It actually comes as no surprise that the British Academy of Film and Television Arts have announced the legendary John Hurt, will receive an achievement award at this years forthcoming ceremony. In fact, for all Hurt’s incredible work over the years, it actually seems long overdue.
With countless iconic performances in his 50 year career, (that shows no sign of stopping anytime soon – even at the age of 72 ) John Hurt will be rewarded with the BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema. Here is the full official press release by BAFTA.
Universally acclaimed for his acting talent, Hurt’s vast range of distinguished performances has shaped an impressive career spanning six decades.
The Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award, introduced in 1978, is presented annually in honour of Michael Balcon. Previous recipients include Mike Leigh, Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jarman, Mary Selway, Ridley and Tony Scott, Working Title Films and Lewis Gilbert. Last year’s recipient was the Harry Potter series of films.
Hurt has starred in a variety of remarkable film roles working alongside some of the most important figures in the industry including Orson Welles, Laurence Olivier, Richard Burton and Steven Spielberg. The legendary characters he has portrayed include Winston Smith in Nineteen Eighty-Four, Rich in A Man For All Seasons – a film which won seven BAFTA Awards and six Academy Awards – and Max in Midnight Express, for which he won the BAFTA and Golden Globe awards for Best Supporting Actor.
Hurt also won the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor in 1976 for The Naked Civil Servant, which was followed by a British Academy Film Award for Best Actor for his outstanding performance in The Elephant Man in 1981. Throughout an impressive career he has received a further four BAFTA nominations (one for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Alien) and two Academy Award nominations. His most recent film roles have seen him starring as Ollivander in the Harry Potter series and Control in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – both films are BAFTA-nominated this year.
Tim Corrie, Chairman of BAFTA, said: “John Hurt is an actor it is both exciting and fascinating to watch. He has extraordinary screen presence and brings utter conviction to every role he undertakes. He is one of a kind, an iconic figure, and BAFTA is delighted to take this opportunity to honour his outstanding contribution to cinema.”
John Hurt added: “I know that film means a great deal to me but I had no idea that I meant so much to film. I feel very honoured.”
The Orange British Academy Film Awards take place on Sunday 12 February, hosted by Stephen Fry and broadcast on BBC One. They will be preceded by a special BAFTA ‘red carpet’ programme hosted by Edith Bowman on BBC Three.
After beginning his career like most actors, in numerous television and small supporting film roles, Hurt caught most peoples attention playing the tragic Timothy Evans in the John Christie-serial murder biopic 10 RILLINGTON PLACE. For all the iconic roles mentioned in the above press release, Hurt will always be remembered for myself as voicing Hazel in the first film, which I do not mind admitting, to have me crying like a little girl, 1978’s animated classic WATERSHIP DOWN.
Source: BAFTA
