McKellen: Playing the Part
Documentary on the life and work of Sir Ian McKellen, featuring rare footage of his early work, never-before-seen photos from McKellen's private collection and cinematically reconstructed scenes from his life starring Milo Parker, Luke Evans, Frances Barber, Scott Chambers and more.
- Director:
- Joe Stephenson ('Chicken')
Reviews & comments
Flicks, Adam Fresco
flicksFlicks, Sarah Voon
flicksA boy who really loved his Mum, Alexander McQueen the progressively fractious designer, and subject of this doco was also a fierce talent with equal tendencies for fun and cruelty. Using recovered archival footage, photos and intensely personal interviews with some of his closest friends and family, director Ian Bonhôte and co-director/writer Peter Ettedgui, eloquently tease out the rocky journey of the school dropout who doodled dresses on his school books, the prophetic early cutting and tailoring apprenticeship at a Savile Row tailor, to the final harrowing chapters of his life.
Time Out
pressDirector Joe Stephenson paints a beautiful portrait, but the actor’s sensitivity, storytelling and strength of character are captivating enough.
The Times
pressYet even - perhaps especially - in morbid mood, [Ian McKellen] is never less than beguiling.
The Guardian
pressMcKellen occasionally slips into the part of twinkly super-cool gay uncle that he tends to play in interviews these days. But mostly he’s thoughtful and self-reflective.
Stuff
pressEssentially based around a single interview, Playing the Part allows McKellen's avuncular personality, warmth and wicked humour to shine.
Stuff
pressMcKellen: Playing the Part is a celebration of a life particularly well-lived. McKellen emerges as a clear-eyed, impish, utterly professional and pragmatic optimist.
New Zealand Herald
pressAs the documentary ends with him discussing his funeral plans you appreciate what a treat it is to have the Oscar-award winner telling his own story in his own words.
Hollywood Reporter
pressStructured very simply as an on-camera interview while McKellen reminisces about his life from the comfort of a red library chair, the film exudes a personal warmth springing from the fact that most of it is told in Sir Ian’s own words.
Empire Magazine
pressAn absolute treat of an interview with a man who has told other people’s stories wonderfully for decades and tells his own just as well.
Flicks, Adam Fresco
flicksFlicks, Sarah Voon
flicksA boy who really loved his Mum, Alexander McQueen the progressively fractious designer, and subject of this doco was also a fierce talent with equal tendencies for fun and cruelty. Using recovered archival footage, photos and intensely personal interviews with some of his closest friends and family, director Ian Bonhôte and co-director/writer Peter Ettedgui, eloquently tease out the rocky journey of the school dropout who doodled dresses on his school books, the prophetic early cutting and tailoring apprenticeship at a Savile Row tailor, to the final harrowing chapters of his life.
Time Out
pressDirector Joe Stephenson paints a beautiful portrait, but the actor’s sensitivity, storytelling and strength of character are captivating enough.
The Times
pressYet even - perhaps especially - in morbid mood, [Ian McKellen] is never less than beguiling.
The Guardian
pressMcKellen occasionally slips into the part of twinkly super-cool gay uncle that he tends to play in interviews these days. But mostly he’s thoughtful and self-reflective.
Stuff
pressEssentially based around a single interview, Playing the Part allows McKellen's avuncular personality, warmth and wicked humour to shine.
Stuff
pressMcKellen: Playing the Part is a celebration of a life particularly well-lived. McKellen emerges as a clear-eyed, impish, utterly professional and pragmatic optimist.
New Zealand Herald
pressAs the documentary ends with him discussing his funeral plans you appreciate what a treat it is to have the Oscar-award winner telling his own story in his own words.
Hollywood Reporter
pressStructured very simply as an on-camera interview while McKellen reminisces about his life from the comfort of a red library chair, the film exudes a personal warmth springing from the fact that most of it is told in Sir Ian’s own words.
Empire Magazine
pressAn absolute treat of an interview with a man who has told other people’s stories wonderfully for decades and tells his own just as well.
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