Derren Nesbitt was probably the most convincing Gestapo Major in all movie cinema. Fantastic actor. I will never forget his amazing performance in this movie.

@Wixom2200

Жыл бұрын

I agree, but Burton was clearly the star!

@jonathansteadman7935

8 ай бұрын

Lovely guy, his bleach haired Gestapo character is iconic.

@paulrb1969

Ай бұрын

Remember being shit scared of him as a kid haha

when you picture an SS officer in your mind`s eye,you automatically think of Derren as Von Hapen! His portrayal was so good. My all time favourite war film and Derren was such a great character in it. Funny guy too.

@allenlovell1604

Жыл бұрын

Actually, he was Gestapo ; not SS. I think they were two different units within Nazi Gerrmany ; Gestapo handled Internal state security ( Secret Police ), whereas, the SS worked more with the Wehrmacht ( German Army ). Gestapo were identified by a Skull and Crossbones on their Caps- very distinctive, disturbing, intimidating, and terrifying 😳 if you were ever to unfortunately meet them!

@patrickmoore3717

7 ай бұрын

he was Gestapo different

He made The Naked Runner with Sinatra himself. A few years later, he was asked intrusive questions about Frank and declined to respond. Sinatra got to hear about this and sent him and his wife on a luxurious holiday, with lavish amounts of spending money thrown in. Good men both.

Where Eagles Dare is a brilliant entertainment experience. Stars back then had a charisma modern "stars" just don't have. And Derren was super creepy in it.

@ianswan1283

8 ай бұрын

Absolutely

Don't know much about the acting lark but think Mr Nesbitt's Nazi is still one of the scariest, creepiest characters I've ever seen on a screen. And what a superb raconteur. Many thanks for posting.

@granto6738

5 жыл бұрын

Yes very true words he f nailed it

@HansDelbruck53

4 жыл бұрын

Great story teller, but he wasn't good at quoting the folks he was telling anecdotes about. I'm sure Liz Taylor didn't say "mm...mm...mm" for example.

@ToreDL87

3 жыл бұрын

@@HansDelbruck53 But he splendidly got the point across :)

This is the 2nd interview with Derren Nesbitt and he seems to be one of those guys who wants to be historically accurate, but not a big enough to be listened to, so he goes along. He gives a lot of behind the scenes stories, which makes Where Eagles Dare even more interesting to watch. I am going to have to watch it again now. He is very complimentary of all actors, but not so much of directors. Another thing that I picked up from the interviews, is that he is polar opposite of the character he plays, which again, makes me want to re-watch the movie, just to better appreciate his acting in the film.

I had no idea that Mr. Nesbitt was such a charming and funny man in person. I had only ever known him by that one superb performance he gave in this film. And now l will love the film even more after hearing all of his stories. Thank you for this.

Awesome ancedotes, the guy is a real storyteller

How has this man not worked more over the years after this movie, he was superb in the 60’s The Prisoner as a #2

According to my parents, Derren Nesbitt was a very friendly man who always said hello whenever my mum or dad saw him. He had a maisonette in the same area where my parents were living at the time. That was about 1973.

Darren himself comes across as such a likeable, funny guy in reality - the complete opposite of the character he so brilliantly portrays in the movie.

Sit down Colonel! What an amazing character, played by an amazing actor. But here we are talking about such things as Dusseldorf......all from a Jewish British actor, bravo.

Was lucky enough to meet Derren a few years ago. Great storyteller and nice guy.

My dad once had a pint with Derren, he speaks of it often.

What an absolute gent. Some great anecdotes, thanks for sharing!

A great actor indeed and mimicked by millions across the globe.....I wake up every morning thankful he is not asking me for my papers

@commandingjudgedredd1841

2 жыл бұрын

Or telling you repeatedly to "Sit down!"

@ToreDL87

28 күн бұрын

Or telling you to remain as you are.

I wanted him to tell me about Dusseldorf.

@Ondrus21

7 жыл бұрын

I might be mistaken after such a long time.

@alexleong7041

6 жыл бұрын

Sit down !

@clarencebeeks1528

6 жыл бұрын

Howard Halifax : Now that really made me laugh out loud! Nice one.

@DJ-Hazza

5 жыл бұрын

I always thought that the cathedral was on the other side of z square lol

@outtayardstudio

4 жыл бұрын

Maybe we need to get to know each other just a little better frauline..

I agree with him, that the cathedral was in fact..... on the other side of the square.

What a cool guy, he was an absolute delight!

I'm 61 and my earliest memories of tv and movies are of Derren Nesbitt.I always enjoyed his performances and can still remember the looks on his face on the old black and white tv when he did something evil,(on many occasions.) Good luck to him.

One of my favorite movies and I’m 17!

"Sit down! Colonel Nesbit!"

I'm almost sure Quentin Tarantino has watched "Where Eagles Dare" several times and used the character of Gestapo "Major Van Hapen" as the inspiration to create the character of the Gestapo "Major Deiter Hellstrom" in his movie "Inglorious Basterds". The Tavern scene is probably one of the most dramatic, suspenseful, intriguing, and nail biting, scenes in cinematic history... and the inspiration all came from this brilliant actor's performance in one of the best WWII movies ever made!

An interviewers dream!..What a great storyteller reminds me of the days of David Niven and all those great fella's...the most enjoyable interview I've seen in a long time!

He also played a great number 2 in the prisoner tv series.

Everyone remains as he is lol...what a lovely guy and brilliant video thanks for posting

@commandingjudgedredd1841

2 жыл бұрын

"Major! Thank God you are here. We...." "Sit down, Colonel!!"

"Sit down Colonel!!!!"

Without doubt, my favourite movie, really enjoyed watching this, he played a great Gestapo officer. Thanks for posting it.

Such a marvelous actor

I could listen to him talk all night, he's hilarious.

Smashin sense of humour why hvnt we heard more of him

One of my favourite actors Darren Nesbit

This interview was a pleasure to watch. Thanks for posting.

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant.

Fabulous actor so cool

Do not forget that Mr Nesbitt performed in a masterly way one of the numbers 2 opposite Patrick McGOOHAN in the superb series "The Prisoner" in 1966.

LOVED LISTENING TO HIS STORIES. WHAT A VERY LIKEABLE GENTLEMAN, MAKES YOU PROUD TO BE ENGLISH . THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR MEMORIES SIR .

Brilliant storyteller!

Loved Darren Nesbitt. He was a real English actor and heart throb in the 1960 70s era. Brilliant actor. Hope he's still alive and well.

@jean6872

9 ай бұрын

Derren was born in 1935 and is still alive and not retired.

I really enjoyed that, what a guy 😀

Great interview and actor, probably best known for his various "villain" roles on TV shows in the late 50's & 60's like "Dangerman" ("Secret Agent" in he US), etc.

What a fabulous interview, and a very funny chap. Derren was also great in Ooh You Are Awful with Dick Emery.

Fascinating, where eagles date is I e of my favourite films.

Only just come across this video, what a fantastic interview, loved hearing about the funny stories that happened on the set.

this guy is great...Amazing...

what a wonderful and pleasant individual. Thanks for posting.

Very entertaining, thanks for uploading.

The projectionist in the opening scene is the late Tony Cutts, a true professional, and very sadly missed. There are so few of us left.

wow great find,thankyou so much for posting,paticulary liked the blood packet tale and the Clint Eastwood gun twirl story :-)

Was hoping he'd say something about that cable car ride with the two lovely actresses. :)

Sit.........DOWN.............Colonel!!!

@commandingjudgedredd1841

4 жыл бұрын

"THIS IS PREPOSTEROUS!!"

As a boy when I first saw "Where Eagles Dare", I hated "Major Von Hapen".... I love the man behind the character! What a hoot!

Hilarious! What a lovely man.

fantastic interviewee

What a delightful interview. And a most charming and modest gentleman. Thanks for posting.

@toobes100

8 жыл бұрын

+Dana Hess Not quite so charming: On 25 January 1973 he was fined £250 when he pleaded guilty to two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in October the previous year. He thrashed his wife with a leather strap after she told him that she was having an affair with another man. He also bruised her by grabbing her clothing the next day when she refused to tell him details about her lover. She divorced him a few months later.

That was a great interview.even more information to fuel my obsession with the film where eagles dare.

What a delight .... made my morning , a true gent and a great story teller indeed....

@stuartofblyth

6 жыл бұрын

Shows what a fine actor he is and what acting is all about when he can transform himself from this affable born story-teller into an archetypical Gestapo officer. Brilliant interview.

The 1969 series of the UK TV series 'Special Branch' is being repeated on Talking Pictures TV at the moment and he's brilliant in that too. Actors are often terrific storytellers and they must mentally script their anecdotes so they're word perfect and with the natural dramatic ability to put their stories over.

The best bad boy of the B movies. Great actor and very funny 😂 👍🇬🇧🎬

Loved the film... Imagine my surprise when Derren walked into my office one day many moons ago he was having difficulty with his car.... With a long legged girl friend in car painting her toenails up on dashboard!!!

Still don't know what side of the square that cathedral was in in Dusseldorf.

My favorite classical movie

Jeeeeez! What a great clip! Entertaining and informative. The sound isn't brilliant but Nesbitt projects his voice and anecdotes very well. Kudos also to the interviewer for letting Nesbitt lead the way. Thanks to YT algorithms for bringing me here !!!! Well done to whomever filmed this and created a timeless record of this chat?!

Fantastic interview! He really is a great storyteller and a nice chap. Von Hapen is certainly in my top 10 of movie villains and every time I hear mention of the gestapo I think of the creepy, sinister major Von Hapen.

@ianswan1283

8 ай бұрын

Absolutely

When I would go to the movies (that's in the 70s), the hero was always Michael Caine or Sean Connery. The meanie, Donald Pleasence or Derren Nesbitt: A real poker of aces.

They have made quality sixth scale figures of James Coburn as Sgt. Steiner (Cross of Iron ), Ralph Fiennes as Amon Goeth (Schindler's List) Ed Harris as Major Koening (Enemy at the Gates} Christoph Waltz as Standartenfuhrer Hans Landa ( Inglorious Basterds) Darren Nesbitt as "Major Von Happen"? Make it happen!

I actually met Derren about 20 years ago now, Believe it or not he actually actually rented a room at my Nan's place for a couple of years here in Australia after his 3rd marriage fell apart as Nan had a huge 5 bedroom place with a granny flat out back and always had a couple of "Boarders" for a little extra income. This was before he moved back to the UK as He told us his Mum or some one died and he got an inheritance so that's why he was going back to the UK. He was an absolute crack up and every time he knew I was at Nan's and he walked in the room he'd always look at me do a hand roll and bow and say if it was morning afternoon or evening he'd go "Good Morning Your Grace" but he'd always make these stew type things and man they smelt rank but dam they tasted amazing, When he made them you could smell them before you walked in the house. We had some great times and laughs with him yeah he had a bit of a temper at times but We'd just tell him to get back in his hole (being his room).

@Rumpole1000

7 жыл бұрын

Thats amazing. Did you ever talk to him about his role in Where Eagles Dare?

@TheAussieBusman

7 жыл бұрын

There were a few occasions where he'd tell me about it, All the goss from the set some of which may be a tad to inappropriate to share (like the actors getting a little to friendly with each other if you know what i mean)

@Rumpole1000

7 жыл бұрын

Lol, yeah I understand. Would love to hear about it. Shame you cant private message on this forum. haha. Can I ask when he was here in Oz? I know he married an Aussie beauty contestant and thats why he moved here in the first place.

@TheAussieBusman

7 жыл бұрын

+Rumpole Del Bailey I asked Nan when he had the room in Springwood (NSW) and she said it was for 3 years around 1998 1999 2000 as she said he left not long before the Sydney Olympics. It was rather abrupt he packed up everything into a suitcase came out gave Nan a further 2 weeks rent in cash said I've received some inheritance from my mother here's 2 weeks rent to cover the 2 weeks notice, thanked us wiped away a tear left and that's the last we saw of him which was quite sad. Even though he was just a boarder for a good month or so after he left Nan's house just felt empty and quiet, I'm actually trying to reconnect with him socially (Facebook Twitter etc) to see if he remembers us.

@Rumpole1000

7 жыл бұрын

Wow thanks mate. Very interesting indeed. (and sad). I can image the quietness after such a colourful character leaving and you do really get to know someone over 3yrs. Did you find him on twitter? He does have a twitter account but he hasn't posted anything since 2013 and as of 2012 was living in Sussex England with his wife of 11 yrs.

I've always thought that Derren and "von Hapen" was one of the best characters in the film, I was honestly disappointed when he got the bullet !

Thank you for posting this - just excellent ! What a charming man, great actor & raconteur ! I came here by recommendation of W.E.D. FB page.

Clint Eastwood is awesome. He's the man.

What a great guy, he is very witty and interesting

Thank YOU for the video. From a fan of Where Eagles Dare.

What a wonderful interview. Thank you so much 👌

he's a great Storyteller. he was in the Blue Max and his character was killed off within the first half-hour I think.

Now married to my cousin and living in sunny worthing

Just came across this after having watched Mr. Nesbitt in Burke and Hare (1972) on Talking Pictures. Sad that actors like him and e.g. the late lamented John Fraser were not picked up and interviewed by the BBC for posterity. Can't imagine who would do it - Mark Lawson? Unfortunately the 'zoo format' of interview shows with Graham Norton & Jonathan Ross have skewed and debased the interview format. I don't often titter out loud at anecdotes, but there were quite a few here.

I must have watched Where Eagles Dare a hundred times (I'm watching it again right now on Channel 5) and I only just realised today that Major von Hapen was played by Derren Nesbitt! I was genuinely convinced the character was played by an actual German actor! By far and away the finest and most convincing performance in the whole movie!

Watching where eagles dare in the uk great film never realised what a funny man Darren Nesbitt really could be probably the sign of a great actor.

What a great humorous man, very funny interview great actor and wonderful film

What a hoot. Thank you.

Now this is a man I’d love too sit next too at a very Boozy Dinner Party , what a great bonvivour and raconteur 😅!

Brilliant.

That was TOTALLY enjoyable! Thank you!!!

Loved it thanks for posting

Fantastic, thank you for posting it

Think I only came across him in Where Eagles Dare and now on this. An unexpected nugget for me - a very fine raconteur.

Would love to have seen this live

What a marvelous raconteur, he’d make a fantastic after dinner speaker in a gentleman’s club .

Superb entertainer!

this was great thanks for uploading

It's difficult to believe that such a pleasant man was one of the biggest villains in TV and cinema. Only today I watched him in an old episode of Dangerman in which he played an assassin.

This interview is just awesome.

Brilliant and funny man

Would love to meet Derren!

@markbirch9867

7 жыл бұрын

He shops in my store

Great, top dude

What a terrific actor

I think the scariest 😳 German Officer I ever saw in any WW II film 🎥 was the actor who played the interrogation officer in " Inglorious Basterds! ". A portrait of chilling 😈 , and yet as cool as ice ! I saw the movie that Derren Nesbitt was in, and he was perfect for the role !

Actors have the best stories

Very funny man and probably the nicest gestapo guy ever 😊

Great performance, he made the film.