As I delve into the lives of these exceptional actors who graced the sets of Stanley Kubrick‘s masterpieces, it strikes me how their experiences mirrored the enigmatic director himself – a blend of genius and eccentricity. Each of them, in their own way, seemed to have found a piece of paradise on set, much like Kubrick did in his secluded English manor.
Stanley Kubrick is widely recognized as one of cinema’s greatest visionaries, yet his reputation as a relentless perfectionist often left actors feeling frustrated due to the numerous takes he demanded. Consequently, he didn’t maintain many long-term collaborations like directors such as Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino. After working with Kubrick, an actor seldom sought future collaborations.
One chilling anecdote about Kubrick emerged from the set of his Stephen King adaptation, “The Shining,” where the filmmaker made Shelley Duvall rehearse the bat scene a staggering 127 times. Yet, not every actor who worked under Kubrick’s direction considered him challenging to collaborate with.
Stanley Kubrick, a filmmaker, is admired by many, who have willingly shared anecdotes about their interactions with him. Their stories present a portrait of a man not typically harsh, but rather one who held himself and his collaborators to exceptionally high standards. Given that he was more than just a skilled cinematographer, but also a researcher, writer, editor, and color expert, it’s clear that Kubrick was meticulous about every aspect of his work. This dedication to perfection led many of his films to push the boundaries of cinema and become iconic in their respective genres.
compilation of actors, each of whom praised their experiences collaborating with the renowned perfectionist.
10 Nicole Kidman
‘Eyes Wide Shut’ (1999)
Nicole Kidman played the role of Alice, a contented housewife married to a prosperous physician, in Stanley Kubrick’s less-acknowledged erotic Christmas chiller titled “Eyes Wide Shut“. Despite possessing all the luxuries one could desire, Alice harbored dissatisfaction and found herself drawn to a naval officer she encountered during her holidays, which inevitably led to tension in her marriage.
Kubrick “Stoked a Fire”
It’s said that Kidman and her then-spouse Tom Cruise unexpectedly visited Kubrick’s estate, leading to their potential casting in the movie. At that moment, Kidman was shooting The Portrait of a Lady in England. According to Entertainment Weekly, Kubrick didn’t want Kidman to take on other projects until Eyes Wide Shut was finished, which ultimately proved problematic as the filming for the erotic thriller lasted longer than anticipated (15 months), making it into the Guinness Book of Records for having the longest continuous shoot.
Nevertheless, Kidman credits her time collaborating with Kubrick as a key factor in honing her acting skills. In a conversation with the Wall Street Journal, she praised his unique approach, stating that he “never provided straightforward solutions, but instead ignited a spark of creativity within me.
9 Sterling Hayden
‘The Killing’ (1956) and ‘Dr. Strangelove’ (1964)
Sterling Hayden is among the select few actors who had the opportunity to collaborate with Stanley Kubrick on two different projects. Renowned for his roles in film noir and Western movies, Hayden initially joined forces with Kubrick in “The Killing,” where he portrayed a recently released convict plotting a robbery. Later, he took on the role of the unhinged General Ripper in “Dr. Strangelove,” a film that significantly contributed to the rise and appreciation of dark comedy as a genre.
Hayden’s Second Stint was Tougher
Initially, Hayden’s agent discouraged him from collaborating with Kubrick, calling him an “eccentric.” However, Hayden chose to trust his instincts and worked with him instead. A rare interview from the Huntley Film Archives shows this. Despite the challenges during the filming of Dr. Strangelove, where Hayden struggled despite numerous takes, Kubrick remained patient, even offering encouragement when needed.
Sterling, I understand that you’re caught up in something beyond your control, and likewise, I’m unable to assist you. However, the fear you’ve been showing might be exactly what we need for this hard-nosed General Jack Ripper; if it isn’t, come back in a few months, and we’ll revisit this conversation.
With that boost of confidence, Hayden set off. He visited a local tavern in a neighboring town for some refreshments, then came back and performed his duties as expected.
8 Danny Lloyd
‘The Shining’ (1980)
Although Danny Lloyd is currently a Biology professor, he will always be recognized as the compassionate cyclist from “The Shining.” In the movie, Lloyd portrayed Danny, the son of the antagonist, Jack Torrance, and played an essential part in thwarting him.
Kubrick was Like a Cool Dad on Set
As I reminisce about my time on the set of “The Shining,” I can’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude towards the director who went above and beyond to make me feel at ease. Unlike what many might expect from a horror film, he was incredibly caring and took great pains to prevent me from being scared.
Stanley was wonderful. I vividly recall our games of catch and throwing the ball around with him. Activities such as those come to mind. He was a large man with a beard, yet I never felt fearful or intimidated in his presence.
Instead of following their own rhythm, Lloyd and his family found themselves moving in sync with Kubrick’s beat. They were informed that the shoot would last for about 17 weeks, but instead, they ended up spending nearly a year in the UK, due to Kubrick’s meticulous nature. Yet, Lloyd expresses that he would happily repeat the experience.
7 Matthew Modine
‘Full Metal Jacket’ (1987)
Matthew Modine is primarily recognized for portraying the main character, Private (later Sergeant) J.T. “Joker” Davis, in the film “Full Metal Jacket“. Following an intense training period under the strict guidance of Sgt. Hartman (played by Lee R. Emery), Joker and his team are subsequently deployed to Vietnam, where they encounter even more grueling hardships.
Temporary Volatility
Modine famously fought with Kubrick about the director’s refusal to allow him to leave the set to be with his pregnant wife in the delivery room. However, he grew to appreciate the director and his vision.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he said:
Few realize that Kubrick possessed a remarkable wit and humor. Given his presence today, one could envision him excelling in crafting a comical piece highlighting the ironic absurdity exhibited by leaders such as Putin and Trump.
Kubrick and humor? That’s new. We’ll take it though.
6 Marie Windsor
‘The Killing’ (1956)
Marie Windsor played the role of Sherry, a cunning wife in the heist team, within the film titled “The Killing“. After discovering her husband’s plans, she confides in Val, her lover, about the details. As expected, events become complex and situations reminiscent of “Reservoir Dogs” unfold.
Zero Incidents
Among a select group of actors, Windsor was one who conversed with The New York Times about Kubrick, and she only had positive remarks to share. In her opinion, the filming location for “The Killing” boasted an exceptional work atmosphere.
He never raised his voice towards the team or anyone else. Whenever he had a suggestion for me or an adjustment to make, he’d simply wiggle his finger and we’d move aside so he could explain, either expressing what he desired or what he didn’t.
Just like Nicole Kidman, Windsor acknowledges Stanley Kubrick for enhancing her acting abilities. Under his guidance, she came to understand the significance of consistently shifting her gaze during close-up shots.
5 Tom Cruise
‘Eyes Wide Shut’ (1997)
In the movie, Cruise acted alongside his former spouse, Nicole Kidman, in “Eyes Wide Shut.” The story depicts him as a wealthy physician in a troubled marriage. When she confesses her yearning for another man, he experiences deep sorrow and embarks on a quest for vengeance that eventually leads him to the entrance of a secretive cult dedicated to sexual rituals.
Cruise and Kubrick Had Much in Common
It was speculated that the production of “Eyes Wide Shut” may have placed stress on Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman’s marriage, leading to its end; however, they refuted these claims emphatically. In fact, they both delivered speeches at the funeral of the filmmaker.
In a conversation with Roger Ebert, Tom Cruise openly admitted they both possess a significant commonality. He put it this way: “We have a notable similarity.
I’m accustomed to putting in long hours at work. I can easily put in 15 hours a day, and I’m committed to giving my all to make things succeed. However, if he noticed that I was exhausted or the situation wasn’t going as planned, he never showed signs of panic. He always knew there was time to adjust. In any case, he had the flexibility to step back, assess, and correct as needed. He didn’t let stress build up.
The actor is widely recognized as a dedicated and meticulous individual, which explains why he has appeared in an impressive 44 films over the course of the same number of years. For him, work always takes priority, and we admire his commitment to his craft.
4 Shelley Winters
‘Lolita’ (1962)
Both “Lolita” and the novel it’s derived from remain relevant, despite their focus on a theme that is generally considered inappropriate (hebephilia). However, the film is widely recognized for the exceptional acting performances, especially Shelly Winters, who portrays Charlotte, a sexually frustrated widow, who becomes infatuated with her tenant.
Focused on the Job
Winters’ work in the movie triggered plenty of praise and earned her a Golden Globe nomination. It also opened more doors for her in her career, something she is completely grateful for. She was one of the actors interviewed by The New York Times shortly after Kubrick’s death, noting how he “would discuss the scene with you, and you never thought you were being directed until you saw the rushes the next day.” From a bizarre confession, Winters also acknowledged Kubrick’s professionalism, recalling that she “decided to flirt with him while I was dancing in a sexy way, and he said, ”That’s it!”
3 Paul Mazursky
‘Fear and Desire’ (1952)
Stanley Kubrick’s initial directorial work, titled Fear and Desire, follows a troop of soldiers who find themselves in trouble after their plane crash lands beyond enemy territory. One of the soldiers, portrayed by Paul Mazursky as Pvt. Sidney, is tasked with guarding a native girl they’ve captured. However, his affection for her goes unrequited, leading him to act aggressively towards her.
Kubrick’s Worst Movie?
Kubrick is said to have strongly disliked the film “Fear and Desire” to such an extent that he attempted to destroy all existing copies. He found it lacking in comparison to his other works, but many of the actors who worked on it had a positive experience, including Paul Mazursky, who was amazed by Kubrick’s dedication and ambition. In fact, Mazursky admitted that he “had never encountered anything like it” before.
2 Kei Dullea
‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968)
1968’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” depicted a conflict between man and artificial intelligence long before AI was widely recognized. In this movie, HAL, an advanced AI system for a spaceship, displays antagonistic behavior when the crew disregards its instructions. Keir Dullea plays Dr. Bowman, one of the scientists on board.
Kind… On and Off the Set
Much like other films directed by Stanley Kubrick, 2001 is filled with fascinating production tales, one of which involves Kubrick destroying all props to prevent less skilled directors from utilizing them in their own work. Yet, Dullea enjoyed every moment. In an interview with the New York Times, he reminisced about how Kubrick “often invited Gary Lockwood and myself for dinner at his luxurious residence.” He further mentioned that Kubrick often hosted a variety of people from various backgrounds and professions. This was one method Kubrick used to keep the actors inspired.
1 Sydney Pollack
‘Eyes Wide Shut’ (1999)
In the movie “Eyes Wide Shut,” it appears that everyone involved relished their time on set, even though the film received more negative reviews compared to Stanley Kubrick’s other productions. Sydney Pollack played a malicious character in this film, portraying one of Dr. Bill Harford’s patients, Victor Ziegler. As the story unfolds, we discover that Ziegler is a prominent figure in an underground sex cult. True to form, he entangles Bill in the clandestine group’s activities and attempts to exert power over him.
Made in England
In a different wording: Pollack was the last one among the group of actors who were interviewed by The New York Times, and even he only spoke highly of the experience. Regarding topics outside of filmmaking, he challenged some common beliefs about the director, particularly his decision to reside at Childwickbury Manor in England.
“People say he had these phobias, he wouldn’t go here and wouldn’t go there. The truth is he lived in a paradise — there wasn’t any reason for him to go anywhere. It was a kind of a heaven.”
It almost feels like Ian Fleming and Jamaica. Sometimes, talented minds need unique environments.
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2024-12-02 07:32