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Saturday 28 January 2017

john hurt has passed away

Sadly there was sad news today as well. John Hurt, one of my favourite actors has died, aged 77.

Of huge importance to sci-fi fans everywhere because if his role as Kane in ALIEN in 1979, John appeared in countless other great films. 

His rich voice always lent gravitas to his movies, something I feel he brought to Alien despite his short stint.

John was born down the road from here in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

Our sincere condolences to his family,

RIP.

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12 comments:

  1. Tony K1/29/2017 12:43 pm

    He also won a very well deserved BAFTA for his powerful screen portrayal of Quentin Crisp, in The Naked Civil Servant, Woodsy. I remember watching it on telly in the mid-'70s. The cutting-edge autobiographical film drama became the topic of school yard conversation. That was the first time I took notice of John Hurt as the exceptionally talented actor that he was. RIP John.

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    1. WOODSY1/29/2017 1:25 pm

      Yes, his Quentin C was phenomenal and as you say quite contraversial. His John Merrick in Elephant Man was another fabulous role that he made his own. Virtuoso performances really. Doing Kane in ALIEN must have been a doddle - apart from the crazy derelict sets and that facehugger! I don't think they issued a Kane action figure at the time but hasn't one come out on the last few years?

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    2. KevinD1/29/2017 1:31 pm

      Presumably there must be action figures of him as the Doctor (the one between the 8th and the 9th!).
      A massive talent lost to the world.

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    3. WOODSY1/29/2017 1:58 pm

      I'm not a follower of later Doctors Kev. I never knew John Hurt was one. Blimey.

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  2. KevinD1/29/2017 2:06 pm

    When the 8th Doctor, Paul McGann regenerates, the Time War is in full flow. He elects to regenerate as a warrior, so turns into the War Doctor played by Hurt. He is instrumental in winning the war but chooses to do it by destroying all the Time Lords and all the Daleks. His story is told in the 50th anniversary special, The Day of the Doctor.

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    1. WOODSY1/29/2017 5:23 pm

      Sounds good Kev. A War Doctor eh. The storyline sounds drastic. Did the Time Lords and Daleks survive?

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    2. KevinD1/29/2017 5:51 pm

      It seems that they did but the Doctors after McGann still think they were responsible for Genocide, except for Capaldi (who sometimes seems as though he would like to be!)

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  3. Tony K1/29/2017 2:18 pm

    A few years ago Hot Toys produced a 1/6 action figure of Kane, for their ALIEN range, Woodsy. The figure had two optional heads. One smothered by a facehugger, the other without a facehugger. The head without facehugger, caused disappointment with collectors! It clearly wasn't a likeness to John Hurt. Various forums suggest that Hot Toys was unable to secure rights and permission from John for his likeness to be used. Although that may just be fan speculation... sorry, I don't know for sure. Either way it seems a shame.
    More recently, NECA have released a smaller Kane figure for their own excellent and affordable ALIEN range. This one only has the facehugger headsculpt. So again, it's possible that there may have been issues over rights?

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    1. WOODSY1/29/2017 4:52 pm

      Thanks for that Tone. You really know your stuff. I always thought that the Kane space suit looked rather Victorian with its bulbous helmet and steam vent. Sort of Nautilus like. I liked it. The Astronaut in the Fisher Price Adventure People toy range looked similar.

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  4. Tony K1/29/2017 5:37 pm

    According to Propstore, the suit design, created by John Mollo, was influenced by the Japanese Samurai warrior. I can certainly see that, but I also agree with you Woodsy. Looking at it from this point in time, the suit has a definate Victorian/Steam Punk look. Oddly, I also see a Soviet industrialised aesthetic. A very unique design compared to what we'd seen on the screen before:)

    Link to Propstore, which you may hopefully enjoy reading -
    http://www.propstore.com/the-prop-store-collection/alien/kanes-spacesuit/

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    1. WOODSY1/29/2017 7:01 pm

      Fascinating that Prop Store site Tone. I do see the Samurai influence. Interesting that Moebius was involved too. Am I right in think that suit is for sale?

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  5. Tony k1/29/2017 7:33 pm

    It looks like it could be in Propstore's private collection, based on the attached link, Woodsy. But what an amazing piece movie memorabilia to own.

    https://www.yourprops.com/John-Hurt-s-Space-Suit-original-movie-costume-Alien-1979-YP794.html

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