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[Esna Pitoojee]

So, yeah. He's finally passed away. What is it with us losing piles of incredible actors this year? Seems like there isn't going to be anyone left by 2016.

[Pieter Tuulinen]

The world is noticeably diminished by his passing. This week I also learned that the reason I haven't seen much of Tim Curry recently is because he suffered a stroke a couple of years ago and is partially paralysed.

On a slightly more humourous note, I did see in his BBC Biography this morning that the British government is still not giving out information on what Christopher Lee did during his war service, simply noting that he was part of the airforce reserve. Why do governments cling to secrets that have long since stopped being secret?

[Lyn Farel]

I am surprised... he always seemed to be very healthy and energetic... doing all kinds of things... Even playing in metal bands...

This makes me sad. He was kind of awesome.

[Esna Pitoojee]

I am surprised... he always seemed to be very healthy and energetic... doing all kinds of things...

Honestly, when I saw the first Hobbit movie I was somewhat shocked by how much more aged and stiff he looked compared to Return of the King. It was clear that age was getting to him, although I wasn't aware of any serious medical issues.

On a side note: A lot of people talk about his time in the special services, but let's take a look for a second at the other stuff he went through:
- Suffered failure of his optic nerve during training, preventing him from being a pilot (his first choice of service).
- Dragged himself out of depression and decided to join the intelligence corps instead.
- Nearly died when his airfield was bombed.
- Caught malaria and recovered six times. Six. Times.
- More or less singlehandedly put down a mutiny with his knowledge of Russia.
- Went to Italy and saw some of the worst fighting there, including Monte Cassino.
- Nearly died again when a plane carrying armed bombs crashed on takeoff.
- Went to Rome, where he met one of the leaders of the Italian Resistance... who just happened to be his second cousin.

[Karynn]

 

What a career. They don't make 'em like that anymore.

[Elmund Egivand]

The world is noticeably diminished by his passing. This week I also learned that the reason I haven't seen much of Tim Curry recently is because he suffered a stroke a couple of years ago and is partially paralysed.

On a slightly more humourous note, I did see in his BBC Biography this morning that the British government is still not giving out information on what Christopher Lee did during his war service, simply noting that he was part of the airforce reserve. Why do governments cling to secrets that have long since stopped being secret?

Lots of great people dead this year. Wonder why. Something in the water perhaps?

[Halcyon]

Apparently during the directing of the lord of the rings films he was told "Try and imagine what it sounds like when a man chokes on his blood" or something.
To which he replied "I don't need to imagine".

He was associated with the ministry of ungentlemanly conduct I believe

[Silas Vitalia]

Apparently during the directing of the lord of the rings films he was told "Try and imagine what it sounds like when a man chokes on his blood" or something.
To which he replied "I don't need to imagine".

He was associated with the ministry of ungentlemanly conduct I believe

"Filming a scene in Return of the King (seen only in the extended version), when Grima Wormtongue (Brad Dourif) stabs Saruman in the back on top of the tower, Christopher Lee corrected Peter Jackson on the fact that when a person is stabbed in the back of the chest, they do not scream (as the director wanted), in fact the air is pushed out of their lungs and they “groan” with an exhalation of air, very quietly, as their lungs have been punctured.
From Peter Jackson’s DVD commentary: “When I was shooting the stabbing shot with Christopher, as a director would, I was explaining to him what he should do… And he says, ‘Peter, have you ever heard the sound a man makes when he’s stabbed in the back?’ And I said, 'Um, no.’ And he says 'Well, I have, and I know what to do.’”

[Pieter Tuulinen]

Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, in fact.

[Arnulf Ogunkoya]

Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, in fact.

SOE, the special operations executive. For my 40th birthday someone gifted me with a copy of SOE Syllabus. It's a book by the UK Public Record Office that shows the course notes used to instruct agents before being inserted into occupied Europe. About half of it is Nazi uniform recognition & order of battle stuff. The other half is fairly detailed notes on how to set up & run an insurgency.

[Louella Dougans]

Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, in fact.

SOE, the special operations executive. For my 40th birthday someone gifted me with a copy of SOE Syllabus. It's a book by the UK Public Record Office that shows the course notes used to instruct agents before being inserted into occupied Europe. About half of it is Nazi uniform recognition & order of battle stuff. The other half is fairly detailed notes on how to set up & run an insurgency.

does it have the bit about how, if you expect the Gestapo to be coming in through the door, you should climb on top of any pianos or wardrobes present, in order to jump down on the Gestapo with the element of surprise ?

[Arnulf Ogunkoya]

does it have the bit about how, if you expect the Gestapo to be coming in through the door, you should climb on top of any pianos or wardrobes present, in order to jump down on the Gestapo with the element of surprise ?

No. But it does have the bit about not carrying a gun unless you're executing an operation that needs one. Unless you're the radio operator. Then you carry a pistol at all times so you can kill yourself to prevent capture.

Guidance on cell structure and how it works. Types of cell. Dead & live letter drops. Basic cyphering and the use of innocuous newspaper small ads to send hidden messages.

Also useful notes on small unit tactics for doing things like assaulting buildings, moving people cross country and so forth. Oh and some notes on camouflage.

[Elmund Egivand]

Apparently during the directing of the lord of the rings films he was told "Try and imagine what it sounds like when a man chokes on his blood" or something.
To which he replied "I don't need to imagine".

He was associated with the ministry of ungentlemanly conduct I believe

"Filming a scene in Return of the King (seen only in the extended version), when Grima Wormtongue (Brad Dourif) stabs Saruman in the back on top of the tower, Christopher Lee corrected Peter Jackson on the fact that when a person is stabbed in the back of the chest, they do not scream (as the director wanted), in fact the air is pushed out of their lungs and they “groan” with an exhalation of air, very quietly, as their lungs have been punctured.
From Peter Jackson’s DVD commentary: “When I was shooting the stabbing shot with Christopher, as a director would, I was explaining to him what he should do… And he says, ‘Peter, have you ever heard the sound a man makes when he’s stabbed in the back?’ And I said, 'Um, no.’ And he says 'Well, I have, and I know what to do.’”

Well damn. His loss is really regrettable.

[Halcyon]

Apparently during the directing of the lord of the rings films he was told "Try and imagine what it sounds like when a man chokes on his blood" or something.
To which he replied "I don't need to imagine".

He was associated with the ministry of ungentlemanly conduct I believe

"Filming a scene in Return of the King (seen only in the extended version), when Grima Wormtongue (Brad Dourif) stabs Saruman in the back on top of the tower, Christopher Lee corrected Peter Jackson on the fact that when a person is stabbed in the back of the chest, they do not scream (as the director wanted), in fact the air is pushed out of their lungs and they “groan” with an exhalation of air, very quietly, as their lungs have been punctured.
From Peter Jackson’s DVD commentary: “When I was shooting the stabbing shot with Christopher, as a director would, I was explaining to him what he should do… And he says, ‘Peter, have you ever heard the sound a man makes when he’s stabbed in the back?’ And I said, 'Um, no.’ And he says 'Well, I have, and I know what to do.’”

Couldn't remember the exact quote whilst at work. Thanks

[Halcyon]

does it have the bit about how, if you expect the Gestapo to be coming in through the door, you should climb on top of any pianos or wardrobes present, in order to jump down on the Gestapo with the element of surprise ?

No. But it does have the bit about not carrying a gun unless you're executing an operation that needs one. Unless you're the radio operator. Then you carry a pistol at all times so you can kill yourself to prevent capture.

Guidance on cell structure and how it works. Types of cell. Dead & live letter drops. Basic cyphering and the use of innocuous newspaper small ads to send hidden messages.

Also useful notes on small unit tactics for doing things like assaulting buildings, moving people cross country and so forth. Oh and some notes on camouflage.

Apparently one of the most ruthless was a fashion designer \o/