In my estimation Nigel is a proverbial 'Legend.' Not a week goes by without me typing 'yes minister,' or, ' yes Priminister ' into the search bar of youtube. And though I've watched each video a hundred times I laugh and guffaw as if it were my first viewing. What a gift to lift individuals such as myself out of darkness with such comedic brilliance . Your family must be very proud Nigel, you touch the hearts of innumerable souls on a daily basis. How I wish I could have encountered you momentarily on the street to profess my deep gratitude to you. Thank you Nigel.

I was his PA for six weeks in 1998 when he was in LA on a small indie film shoot. He was such a wonderful man - hands down he was one of the loveliest person I have ever met. So easy to talk to, so authentic and genuine and all around beautiful soul. He told me about growing up in South Africa and his struggles as an actor. I absolutely adored him and feel so lucky to have been able to spend so much time with him. Forever fondly remembered x

@calaminewaffles6860

3 жыл бұрын

@K D He was an intensely private person and a homosexual who was very much in the closet. While morally that would have been the right thing to do, it is very understandable why he may have shied away from doing so. It's easy for us to sit down in the year 2020 and say "he should have done this and that and spoken out against apartheid etc. 40 years ago."

@calaminewaffles6860

3 жыл бұрын

@K D You're talking as if he was some sort of giant in the TV field in the 80s. Yes, Minister was first broadcast in 1981. Up to that time, Sir Nigel Hawthorne had been what many would consider a failed actor. Would it have been great if he'd spoken out against apartheid? Sure. But as someone who'd just gotten his big break after some 30 years of being relegated to small TV acting roles *and* a closeted homosexual in a time when that was still very much frowned upon, he was probably understandably quite unwilling to put himself in such a spotlight. I'm less inclined to hold that against him, as opposed to someone like Thatcher who was reluctant to sanction the South African government. "The problem is people like you who pretend to be allows but are vile inside which comes out when you present the defense." Wow, nice ad hominem. I'm just putting his position into perspective. But hey, you must be some kind of saint who can easily pass judgment on everyone. Good day.

@calaminewaffles6860

3 жыл бұрын

@K D I did not mean to say that we should not expect it from him just because it happened 40 years ago. That I admit is not a valid argument. I'm also not saying that his silence on apartheid was justifiable, only that it is understandable for him and I don't think he should be judged so harshly for doing something most people would have done in his shoes. But what really bugged me is why you were singling Nigel out for this criticism. Is it because he spent his childhood in South Africa? How many British TV actors even spoke out against apartheid in the 80s? I can't think of any off the top of my head. I know for sure people like the Pythons, Tom Baker, Rowan Atkinson did not, and they were considerably more famous than Nigel was in the 80s. Even John Cleese, who was one of the pioneers when it comes to British TV actors going into humanitarian causes, I don't think he ever really got into the anti-apartheid cause. Should they all have spoken out? Of course. But, I simply don't think it is fair to call Nigel a "coward" or "pathetic" for not doing something most, if not all, of his contemporaries were not doing either, especially given his personal circumstances. *That* is what triggered me.

@calaminewaffles6860

3 жыл бұрын

​@K D In 1970, at a time when he was still struggling to get into acting, he adapted and directed a play for the Anti-Apartheid Movement in Britain for the 10th anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre. He even tried to get the British audience to understand what apartheid was like by segregating them with "white" and "coloured" tickets and then giving the patrons with "white" tickets preferential treatment to illustrate it.. They also used the play to promote membership of the movement. He also did star in the 1996 South African anti-apartheid-themed movie "Inside" and was also in "Amistad", at a time when he was well-established and quite famous. Honestly, he seems to have done more than most of his contemporaries? Why he didn't speak up about apartheid at BAFTA, I can't say. I'm not sure if they even let you give such speeches at that event, or perhaps he lacked the courage after finally achieving his 30-year-long dream of succeeding as an actor. I don't judge him too harshly for the latter. Could he have done more? Sure. But at least he did some things.

@simona4315

3 жыл бұрын

@K D You are right there is no point. They will not change. Apple does not fall far from the tree!

People like Nigel really have no idea how much they enrich the lives of millions of people, given the enormity of the gift that's really quite sad. But it's still a wonderful gift.. :)

Nigel was a dear friend, I knew him since the early 1970's . He helped me and I will never forget him. Miss this great man and Actor.

@YesMinisterMuseum

9 жыл бұрын

You had the pleasure of knowing him personally? Impressive. I hope the video I uploaded - taken from one of the DVD sets - was of some use to you. (There is one other video that shows him briefly a few years before his death, but unfortunately that one is now blocked.)

@simona4315

3 жыл бұрын

@K D Exactly. It is due to such adulation of false heroes that we are in the situation and have not made progress on race relations.

@Hossak

3 жыл бұрын

@K D It is great to see you don't let your humanity get in the way of your ideology - that is a great lesson from the 20th century that you must take to heart. Leads to wonderful things really.

@jonathannelson103

3 жыл бұрын

@K D so you're complaining that he was an entertainer and not an activist.

@DavidSmith-ee6df

2 жыл бұрын

Much beloved.

Interesting to note that both Paul Eddington and Nigel did not have success until later in their lives. RIP to a great man.

Its a shame that actors who cant hold up a finger to Nigel are more successful at a younger age.

RIP and long live Sir Nigel Hawthorne (April 5, 1929 - December 26, 2001), aged 72 You will always be remembered as a legend.

Helen Mirren has an exquisite speaking voice -- such a lovely introduction to Nigel's life.

My first memory of Nigel Hawthorne predates Yes, Minister by one year. I saw him make his indelible mark on the film The Knowledge. I was nine years old. It wasn't until relatively recently that I re-watched it and realised that one of his co-stars in the film was none other than Jonathan Lynn, the co-author of Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister.

Nigel like myself, left the nest, the nurture of the family very young, I see now looking back that this had an unnoticed at the time but severe effect on the ability to feel happy and secure in myself, it effected my confidence and ability to be at ease with oneself. A lack of comfort and affection in earlier life has an enormous effect later on.

@AngelWingzzz

Жыл бұрын

It damaged the psyche of a man I care about very much.

He left behind a wonderful work. Thanks, Nigel. You were and are great.

Through all that failure as a struggling actor to a legendary artist in his field, this man is simply unstoppable. Sorely missed you are Sir Nigel Appleby. ❤

RIP Sir Humphrey. Watching you in Yes Minister on Prime Videos here in Mumbai, India, it's a joy like no other. Thank you for this masterpiece. You are gone but your work will always be in our hearts.

Glorious, glorious actor and a gentle sweet man.

A great man, a great Actor, a sad loss!

You uploaded this in Dec 2010, and I'm seeing it for the first time in July 2018. Thanks are belated, but many thanks all the same. We tend to view Nigel, I suppose, largely through the lens of Sir Humphrey, and in so doing transfer a lot of Humphrey's attributes to Nigel. But it's apparent, as it often is when a role is career defining, that Nigel was a much softer, gentler person than his über-civil servant creation.

What a fabulous man. Brilliant actor, and for me, he will always be Sir Humphrey.

When Humpy went on one of his famous rants, it was just pure entertainment. I had no idea what he was talking about but his mannerisms and eloquent style made me laugh hysterically. Who ever got himself, Paul and Derek together, was genius with incredible foresight.

Great actor but a better man. Seemed funny to see him in Jeans. RIP. Legend

Oh my good God. I'm crying in 2023 because Nigel's spirit connected with mine. My emphatic emotions is a gift of humanity. Oh my how great of a life that even in your death, I cry. RIP.

I must say he played his role perfectly and so convincingly .

Oh God, what a great man and actor!!!

enjoyed watching this . Thanks for putting it up here

Thank you for everything, Sir Nigel.

He was a beautiful person and spectacular actor!

Thanks very much!!!!

I also thank you Sir Nigel

Great actor, God have mercy on your soul

@CLASSICALFAN100

6 жыл бұрын

And all of ours, too...

@3506Dodge

5 жыл бұрын

Why was he in need of mercy?

Thanks Sir Nigel

You are a very clever man Nigel

For me The great artist would always be Sir Humphrey Applebee

He deeply regretted making demolition man. And hated the whole Hollywood blockbuster film experience...

@msinvincible2000

6 жыл бұрын

I loved that film. It wasn't very fine, but it was a good story about the dictatorship of the politically correct and interventionism

@mannixflinn6227

5 жыл бұрын

You are fined one credit for violation of the Verbal Morality Statute.

@mannixflinn6227

5 жыл бұрын

@@msinvincible2000 agreed. Great comment. I loved it too

@majordbag2

4 жыл бұрын

That's too bad, Hollywood is notorious for how awful it is to work in but he did a great job as the Dr. Coctau (Or however it's spelled). That being said, after seeing a few episodes of Yes Minister, he really could have had a way better performance if given the chance but I'm guessing either the director, producers, or someone in the film wouldn't allow it and kept his role smaller.

I first saw him in Firefox in 1980. He was marvelous in a minor role, doing the most with the least.

What is the name of the waltz included in the closing credits to this video? Sir Humphrey, Rest in Peace!

再见，Humpy！

Awesome actor madness of king George was my favorite movie of his

Guess what? Sir Patrick Stewart, of "Star Trek" fame, toiled through many, many years of obscurity, too. (PS never owned a new car in his LIFE until he finally got the Star Trek role...)

@MrJm323

5 жыл бұрын

...And Patrick Stewart was great as Sejanus, a scheming Roman (something) in "I, Claudius".

As a boy, the caricatures of the opening of Yes Minister terrified me. I thought these people are hideous monsters! I had no concept of what administrators or politicians actually did.

@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494

2 жыл бұрын

The artist was (he's still alive) Gerald Scarfe, who did graphics for Floyd's The Wall (and earlier work for them too), so he was accustomed to drawing scary figures!

@blackbird5634

2 жыл бұрын

@@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494 that makes SO much sense! I had no idea! Fantastic!

I Love To Hear Professor Archimedes Q. Porter From 1999 Film Disney's Tarzan.

Up there with Olivier and Gielgud!

Seeing all the other comments, one could believe you didn't allow them. I thank you deeply for uploading these clips. I believe I saw all the episodes as a teen on Norwegian TV (I'm now 48), and I so miss seeing them all again. Are they available now, could you upload them to KZread if you got it, or has the BBC reused the tapes? Well; Great channel ;-)

@muenchhausenmusic

3 жыл бұрын

I bought them as a dvd box set here on Germany, with the option of the original audio track, of course!

Where may I view the rest of this documentary???

I miss my friend Nigel xxx

This year one of his colleges from yes minister, Derek Fowlds, joined him at the rainbow......

brilliant in 'The madness of king George'!

🌿🌷🍃

@skinnyjohnsen: All episodes exist, but I'm not uploading them. You'd have to buy the DVD or find them in another way. This channel is only for the 'extras' that they never put on DVD. Good luck!

Is there any way to watch Shadowlands?? I hope it was recorded

Helen Mirren looks amazing in this omg

Why does Helen even mention the way that Nigel looked it is not releveant, the fact is he was a great actor and a great man and that's all that matters

@synthonaplinth5980

9 жыл бұрын

Well, the television industry is largely superficial. People didn't have a chance to find out that he was a great actor until he was older, when him being a 'shining jewel' didn't matter as much.

@mckavitt

7 жыл бұрын

Is that a question in English?

@irishking1414

7 жыл бұрын

but he only had a regular career and yet they call him sir. did the whole world miss an amazing actor?

@tobyhart8515

3 жыл бұрын

It is highly relevant. She was saying that young actors in lead roles are often chosen for looks as well as talent. Hawthorne also was a mature presence and looked mature early on, and so was not a typical young lead type. Think Tom Cruise, pretty from very young. Then think Kevin Spacey, for example, not cast on his looks but on his screen presence, which came to light after his 30s.

Thats the set of Fawlty Towers

Helen Mirren is ravishing.

I think she looks greta here (Helen)

Nigel Hawthorne could hardly be having a "watershed" year in 1999 if so many good things were happening to him. A "watershed" moment is a negative, with no positive opposite. As zenith is the positive, so its opposite is the nadir. But a watershed is the negative without the positive to counter it.

Is Anthony Hopkins not a British actor? I mean, he does live in America as far as I know but he was born in Wales.

@tradingforbeginners

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, that’s right.

@AngelWingzzz

Жыл бұрын

He lives in a few different places. LA, Wales and Italy.

Bring back the British Sausage. Say NO to the EU.

@nigelaw8814

6 жыл бұрын

This comment merely reveals the banality and ignorance of Brexiters. May they be forgiven - historians never will!

@sirravixfourhorn7681

5 жыл бұрын

@@nigelaw8814 It's a reference to an episode of YPM.

You are fined one credit for violation of the Verbal Morality Statute.

@8:15 Helen Mirren gassing on as she has nothing else to say. Nigel was magnitudes better than her.

I liked him in mapp and Lucia otherwise a normal actor who never made it.

@CLASSICALFAN100

6 жыл бұрын

He **REALLY MADE IT** in "The Madness of King George" !! His finest hour !!

@AngelWingzzz

Жыл бұрын

What have we seen you in??????????????

As for growing up in South Africa, before Nelson Mandella became FIRST president in 1994, there WAS NO South Africa! The apartheid era rendered all offices in the region illegitimate. All that existed were some towns and settlements in the southern portion of the African continent. Johannesburg should be renamed Mandella City!

@jstrahan2

4 жыл бұрын

Neil Forbes: FYI: Apartheid didn't start until 1948. There was a South Africa government before that. So, even using your logic (which I believe is faulty), there was a legitimate South Africa.