Jon Vickers: Back by Popular Demand

After the overwhelming response (2 comments!!) to my last video of Jon Vickers being frighteningly good, I figured this would be a good follow-up. Vickers is known for portraying complex, emotionally-conflicted characters such as Tristan, Otello, and Florestan, but his legendary interpretation of Peter Grimes is surely his defining role. Against the composer's wishes, Vicker's turned Grimes into an explosive, violent brute, completely altering the public's perception of the outcast fisherman.

Here's Vickers performing Grimes's chilling final scene.

Vickers. Tristan. Enough Said.

I ran across this clip of Jon Vickers performing Tristan's death scene. The sound is terrible, and I'm not sold on the set or camera work, but the performance is terrifying. It's a complete loss of ego, total commitment to the character. His desperation and anguish are palpable. Vickers isn't merely portraying Tristan; he is Tristan.

Just another day at the office.