ARISE SIR CHRISTOPHER LEE (AND HONOURS FOR OTHER LOTR STARS)

Post by **vison** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 2:48 pm

So, this knighthood came from Queen Elizabeth? Or what?

Post by **solicitr** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:11 pm

All knighthoods come from the Crown, which (nominally) is that of New Zealand as well as the UK. The actual choosing is done by the PM or Government of the country in question, but the fiction is that it is a 'recommendation' to HM the Queen. The GG of course is acting as her representative.

Post by **Elentári** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:15 pm

Actually...

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark abolished British knighthoods in 2000.

PJ's knighthood is the reinstatement of the title for the first time in a decade. The NZ version is the highest honour available in the country.

It carries no honorific and is limited to 20 living New Zealanders at any one time.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-p ... 435718.stm

Post by **solicitr** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:49 pm

Yes, it's true that the old degrees of the Order of the British Empire etc no longer apply in New Zealand; nonetheless the 'replacement' New Zealand Order of Merit is still (nominally) bestowed by the Head of State, i.e. the Queen.

Post by **Primula Baggins** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:58 pm

I cannot get used to thin, post-Lasik PJ. If he ever cut and combed his hair, I wouldn't know him at all.

Still, good for him, for the knighthood and for improving his health (an example a lot of people must notice).

Post by **vison** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 4:05 pm

Elentári wrote:Actually...

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark abolished British knighthoods in 2000.

PJ's knighthood is the reinstatement of the title for the first time in a decade. The NZ version is the highest honour available in the country.

It carries no honorific and is limited to 20 living New Zealanders at any one time.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-p ... 435718.stm

That's what I was wondering, I knew that NZ had, like Canada, abolished British knighthoods. Canada doesn't do knighthoods at all. We have The Order of Canada in its varying degrees of splendidness. There is no "title", you are just a member.

Post by **Primula Baggins** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 5:16 pm

Shoot, I guess that means that once you become a famous published author, we can't hope for Dame Vison to grace our board. You'd make one hell of a knight.

Post by **Elentári** » Mon Jun 07, 2010 6:02 am

Five Oscars and four Baftas are recognition for a body of work in the film industry, but a knighthood for Weta Workshop's Richard Taylor is reward beyond the realm of his imagination.

Sir Richard, 45, who has won the movie awards for his work with Lord of the Rings trilogy and King Kong, has been knighted in this year's Queen's Birthday honours list.

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-storie ... ta-stable/

Post by **Primula Baggins** » Mon Jun 07, 2010 6:49 am

That's seriously well deserved. He's responsible for much that is almost indisputably wonderful in the LotR films.

Post by **Elentári** » Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:03 pm

Sir Christopher Lee - BAFTA Academy Fellow in 2011

On Sunday 13 February the British Academy of Film and Television Arts will present Sir Christopher Lee with the Academy Fellowship at the Orange British Academy Film Awards ceremony at London’s Royal Opera House.

Awarded annually by the Academy, the Fellowship is the highest accolade bestowed upon an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film.

Post by **Primula Baggins** » Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:11 pm

That's really cool, Elen.

Looking forward to the BAFTAs. It's my favorite film awards show after the Oscars. I just wish Stephen Fry would host again.

Post by **Pearly Di** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 4:27 pm

I found his acceptance speech really moving. They gave him a standing ovation and he was clearly very moved and his speech was both dignified and witty. His best quip: "I'm just grateful I don't follow in the footsteps of the great Stanley Kubrick, whose award was posthumous."

But he looked so frail. He's only two years older than my dad ...

http://www.bafta.org/awards/film/academ ... 40,BA.html

Post by **Primula Baggins** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 4:51 pm

He did look frail. But he is apparently going to be in The Hobbit for reals. I imagine they'll shoot around his frailty, and his acting will cover the rest.

I was also moved by his speech. I wonder if Ian McKellen was watching?

Post by **eborr** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 12:51 pm

I hope he makes it to the Hobbit and in a more substantial way than his great friend Peter Cushing did in Star Wars Episode 3.

Post by **Elentári** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 4:55 pm

Yes, Bless him, he did look incredbly frail - hard to believe the difference from 12 years ago...

But his personality andvoice seems as strong as ever and that is what is important for HOBBIT. Hopefully if PJ can film his closeups (and Ian Holm, too) in London, then with a body double for the rest it may stll work seamlessly - after all they managed in Gladiator after Oliver Reed's death.

Post by **Primula Baggins** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 6:17 pm

Yes, that voice had not changed! After watching him shuffle out leaning on a cane, it was great to hear him sounding like himself.

Tue Feb 15, 2011 8:24 pm

They will have to do some serious touch up on any close-ups, though. His face is much more lined and his eyes more sunken in their sockets.