In addition, Olivier was a successful director, writer, and producer, credited as the first to bring Shakespeare to the silver screen. He starred in hundreds of roles on stage and on screen, was fundamental in establishing Great Britain's Royal National Theatre, and wrote one of acting's seminal texts On Acting. Extremely well written and researched.Hailed as the greatest actor of his time, Laurence Olivier reflected the twentieth century definition of the consummate actor. Some fascinating insights into the turmoil of his marriage and on-going relationship with Vivien Leigh - and with the 'cocky and forceful' Joan Plowright (his third wife).Įverything you wanted to know about a wonderful actor and a less-than-wonderful man. One wonders, are all these sacrifices necessary to become a legend? John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson didn't think so, but Olivier either ignored or had no interest in the opinions of others. His enormous ego and 'damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead' attitude alienated his family, his friends and his peers.

While Lord Olivier has been acclaimed one of the greatest stage actors in the history of the theater, it seems he sacrificed everything else to his art - and paid a heavy price. Likes the book a lot, the man a lot less. Ralph Richardson comes off as by far the better person - and thought by many to be a superior actor.Īn excellent book about one man's quest for success, what he would do to achieve it, and the consequences. No wonder Vivien was nuts you'd be too if you had to put up with this cad. In fact, he was a rotter, sacrificing everything and everyone in his life to his huge ego and his ambitions.

Unfortunately, Laurence Olivier was not quite the man he would have liked to be - and certainly not the man he presented to the public. Holden is quite fair and not in awe of his subject. Although it was written during Olivier's lifetime, Mr. It is well researched, easy to read, and doesn't seem to pull too many punches. I am only about half-way through this book, but it is just an excellent document (a long one) on acting in the theater, especially in England but also in America, in the 20th Century.

Olivier by Anthony Holden