Of Burton's 53 films, I have seen 43 of them, and I think there are more than 10 good ones worth watching. If you want to know more about his acting skills in movies, "Berlin Spy" is a must-see.
In the films of the early and mid 1950s, he had not been carefully trained by the big directors, and he had not been able to adapt to the way the film was performed. Because he was too afraid of the dramatic tone, he was always too tight, habitually expressionless, and there was no content in his eyes, and he was even considered a dumb actor.
His acting skills really began to appear in "Desert Blood War" in 1957, and the real breakthrough was in "Anger Looking Back" in 1959. What really entered the camp of great movie actors was "Xiong Domination" in 1964, which can really play a role. Out of his great charm as a tragic actor is 65 years of "Berlin Spy".
Some people think that the problem with Burton's film performance is that the expression is not vivid, but I don't think if I watch a few more of his good films, there will be no such idea.
The great thing about Burton is that he can fully display the character's emotions and what he wants to tell the audience with his eyes alone without expression.
His eyes are the windows to his inner world. Through this completely open window, you don't need to listen, you just need to see and feel, and you will read the story he told silently.
The essence of his acting skills is concentrated in these eyes. In "Berlin Spy", his Limas is a decadent and desperate old spy, full of boredom with his life and his profession, which just fits Burton's own characteristics. And Burton does nothing better than his methodical acting, which is to make the character himself instead of making himself the character.
He had already realized this as early as 51, when he played Prince Hal in Henry IV at the Stratford-upon-Avon Theatre.
Because the concept of character creation is completely different from that of his drama mentor Anthony Quill, and he is resolutely unwilling to follow Quill's request to portray Prince Hal into a simple and cheerful youth who clapped his thighs and laughed, so there was a conflict.
In the end, Quill gave in because of his love for talent and let him perform in his own way, and it was a great success. By the time of "Berlin Spy", his film acting skills have reached the peak, and it can be said that his performance in this film is unparalleled. The film critics at the time even directly asserted, "If Burton can't win the Oscar for "Berlin," then the Oscar will never be fair."
The original author of the film, Le Carré, liked him very much, and was extremely surprised by his character creation and expression. In the end, he was even absolutely sure that this was Limas in his mind, and Limas was Richard Burton. to the point of.
If the character imagined by the original author when he created this character can be completely and perfectly brought to life on the screen, then there is no doubt that this is a complete success.
Why is it so successful?
That's because Burton himself, his state of mind, his state of mind, his attitude to life, his professional attitude, is exactly Limas in "Spy from the Cold".
As a true professional spy, and a successful writer, Le Carré observed him with particular keenness and insight.
He believes that at this time, Burton has completely lost interest in life and career, no longer has the perception of happiness, and lost his passion. "He used to go all the way and fight all the way, but not anymore."
During filming, Burton was always immersed in a deep depression, he wrote in his diary, "I am enjoying life, if this life of despair can be enjoyed."
The most difficult thing about the role of Limas is that he has very few lines, a lot of lies, and too much inner activity.
He is acting all day long, and sometimes he even forgets that he is acting. He can only sit on the bedside and use a little time to remind himself before going to bed at night that it is all just acting.
Under the veneer of decadence, weariness and lack of faith, hides the agility, firmness, tenacity and courage of an old spy for many years.
So, look at these characteristics, do they match most of the real Richard Burton?
So Burton turned Limas into himself, no problem at all.
And to play this role with other actors, it may be possible to achieve a similar appearance with careful sculpting, but if you want to be similar in appearance, to play the essence, charm, and even the soul of the character, it is too difficult, too difficult.
I have no doubt that this role is irreplaceable. Others can't play such a Limas, and there is absolutely no need for a remake.
No better proof of Burton's radical departure from his theatrical mode than in such a paralyzed and taciturn role. With extremely subtle expressions, no exaggerated body movements, and no additional skills in lines, the role can be played live. This must be done with profound and skilled movie acting skills.
When it came to "Murder Order," he was even dubbed, and Burton's own voice was not heard from beginning to end, but it was still a great performance. When Limas was arrested, beaten, imprisoned after being wounded, and Mutter went to arraign him, he showed little expression, but his eyes remained on Mutter.
From start to finish, his eyes didn't even roll. However, with such a fixed gaze, in this black and white image, I could effortlessly read what he was thinking.
He has no lines or even an expression, but with just his eyes, he shows his hatred and hostility towards Mutter, and finally sees and fights with him on an invisible and hidden battlefield for several years, and finally defeats him. When the old rival's true face, the courage to fight against the water.
When Mutter forced himself to stand up, his difficult movements, clumsy movements, and painful gasps silently declared his unyielding and tenaciousness.
When he finally looked up and looked back at his old adversary, a former Nazi, a wily and ruthless enemy, his eyes, once weakened by physical pain, also instantly shone with a sharp light. , with great courage.
At this moment, the decadent and desperate old spy seemed to have suddenly rekindled his fighting spirit and was preparing for his final battle.
How can such a performance not be impressive?
View more about The Spy Who Came in from the Cold reviews
