The Avengers International Fan Forum

Dandy Forsdyke · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 12:38 am Post subject:

I think Timeless and Barry have said it all really. She doesn't get the types of roles that Dames Judi and Helen get, but I don't compare those actresses with Diana Rigg at all - and I think they often only do because of the 'Dame' prefix.

To a global audience any theatre work Diana does is frankly invisible because it's obviously something you can only experience by buying a ticket and going to see live.

Perhaps she could have made the types of 'action-woman' movies she was offered after The Avengers, but by doing that she may not have been taken seriously had her successes on stage. She was right to turn her back on The Avengers and never go back.

I don't think she has any regrets from the choices she's made.
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Timeless A-Peel · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 6:42 am Post subject:

Dandy Forsdyke · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 7:02 am Post subject:

Wasn't she offered or penciled in for the Cybill Shepherd part in The Lady Vanishes remake?

She either auditioned and didn't get it or she turned it down. Anyone know?
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helenofirvine · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 7:23 am Post subject:

Interesting. Somehow, I think Diana could have any role she really wanted, because she is that talented. So I do think she is happier being in control of the role, and the stage offers that much more completely than film or television. True, there is a director and such. But when one is performing in front of an audience, no one can shout "Cut!" It is what it is... and she is probably at her best on the stage because it is what she loves.

Rodney · Guest

She is fantastic in the House of Brede film about a convent. I have always found it a moving film. She is very much her own person, does not suffer fools, will not sit in a restaurant unless she can smoke - harder and harder to find those - and I don't think Hollywood would have suited her. It's interesting that it was only decades later that she realised how stunning she was in The Avengers. Not conventionally pretty, but a powerful sex symbol, both for women and men. And in terms of witty retorts, light years ahead of any other Avengers regular.

kim · The Ministry Joined: 31 Aug 2008 Posts: 1838 Location: USA

I saw House of Brede more years ago than I want to admit to, but I remember it very well. I had seen OHMSS just weeks prior and while I had enjoyed seeing Diana Rigg in it, I'm not a James Bond fan by any means so I wasn't overly impressed. House was much more suitable for her and in my opinion she out did herself in that one. I should see if I can get the movie again since it's been so long since I've seen it, to see if I'm still of the same opinion.
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cyberrich · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 2:08 am Post subject:

My favourite of her movies (besides OHMSS) is Theatre of Blood. Vincent Price was wonderfully hammy in this, and Diana gave a wonderful performance or should that be performances, as she slipped into various guises including a Brummie man in an afro wig! The script was wonderfully inventive and not a million miles away from the Avengers. A failed Shakespearean actor seeking revenge on the critics who ruined his career would have fitted in quite easily among seasons 4 to 6. The violent deaths might have needed toning down a tad though!

Essa · White Dwarf Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 5

[quote="DiVicenzo"]

helenofirvine · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 10:53 am Post subject:

Dandy Forsdyke · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:00 am Post subject:

Mine is The Assassination Bureau. The chemistry btween her and Oliver Reed was electric and I love the theme song (as noted elsewhere).

I'd have liked her to make another TAB movie. Today, of course, with movies making sequel after sequel, a film like that would have been a franchise.
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the butler · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject:

I think "Assassination Bureau" is my favorite as well. It's a charming movie, even though I always think Oliver Reed is not so convincing playing a charming part.
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DiVicenzo · The Big Thinker Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 1478

Dandy Forsdyke · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 11:27 pm Post subject:

Diana in a Western series would have been absolutely dynamite. I'm seeing her as Joan Crawford in Johnny Guitar! Cool

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5_HUhGUfzQ

Sorry about the non-English lang. but you get the idea...
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mousemeat · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 7:21 pm Post subject: her films

helenofirvine · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 9:22 pm Post subject:

The Hospital was very good. I liked it very much.

The Assassination Bureau had promise, but the music was so repetitious throughout the movie that I just gave up on ever watching it again. Diana, as always, was wonderful.

cyberrich · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 3:38 am Post subject:

Has anyone else seen Theatre of blood besides me and Helen. If you haven't, try and look out for it. It's a fabulous movie, and Diana is superb as always. Has she ever given less than a stellar performance in her career. I'm almost certain she hasn't. I can't remember the music to Assassination Bureau which some of you like, but the theme tune to Theatre of Blood was a beautiful haunting piece of music. Haven't watched this in ages. I'll have to dig out my old video copy and watch it again. I'd love to know what you all think of this film. Richard.

DiVicenzo · The Big Thinker Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 1478

Philippa · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 4:19 am Post subject: