LORD RICHARD ATTENBOROUGH ON MCQUEEN!

Lord Richard Attenborough and his Wife in N.Y.

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Lord Richard Attenborough played the role of "Big X" in 1963's blockbuster film, "The Great Escape" starring Steve McQueen, James Garner, and James Coburn. An Actor, Director and Producer, Lord Attenborough was born in 1923, in Cambridge, England. He started acting at the age of 12 and attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He made his stage debut at 18. A legendary scholar of the Academy, he reflects here on the wonderful friendship and insights into his late friend Steve McQueen that I felt was very appropriate as we build up to the fun of the virtual Film Festival. Among the memorable films he appeared in with Steve were "The Great Escape" (1963) and "The Sand Pebbles" (1966).

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LORD RICHARD ATTENBOROUGH: "His whole being is so alive and vibrant! You really did feel that he might burst out and walk up the aisle, you know, at any point and walk off the screen. The wonderful thing about "The Great Escape" ( to be featured) in my opinion--was that it was unbelievably simple. The plot was escaping. And I was there one particular day, and Steve got his bike out and he said, "Hey Dick! Like a ride?" And I tried not to look how absolutely terrified I was. Now, if I didn't accept it, that would have been the end of any possible prestige the British might have had for the rest of the movie! And so I---"Of course, Steve! Absolutely love to"-- shaking inside. I got on this terrifying bike and off we went. I've never been more delighted and thrilled to get off any vehicle of any kind! But it resulted---as far as I was concerned---in a relationship with Steve which I've treasured all my life.

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"Being with Steve was not peaceful. He was combative, but you felt that if things were not as he wished for them to be or believe that they ought to be, then he would let you know. He was not a 'pussycat' by any means.

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"The Sand Pebbles" was based on fact, with Steve as the leader in terms of the players. It was a question of bravery, of sacrifice, of loyalty. He knew where everything was. He could move around that ship up and down the deck. You wound up knowing that Steve actually could run that wretched boat if necessary. And that lends a wonderful credibility to an actor's performance. We were in Taiwan, I remember, for five months. So he and I and our children spent a lot of time together. And my wife and children came over part of the time and Neile and Steve's kids---they were obviously very precious to him, and he was very proud of them.

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"What he was after, which was truth and reality is something that's appreciated these days along with honesty. And he was a very honest actor! He knew what was right. He had a wonderful instinct for truth in everything Steve did. And that's what made him a great screen actor. He wasn't a good actor---he was a great screen actor. He was a remarkable figure. I loved him so much and I miss him. I really miss Steve."

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Tomorrow: A visit with Steve's friend and veteran Actor Robert Vaughn