PT The Fantastic Ian McDiarmid

Just goes to show there's always more to learn. I had heard he was born in Scotland, yet even knowing that, I still called him British actor. OK, how about this:
Ian's a GREAT English-speaking actor!
(ok, that should cover it! Hope everyone's happy )

This is the 100th post on the thread!

COOL!

 

"I had heard he was born in Scotland, yet even knowing that, I still called him British actor."

... and you were exactly right!

 

It's great to see that there's so much enthusiasm for Ian, since I agree he doesn't get nearly enough screentime in AOTC.

 

Has anyone seen him in Great Expectations? Not the one with Ethan Hawk, the other one that's more true to the original novel. I think he played Magwitch. Great performance.

Has anyone heard him speaking out of character? Does he have an accent? I always imagined that his palps voice is closest to his real voice.

 

Ian played Jaggers, the lawyer--not Magwitch. But yeah, great production.

 

I've added my membership of the Fantastic Ian Gusher Society (F.I.G.S.) to my siggy - for all to see.

I didn't know that Ian was in Gorky Park (very creepy film I saw ages ago) - must check it out again as it was made in the '80s. ie para-ROTJ time (interesting to contrast his acting in both films).

Somewhat OT but interesting given the amount of rubbishing that Mr Lucas seems to be getting about the PT from (ahem) certain sections of our little community..

"The first trilogy will not be as much of an action adventure kind of thing. Maybe we'll make it have some humor, but right now it's much more humorless than this one. This one is where all the excitement is, which is why I started with it. The other ones are a little more Machiavellian-it's all plotting-more of a mystery..."
George Lucas, Starlog July 1981.

Machiavellian politics? Palpy? Never!!
(sarcasm intended)

Favorite Palpy scene anyone?

 

I like the hidden menace in his voice when he says, "No, but I do, senator..." It sent a shiver down my spine each time I see it, as it's the first hint of the Emperor that we see in Return of the Jedi. And I find it very amusing when he says so geniunely, "The thought of seeing you is unbearable...". Paplatine is a very good actor! Maybe that's why he turned to the Dark Side, as he got turned down as a young man for a starring role in a film because he wasn't dashing enough, and was so enraged, he decided to have his revenge by becoming the most powerful Sith Lord ever. It could happen!

 

That's right! He WAS Jaggers. I get the names mixed up because they're both so messed. But nevertheless, this thread's still kicking. Ian rocks.

 

Nice idea, Chewies_bandolier

K, everyone who wants to publicly display their belonging to the fan club, just add "F.I.G.S" to your signature, and maybe preceed it with a Ian quote.

 

He is awesome, He is the MAN!

In Great Expectations, those of you who've seen it, isn't he just plain great when he says the word EXCELLENT!

The Emperor Ian Rocks!

 

MachinatingMachiavel:

Out of character he sounds more like Senator Palpatine, however there is a little emperor like cackle (sort of in the back of his throat type of thing).

It's a happy medium.

YODAAAAAAAAAAAA!

[image=http://64.227.26.45/Grilled-Sarlacc/c/yoda/oh****yes.jpg/image.gif]

 

I'm so glad that people have finally realised what a great MAN he is. He really lightens up the whole saga. And I'm totally waiting for the episode 3.

Ian should have his name coming in FIRST!

 

I had heard he was born in Scotland, yet even knowing that, I still called him British actor.

If someone is Scottish they are British btw

 

From your point of view.

The whole point of the entire devolution process is that we Scots aren't comfortable with the 'British' tag that the English put on slavery all those years ago.

It's sort of like Northen Ireland only we didn't have as many guns and explosives.

Sorry.
No offence meant.

 

He has a truly wonderful voice.

by the way, does he have a strong Scottish accent when he's out of character? just wondering..

 

Ian has pretty much the same accent in starwars and in real life.

His voice really changes when he plays Sidious, but basically it's always the same accent.

I've seen him on stage years ago, before the PT, in London.

You can hear his voice in a short interview in the starwars AOTC featurette at Countingdown.com. You'll also find a link to this documentary on the Cinescape.com starwars page, T'bone's that is.

I wouldn't say that he really has a strong scottish accent.

 

He's lived in England for a good while now so his accent is, one could say, 'unique'.

 

Yes, yes.

FIGS?

Fantastic
Ian
Gusher
Society

Excellent. Everything is going as planned.

Does anyone else wish to join the
F.antastic I.an G.usher S.ociety?

It will be successful. I have foreseen it.

Oh, I'm afraid the Society will be quite operational before Episode III arrives.
(cackles maniacally)

 

MUHAHAHAHAHA!!

[image=http://64.227.26.45/Grilled-Sarlacc/c/palpatine/palp.jpg/image.gif]

 

Yes, yes.

FIGS all the way!

Everything is proceeding as I have forseen.

And now, bashers and underappreciaters of the incredible Ian, you will die.

(small evil smile of triumph)
*blue lightning shoots out as Ian's detractors crumble under his brilliance*

 

Hear Hear!

I vote for Ian to be the Ruler of the Galaxy.

 

I read in one of the articles TFN linked to that he is only 57? That would mean he was only 37 or so in RotJ? Is this true? If so, wow, that makeup is really convincing!

 

Yeah well it ended up working out quite nicely since he was then pretty young looking by the time TPM came around.

I love what they do w/ the makeup for him in the films. It just shows how evil is corrupting him. That in only 10 short years in AOTC he's already getting the red around the eyes, and the sallow pallor of his royal nastiness.

I wonder how wrinkly he'll be by Ep3, I'm betting not much more, but we'll probably get some of those nasty angry looks of his from ROTJ.

 

I love his reaction in ROTJ when Luke tells him "I am a Jedi. Like my father before me!": "So be it....Jedi."

 

I love his phoney concern for Padme' in AOTC.
What a hoot! "unbearable"

I have a friend who does impressions and he's pretty good. One of his favorites to attempt is the Emperor from Jedi, played by our beloved meanie of course, Ian.

Unfortunately, while my friend can sort of get the voice right, I always tell him he can't quite capture Ian's "joyful malice."

I can't quite recall another villain who seemed to ENJOY their evil quite as much as Palpatine. He appeared to be having the time of his life in ROTJ and in a more subtle way, he's doing the same thing in AOTC.