Has Christopher Plummer Made Peace With 'Sound of Music'? 'Oh, God No'

By Nicki Gostin Posted Jun 2nd 2011 09:20PM

Christopher Plummer's latest role in 'Beginners,' is somewhat of a departure. He plays the father of Ewan McGregor who has two big announcements -- that he has terminal cancer and (surprise!) he's gay. It's a lovely, bittersweet movie with yet another winning performance from the 81-year-old Canadian. In a chat with PopEater, the beloved stage, TV and film actor spoke about the motivation behind his latest role, then dips into the past by defending his decision to turn down the role of Gandalf in 'The Lord of the Rings' (too much time commitment) and becomes flustered when reminded of fans' enduring obsession with the most visible film in his 100-film-plus catalog, 'The Sound of Music.'

"Yeah, it drives me nuts," he says about all the fuss over the 1965 film. "It has nothing to do with the movie, it's just a relentless pursuing of this film that goes on and on and I've gone on and on, far above and beyond it and then to be reminded of it. God almighty what is the matter with people?"

Did 'Beginners' make you think about your own mortality?
Not really because I'm very much alive thank you! And I'm acting the part of the fellow so I must be alive and very happily acting the part because it was such a nice change for me and such a relaxed and free part. I loved doing it.

'Beginners' Trailer | Times, Tickets and Reviews

Your character announces he's gay. Have you had friends who have done that?
Yes, but not quite as honestly as Hal but yes I've known people who have been married for years who have suddenly discovered to be gay.

I always think that's sad.
To be discovered to be gay?

That so much of their lives, they were not true to themselves.
Yes that's right, that's very difficult and hard but it's possible because it's there and they don't know how to handle it. It's a very sad thing, you're right. In Hal's case of course it was totally different, he was absolutely radiant about it and it freed him totally. He knew finally who he was. I think that's what the film is about - finding out who you are, it's not just about being gay.

Does being on stage give you a purpose?
(Laughs) - I have too much fun in it ... [but a] sense of purpose, no I don't think I've been sent down from somewhere to bring the happy news. No, I love my work and I'm very lucky to be still in it at a great age and anything I do I make sure I have a lot of fun.

Your film career has really picked up in the last say, 15 years. You've had some great roles in films like 'The Insider,' and 'The Last Station.'
Yes absolutely. I'm getting better films suddenly. Also, don't forget I've made well over 100 movies and all my life I've spent in the theater so that's always come first and a lot of times I wasn't always available to catch a terrific film role so sometimes you just have to go on doing films for money so that you could afford to do what you wanted to do, either in the theater or in a small indie film like this.

Any films you were just thinking I'm doing this for the paycheck?
Of course there were! Also the location. I always put the locations as being very important too.

Have you ever said no to a movie based on location?
Yes, there were two locations that I turned down. One was a very small African town and the other was New Zealand because I didn't want to spend too long there.

That's right. You turned down 'Lord of the Rings.'
Yes I did. I was one of the people offered Gandalf and I didn't want to spend that long there, it wasn't that I didn't want to go to New Zealand but I think they all spent two years there and I thought, Christ, what happens to the rest of the world while I'm there?

Do you regret turning that down? That was a pretty major role.
I would only have regretted it if it would have been badly played and that makes you feel like, 'Oh what a waste, I should have done that.' But it was done so beautifully by Ian (McKellen) and the movie was of course wonderful.

You had an uneasy relationship with 'The Sound of Music,' but now you've made your peace right?
Oh, God no.

You have to understand people grew up with it. Every little girl had a crush on Captain von Trapp.
Yeah, poor things. (Laughs)

Does all the fuss about it just drive you nuts?
Yeah, it drives me nuts. It has nothing to do with the movie, it's just a relentless pursuing of this film that goes on and on and I've gone on and on, far above and beyond it and then to be reminded of it, God almighty what is the matter with people?

But you did do the cast reunion on Oprah.
I did that because first of all I felt a little guilty that I hadn't done other similar kind of evenings and also I did it because I was paid very handsomely. (Laughs). And I also liked Oprah enormously, I'd never met her before and I was curious. I liked her enormously, she has a great sense of humor.

Are you surprised by the enduring ardor of the fans?
Yes, I am in a way even though it has a timeless quality there is still something slightly old fashioned about it, perhaps that's what appeals to them, I don't know. It appeals to the very young but it does surprise me that people who are in their teens because it's the opposite to anything out there. But I don't spend every day thinking about it until somebody like YOU brings it up. (Laughs)

I'm sorry! But you know it comes from love.
I know, of course.

'Beginners' is in select theaters on June 3.

More Q&As From Nicki Gostin: Geoffrey Rush, Keira Knightley, Jerry Seinfeld and Robert Redford

Tags: Beginners, Christopher Plummer, The Sound of Music

Comments

(149)

Thursday 02 June

By PIZZAMAN

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ALONG WITH GODFATHER ONE AND TWO, THE SOUND OF MUSIC IS ON MY TOP TEN LIST. ITS A SHAME HE FEELS THAT WAY ABOUT THE FILM. HE WAS EXCELLENT IN IT.

Friday 03 June

By the truth

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

What else would you expect from a Canadian. They are all cartoon characters.

Sunday 05 June

By P Fisher

Really? He should be happy, that film meant a lot me, it was the first picture my mother-in-law went to. I took her and that was quite an achievement

By dfhngretgff

I think between Sound of Music and Star Wars, those are my two favorite movies. And because of that movie alone, I want to go to Austria & Switzerland. I want to see that house expeciallyI love this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via agegapsin gles.c'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends.. Just love it

By tywerye

'styshops"
"
Finally (48 hours) time limit to buy.

A F, A r m a i n i，e d h a r d y, l a c o s t e,t s h i r t s -12

A I R M A X 2 0 1 1,s h o e s -35

A F,E D H A R D Y , b i k i n i -17

C O A C H B A G,C H A N E L B A G-35

O a k e y ， c o a c h , g u c c i , A r m a i n i，s u n g l as s -15

Tips (48 hours after the special product is invalid)

'styshops"

By Ginger Allain

The Sound of Music is one of the greatest musical films ever made. It is a gentle story of a wonderful family and a different time in this world. I love the music and always will. It is quite saddening that the male lead in such a beloved film would put it down like this..... However, my favorite film that Christopher Plummer played in was "Jesus of Nazareth" in which he portrayed Herod Antipas. His acting in this movie is exemplary. Thank you Sir for a wonderful career in acting and the many joys you have given us, yes, even in "The Sound of Music!"

By Joanna

Probably my most favorite movie ever!! I wonder why he dislikes being reminded of it so much because it is so great. Wish we still had movies like that. In today's scripts, without the use of the "F" word every other sentence, the script wouldn't be long enough to produce a ten minute movie.

By joan

Shame on you Christopher. Stop being so crotchity over the film that made you a star and bad mouthing it. You have done well as a result of that film, so live with it and no more nasty remarks please.

By pritche1

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I agree with joan. He's made millions if not trillions on this movie. It's to bad that he's got such a nasty outlook on this great movie. He might as well hang up his career as far as I'm concerned. He hasn't been a good actor since.

By sbbntexas05

Mr. Plummer was a star and established stage actor way before SoM!

By Donald Ramsey

The Sound of Music is one of my all-time favorite films. I am surprised Christopher Plummer is so down on it.

By Dsnowbird2

Wasn't this a true story? I thought it was a true story!

By anni

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Honey, based on a true story, with much b.s. attached. Yeah, real families sing at their Austrian Balls all the time. bah ha ha

By Enough Already

Shameful that he does not appreciate the fact that he was privileged to be in such a great movie. The Sound of Music could not be produced today and tell the story that families could enjoy.

By Diana

I very much agree...

By mona

Oh people shut up and let it go! If he doesn't like the film, he doesn't like the film. I don't even like the film.

By jesse

Mona...You shut up, of course you don't like it - it is way before your time and besides the fact that you have never even seen it...

By mcc1cam

I'm with you Mona...the film gives me diabetes! Plummer was a star before "Sound of Music," and still is. He didn't even want to do the film, but had to fufill his contract. A lot of actors did films they didn't like, but had no choice if they didn't want to be sued - especially pre-1970's. "The Sound of Music," while popular, is NOT considered a great film - check ratings on American Film Institute's site. And no, to the others who post - I'm not 12 years old, I'm an entertainment writer, with a Master's in American Cinema.

By R Gutierrez

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It Is too bad that he feels that way about Sound of Music But I think it is because he learned that he was Gay And could not deal with all the female falling in Love with Captain Vonn Trapp.
007 out
By the way Mona if you don't even like this movie I do not understand what are you doung reading this Article

By Betho42

I would like to know if he has heard Rundfunk Orchestra's take on The Sound of Music, and if he has , what does he think ? It is sooooo amazing.

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