scott. He's got the Midas touch manque – the moment he gets his hands on something it turns leaden. Same for his buddy Russell Crowe – who'd probably want to play Flynn, since he obviously thinks he can play anything, including comedy and a Nobel Prize mathematician. To paraphrase Nietzsche, his art sweats. Flynn wasn't earthy but lyrical. It'd be hard to find the right guy to play him. In any event, think lightness of touch. Kevin Kline would have been okay, I think, twenty years ago – though probably not quite virile enough. If not Crowe, you probably do need an Australian, though, since they've still got that archaic masculinity combined with a wicked humor and real sense of fun.
Anonymous
May 3, 2010 at 9:05 pm
You are spot on, Kevin. A sense of the lyrical is exactly what the ham-fisted Ridley Scott would lack. And it has nothing to do with wanting a good boy portrayal of Flynn.
Anonymous
May 3, 2010 at 9:16 pm
Check – not to mention the utter charmlessness of his movies. Even an action-maniac like Curtiz could get Flynn's charm across. And I'm not for a goody-good portrayal either – John's got the right idea. I myself am giving Flynn the business in my poem-bio.
Anonymous
May 3, 2010 at 9:24 pm
Don't go TOO tough on the old boy, though; he's taken more than his share of cuts.
Anonymous
May 3, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Tough love.
Anonymous
May 3, 2010 at 10:19 pm
No,thank you. But I'm not in a forgiving state of mind after old Russell Crowe downed Flynn as Robin Hood.
The Adventures of Robin Hood is a classic for a reason.
Anonymous
May 4, 2010 at 1:50 am
Hi Kevin;
Russel Crow – never ever – he is no Errol in any way shape or form – But – Clive Standen, there is the greatest possibility. He plays the Archer in Robin Hood, he has charm, British accent which could be modified, he could train to be an Errol – he is an actor – right!
But most important he is the only known actor who looks the closest to Errol. It is most important when some actor portrays a famous person and does not look like the subject most of the efforts are in vain. The public cannot relate to the subject person (Errol), with Clive Standen they certainly could!
Now you are able to compare the great likeness in appearance!
Same hairline, same shape of face, very similar features!
He would make a believable Errol – nothing against Jude Law or Duncan Regehr they tried or any others seen so far.
What is your opinion?
Anonymous
May 4, 2010 at 2:07 am
I found it very hard to find pictures of Errol in which he is not smiling to be able to compare the features with Clive Standen.
I have hundreds of pictures and in all of them he is smiling. He sure was a smiley baby! The smiling Cavalier!
Anonymous
May 4, 2010 at 6:47 am
Love the comparing going on!
Anonymous
May 4, 2010 at 6:48 am
Elayna, what did Crowe have to say about EF?
Anonymous
May 4, 2010 at 7:07 am
What about Luke Flynn to portray his grandfather? Isn't he just doing a project where he does… is anything known about it?
Anonymous
May 4, 2010 at 10:14 am
Tina, I agree – Clive could well be the heir apparent. He's got the wariness. Comb his hair, put a little Flynn moustache on him, put him on a yacht, and you're good as gold. Who plays Lili?
Anonymous
May 4, 2010 at 3:29 pm
I think their might have to be two actors. One to portray the 'young Flynn' and maybe another to portray the 'older Flynn'. Errol really went downhill in the last ten years and his appearance changed drastically. Maybe the right make up would do it, but it would be a 'stretch'. Clive does look the part though. I believe you would need a very strong director though (and an equally strong producer), and if Ridley is not the one, then who? Great motion picture directors are scarce as hens teeth these days. The John Huston's and Frank Capra's are long gone. Maybe Michael Cimino? He's a bastard to work with, but when he's good, He's great. John
Anonymous
May 4, 2010 at 3:33 pm
Maybe Russell Crowe could play Alan Hale Sr. He would have to ditch the accent though. How about Mel Gibson for the part of the 'older' Flynn?
Anonymous
May 4, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Hi Inga;
Luke is not a look-a-like of Errol and he is not an accomplished actor as of yet. To play Errol one has to bring a lot of experience to the job, plus and most important he has to be a look-a-like, otherwise one does not get the feeling or get into the mood that one is watching Errol's life! I wonder who could be the person to write the script – maybe a three part epic! Oh boy!
Anonymous
May 4, 2010 at 7:14 pm
I think Steve Buscemi would be perfect.
Anonymous
May 4, 2010 at 7:23 pm
Hi Kevin;
Maybe new actress could be found for Lili!
A little fun pan – how difficult would it be throwing objects at Errol, stage fits of temper tantrums and drag him through the courts!
Ooh la la!
Anonymous
May 4, 2010 at 7:53 pm
Ellen Degeneres would make a great Lili.
Anonymous
May 4, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Hi John;
Good to have you back on the Blog, we missed you!
Interesting conversations about making a movie of Errol! Really exciting if I may say so. How could this become reality?
Who would write the script??? A most critical venture in the scheme of this adventure!
You say Mel Gibson for the older Errol that would not work it has to be one actor all the way through – the make up people can do wonders! Also, Mel Gibson is much to short 5'91/2″ and definitely not the type to be an Errol! You are saying Errol lost his looks the last 10 years of his life, sorry I have to totally disagree with you. Yes he aged somewhat, but only started really to look worn around 1958.
There are many pictures to proof that point. When one grows older one is not so photogenic anymore and maybe the pictures sometimes were not as favorable as in the earlier years, but he still looked good until and around 1958, after that his looks diminished quite suddenly, most likely as his health was shot beyond any help. It is so sad!
Did you see the Clive Standen “You Tube” presentation I posted?
Also did hear Sean Flynn sing?
Take care – love to hear from you!
Anonymous
May 4, 2010 at 9:34 pm
John, you look big Big Boy Williams and I'll make a confession – the reason I got interested in Flynn in the first place is that I LOOK EXACTLY LIKE HIM. We can put an end to our search right here – for the older Flynn, of course, since I'm a nicely dissipated 48.
Anonymous
May 4, 2010 at 9:40 pm
???
www.facebook.com…..1
Anonymous
May 4, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Robert, I thought I saw a vague resemblance to Theo Flynn. Ellen can be Marelle.
Anonymous
May 5, 2010 at 2:55 am
Hello Everyone! I agree with Tina, Clive really is the closest image to our Errol, those comparrisons were incredible! But better yet, who could portray Olivia, hmm.
Anonymous
May 5, 2010 at 4:07 am
Hi Tammy:
Hmm – you are right, I think that is the hardest question!
Errols and Olivias are not running around by the dozen!
That is the beauty of it, they were unique! One in Billions!
Anonymous
May 5, 2010 at 5:53 am
Not sure about Olivia just yet, but I just watched The Good Wife and I think she is perfect for Damita.
Anonymous
May 5, 2010 at 5:55 am
Is Jack Marino a producer or a director or both? Wouldn't he be a good choice??
Anonymous
May 5, 2010 at 8:56 am
3 parts would not be enough… honestly, i think nobody can do this because there would be so much to be considered to give a true account of errol's 18,000 something days on this earth. and i think there would be more people who'd be disappointed in the outcome than delighted. i think one should not touch upon a legend like errol, this would only make it worse, especially if it's not done with one's full heart!
however, what would be funny would be if we here tried to write a script…. :-))
Anonymous
May 5, 2010 at 8:59 am
tina,
i completely agree with you, you really wrote down what has been moving me in the bottom of my heart. nobody can look the same when he is 30 or 50, and i really hate it when people say that errol did not look good anymore when he was older. it really hurts, and if each of us just looks at pictures of himself age 20 and age 40, you will surely spot a difference. thanks, tina, for saying this!!!
Anonymous
May 5, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Errol Flynn was a combination of great looks, high intelligence, and colorful personality. Choosing actors to play real-life characters on the basis of similar looks ignores the other two critical components. Flynn was truly unique, and that uniqueness was formed by unparalleled life experiences. To find a modern actor able to convey all of those qualities is near impossible, regardless of how much he looks like Flynn. That is why these projects usually fall short (unless they are about someone from the distant past whose personality was never recorded for our comparison), and why I would vote to keep Errol Flynn free of an inevitably faulty bio-pic.
Anonymous
May 5, 2010 at 9:36 pm
I agree. Kevin Kiernan
Anonymous
May 5, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Robzie, I think you are wrong. For a person who is keen on the “before and after” I am shocked to hear that from you. Life is all about change, and those who cannot change with the times are destined to the trash bin. Just like Errol changed the landscape in films, why not new blood also doing the same? I bet a new actor (the right one) could also change the landscape. No offense, but the world belongs to the young and idealistic. I am sure the same negative things were said about Errol, and his “cheap, swashbuckling drivel” and look what happened. Sometimes it's time to “prune out the deadwood” so new and better branches can grow. Us old folks are the thing of the past, whether you like it of not. I accept it as the natural flow of all things. Regardless, It will will be done sooner of later. So it is with all things. JOHN
Anonymous
May 5, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Huh?
Anonymous
May 6, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Only this Rob, The world belongs to the young. Thier ideas may not jive with what we oldsters may think is the way, but that's the way it is, and it usually works out for the better. I just saw recently there is a coming movie about JFK. I'm fairly sure it will be non-traditional, and maybe it will address the 'less than flattering' truths about our ex- President. If so, it will tell a more true story than the one's I grew up with. Whatever the case, it will be the movie that young viewers will see and form their opinions about someone as remote to them as President Truman is to me. Can you dig it? John
Anonymous
May 6, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Big Boy Williams eh, I guess everyone cannot have movie-star looks like you Kev. Can I have your autograph? I guess some are built for speed and some for the off-road! Ha, Ha! John
Anonymous
May 6, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Eh? This doesn't address anything I said.
Anonymous
May 6, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Hi Robert and to friends on this Blog;
Of course Errol was all that you are saying and even more and that is exactly the reason of what I said in previous posts in the past.
To make a movie about Errol's life would be the most difficult thing on earth as there was only one Errol!
What I meant was, if it is tried and someday they just might do so, it would need a very talented actor who maybe could with a lot of training get close in the portrayal – never 100% – BUT to help this actor to deliver this close performance he better have an advantage and that is a good resemblance to Errol to give the audience a half believable movie.
Not like Duncan Regehr in “My Wicked, Wicked Ways” – he tried, but the poor audience who has to digest this misrepresentation and Errol most likely turning in his grave. Then there is Jude Law in “The Aviator” oh my god – enough to turn your stomach.
AND as up to now there wasn't even an actor who ever closely resembled Errol in any way shape or form. It is therefore that I said – there is only one who resembles him TODAY in looks and performance and that why I put the YOU TUBE presentation and his pictures on my post – no other reason.
Did anybody look at the You Tube – if not – it's your loss. Ha ha ha!
And this is my usual sentence I use often to describe Errol, short an swift “Man like him are only born once in a million years – if ever again!”
With all my IF, AND and BUTs I leave you for today to shoot your cannons of at me! I just love it!
Anonymous
May 7, 2010 at 9:51 am
Seconded!
Anonymous
May 7, 2010 at 9:14 pm
I watched him on Late Night and he said all other Robin Hood films are “crap”!!
Anonymous
May 7, 2010 at 10:59 pm
I so agree. It would be impossible to capture the real EF. He was so complex, a product of his genes, environment, experiences etc. There is a reason he has been unparalleled for all these decades. Take Clive–handsome yes–Errol Flynn he is not. There just isn't another EF and most likely won't be–that is a good thing….IMHO
Anonymous
May 9, 2010 at 8:41 am
Hi Patti;
Absolutely right! But if is this venture is undertaken Clive Standen is the best choice at present! He is the only one who can come remotely close of all the actors existing at present anywhere in the world.