“How you would love it here” Joss Ackland reads his own letter to his future wife Rosemary (1951)

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  • čas přidán 30. 07. 2024
  • letterslive.com/
    Preceded and followed by the reading of an extract from Romeo and Juliet (Act II Scene II). Joss Ackland introduces the letter himself as he performs the reading for LETTERS LIVE on April 2nd, 2015 at Freemasons’ Hall.
    Joss Ackland is an English actor who appeared in more than 130 film and television roles.
    Ackland joined the Old Vic in 1957, appearing alongside other notable actors including Maggie Smith, Judi Dench and Tom Courtenay. Ackland's career advanced with parts in The Sicilian, Lethal Weapon 2, The Hunt for Red October and White Mischief. He worked opposite Alec Guinness in the 1979 television serial Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, playing sporting journalist and intermittent British espionage operative Jerry Westerby. Ackland has also appeared in Passion of Mind with Demi Moore and the two-part TV serial Hogfather based on Terry Pratchett's Discworld. He played C. S. Lewis in the television version of Shadowlands before it was adapted into a stage play starring Nigel Hawthorne and then a theatrical film with Anthony Hopkins in the same role.
    His stage roles included creating the role of Juan Perón in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Evita opposite Elaine Paige. He also starred in the London production of Stephen Sondheim's and Hugh Wheeler's A Little Night Music with Jean Simmons and Hermione Gingold, performing on the RCA Victor original London cast album.
    In 2007, with his distinctive voice, Ackland narrated and provided the voice for the Robert Garofalo biography film/documentary on notorious Occultist Aleister Crowley, titled In Search of the Great Beast 666.
    In September 2013 Sir Jonathan Miller directed a Gala Performance of William Shakespeare's King Lear at the Old Vic in London. Ackland played Lear.
    In April 2015 Joss Ackland was invited to perform at LETTERS LIVE.
    LETTERS LIVE is a series of live events celebrating the power of literary correspondence. Inspired by Shaun Usher's Letters of Note, Letters Live is an initiative by publishing company Canongate and Benedict Cumberbatch’s production company SunnyMarch. It has become a phenomenon wherever is has played in the UK.
    The idea of LETTERS LIVE is simple: we ask talented, inspiring and high-profile artists from various disciplines to read letters out loud to our audiences. LETTERS LIVE celebrates letter writing and the art of correspondence first and foremost.
    For more videos, please visit our website letterslive.com/
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Komentáře • 101

  • @DavidGowers
    @DavidGowers Před 8 měsíci +11

    RIP Joss Ackland. A sad loss, true, but what a life! What a blessing to have been alive at a time when he was, to see him work, to see him BE...

  • @josephinerimmer6888
    @josephinerimmer6888 Před 11 měsíci +9

    That man’s beautiful voice has never changed. Thank heavens!

  • @mariamason1919
    @mariamason1919 Před 2 lety +25

    This absolutely WRECKED me. How lucky they were to have ended up finding each other and being together for so many years. How he misses her. He broke my heart. Amazing, truly, truly amazing.

  • @pgbear
    @pgbear Před 8 měsíci +8

    Wow. This is so powerful. Rest in peace, Sir.

  • @carolynzaremba5469
    @carolynzaremba5469 Před 3 lety +47

    This brought me to tears. How marvellous a man he is.

  • @cjcampbell37
    @cjcampbell37 Před 8 měsíci +6

    A life well lived. RIP Joss Ackland.

  • @janiemalina6283
    @janiemalina6283 Před rokem +5

    Wow, how deep can Love be expressed?!

  • @carabiner7999
    @carabiner7999 Před 3 lety +32

    That was absolutely amazing. His letter and the two different Romeos, as a three part play in one act; so very moving.

    • @donnabrown8732
      @donnabrown8732 Před 8 měsíci +1

      What a long and very fulfilled life he had. Blessed to have such a devoted wife and huge family. Hopefully some of them will follow in his footsteps. There’s nothing like an English gentleman performing Shakespeare 🇬🇧

    • @carabiner7999
      @carabiner7999 Před 8 měsíci

      @@donnabrown8732 Truly. Cheers.

  • @carringtonlefayette8644
    @carringtonlefayette8644 Před 3 lety +10

    The universe was showing off when Joss was made.
    Beyond brilliant.
    Australia.

  • @monicaaiken9746
    @monicaaiken9746 Před 3 lety +28

    Love embodied! ❤️What a charming and lovely, loving man! 🥰 What a glowing, vibrant soul! ✨His wife must have felt incredibly lucky and blessed for that Romeo in her life as a mere mortal! ❤️ He still looks up to Juliette’s window for her! What a man who knows how to cherish love for over 50 years and beyond death. 😍 yeah, he definitely was a keeper!

  • @zoecunningham3019
    @zoecunningham3019 Před rokem +6

    Mr Ackland, Your brilliantly emotional feelings on reciting Romeo, then reading of you personal love life was exquisite
    The pinnacle not but a few can even dream of reaching. Thank you dearly

  • @ceciliagincho6806
    @ceciliagincho6806 Před 10 měsíci +3

    What a voice! 🤩I'm always amazed by the 'voice talent' of british actors. Somebody said once that performance is 80% in the voice and 20% actually acting🎭. Joss Ackland is a living proof of it - such amazing, powerful expression of emotions! It brought tears in my eyes, and what is the most: Romeo and Juliet aside, Joss and his beloved wife Rosemary had been - and still are - very true. Such inspiring, hopeful testimony that love is not just a fiction, but a fact. And besides, the greatest of blessings on Earth as in Heaven.💚💖

  • @phoebec2020
    @phoebec2020 Před 3 lety +24

    What a privilege to see this, I am moved to tears.

  • @jadachi9528
    @jadachi9528 Před 3 lety +7

    As a man who has experienced this...i was moved to tears.

  • @MrMartibobs
    @MrMartibobs Před 3 lety +6

    Years ago, I was an extra on something Joss Ackland was starring in. Between filming, he entertained us with poems by heart including 'To his Coy Mistress' in full. Brilliant.

  • @Jerry_Westerby
    @Jerry_Westerby Před 7 lety +15

    His role as Jerry Westerby in the TV Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy was fantastic.

  • @christinewilkinson1715
    @christinewilkinson1715 Před 2 lety +3

    He lives locally and my daughter had the joy of serving him in the shop where she was working at the time. She found him charming and kind also ready to listen to advice.

  • @asedition8847
    @asedition8847 Před 6 lety +8

    God how lovely to have written something so beautiful. They were lucky to find that love.

  • @BCumberbatchMexico
    @BCumberbatchMexico Před 9 lety +39

    Joss Ackland! Bless Him! One of the most amazing actors in Britain.
    And what a beautiful presentation he made. Thank you very much for sharing!!

  • @DuluthTW
    @DuluthTW Před 6 lety +33

    A profoundly moving and unforgettable reading. I am eternally grateful that this is publicly available.

  • @jonathancrowhurst9321
    @jonathancrowhurst9321 Před 8 měsíci +2

    RIP - so wonderful

  • @James18925
    @James18925 Před rokem +4

    I sometimes listen to this ever month or so and I know what love is from him this should be listened to by everyone who wants to know what love is I had a love once and I am full of loss and grief but I know it was Love thank God

  • @martinala580
    @martinala580 Před 3 lety +8

    Oh this broke my heart. Such love & passion. Such hope & joy. Then, to realize loss... Such pain & sadness, longing, loss, heartache.

  • @vickifriend9285
    @vickifriend9285 Před 5 lety +14

    What an exquisite reading. The words reaching out from the depths of his heart. I was all but 22 when I saw him in A Little Night Music with Jean Simmonds and Hermoine Gingold. Perhaps I was too young to fully appreciate it then. I do now.

  • @WorldBiker
    @WorldBiker Před 3 lety +7

    Not going to lie, the end killed me.

  • @nikkiprock3013
    @nikkiprock3013 Před 8 lety +18

    WOW THIS WAS BEAUTIFUL. What a love story!!!

  • @geoffreyjonathanwilson5826

    Such a distinct voice and a
    truly great actor

  • @emmavink
    @emmavink Před 7 lety +9

    Oh lordie, I was absolutely BAWLING by the end of this video!

  • @kerenleivesley9504
    @kerenleivesley9504 Před 3 lety +9

    Wow, what a beautiful reading filled with raw emotion. Love never dies.

  • @emirares
    @emirares Před 4 lety +5

    What an emotion..such an amazing talent and he's almost 90 there.. Greetings from Turkey..

  • @GINNYYH24
    @GINNYYH24 Před 8 lety +11

    Saw 'Letters Live' last year and this still gets to me, beautiful.

  • @lcpoole54
    @lcpoole54 Před 3 lety +4

    What a performance. Honoured to have seen it

  • @iancraig5471
    @iancraig5471 Před 6 lety +15

    I just listened to Joss Ackland read "The Screwtape Letters". What a performance. What a talent.

  • @philreynolds2465
    @philreynolds2465 Před 11 měsíci +3

    Brilliant. I have saved this this episode of letters & have watched it a number of times.
    Each time I not only marvel at his skills as an actor. His different interpretation of the role, the emotion he portrays, its tangible but also allowing us (the public) to hear his so personal letter to the woman he loves. Thank you

  • @liambehanactor
    @liambehanactor Před 9 měsíci +2

    A masterclass. ❤

  • @karenmoore9958
    @karenmoore9958 Před 4 lety +4

    What a beautiful letter.

  • @samb1123
    @samb1123 Před 2 lety +3

    I am glad that his evil character in the movie Lethal Weapon is not all I know of him. This is a marvellous demonstration of his talent.

  • @randallpaul6559
    @randallpaul6559 Před 8 lety +10

    Love Joss and his work. A treasure!

  • @jajones-ford2226
    @jajones-ford2226 Před 8 lety +5

    Great actor. Beautiful love story

  • @tingneihatkuki8337
    @tingneihatkuki8337 Před 4 lety +4

    What a beautiful love and what a beautiful story. He made an ordinary life so extraordinary in those words and the intensity of the storry telling. Lots of love.

  • @biffe5716
    @biffe5716 Před 6 lety +4

    Just watched "Tales of the unexpected"; the colonel's wife. Then this. The way he reads his letter - so moving. Amazing after all those years.
    And it really puts Joss' acting abilities in perspective. In reality he is the sensitive one. Not at all like the colonel in "Tales of the unexpected".

  • @idc5309
    @idc5309 Před 7 měsíci +2

    Wow, absolutely phenomenal!

  • @troublessavage
    @troublessavage Před 2 lety +4

    It's a little freaky to see him deliver such emotion and then just... break character at the end. So beautiful though

  • @littleandy1209
    @littleandy1209 Před 2 lety +2

    What a fabulously eccentric performance! If Aleister Crowley had lived today, he might have slightly resembled Joss Ackland. ❤

  • @sarafisher9408
    @sarafisher9408 Před 8 měsíci

    What a great man in every way. I'm glad that he and his wife had many happy years together.

  • @heathergundry7059
    @heathergundry7059 Před 4 lety +2

    Thank you sweetheart. I am about to embark on a wonderful quest to watch your films. Can't wait. Starting today.🕶️👠👑🎩💎

  • @tonydoherty2190
    @tonydoherty2190 Před 4 lety +5

    A distinctive voice and intelligence something most American a list actors haven't got acting is an odd profession

  • @mphlohi
    @mphlohi Před 8 měsíci +2

    Well now you're back with your wife again Joss Ackland, may you both enjoy heaven together.

  • @danamichaels6936
    @danamichaels6936 Před 6 lety +3

    Sounds like he's describing Gillian Anderson!! I wonder sometimes if this is how DD feels about GA? Anyway, what a stunningly beautiful letter. This letter thing should go on forever

  • @salvatorecollura2692
    @salvatorecollura2692 Před 5 měsíci

    His voice was simply a miracle

  • @PC-lu3zf
    @PC-lu3zf Před 4 lety +2

    A wonderful actor I first saw in in Bill and Teds bogus journey he was only good thing in that film. And his menacing performance in Lethal Weapon 2 amazing.

  • @dxrulz4life
    @dxrulz4life Před 6 lety +1

    Very remarkable actor

  • @ConnorCarpenterGolfs
    @ConnorCarpenterGolfs Před rokem +1

    Mighty Ducks legend Hans

  • @annadelmonaco6050
    @annadelmonaco6050 Před 8 lety +2

    love this man!!!

  • @HaelRhys
    @HaelRhys Před 25 dny

    Well done! Joss! Well done.

  • @philreynolds2465
    @philreynolds2465 Před rokem

    Amazing actor. Thank you.

  • @nikiTricoteuse
    @nikiTricoteuse Před 8 měsíci

    I almost made it to the end but him doing the Romeo soliloquy again ended me. I can never decide who are the more fortunate - the never loved and never lost or the ones like Joss who found their great love but have to bear the terrible pain of having lost it.

  • @hallson2917
    @hallson2917 Před 8 měsíci

    Rest in Peace Ma Ackland!

  • @leejones8582
    @leejones8582 Před 8 měsíci +1

    RIP Joss 95 is a good age

  • @anitadavidson1266
    @anitadavidson1266 Před 3 lety

    What a beautiful man... I am incredibly moved.

  • @scape211
    @scape211 Před 4 lety +1

    Anyone ever play the soul reaver games? I'm sad we dont have Tony Jay around anymore, but this guy would make an awesome Elder God should they reboot the series. Amazing voice and talent all around.

  • @shirleyengebretsen3472
    @shirleyengebretsen3472 Před 11 měsíci

    Amazing

  • @pleappleappleap
    @pleappleappleap Před 2 lety

    His work in Citizen X was something else. Very subtle.

  • @Adrito7
    @Adrito7 Před 2 lety

    Bravo!!!👏👏👏

  • @nigelbagguley7410
    @nigelbagguley7410 Před 3 lety +2

    Holy shit wow: i'm not crying(he says at 52)

  • @sandie321
    @sandie321 Před 3 lety +1

    No words😭

  • @triddell
    @triddell Před 6 lety +2

    Fucking incredible.

  • @Ghostly8895
    @Ghostly8895 Před 8 lety +17

    Wanna hear something cool? I'm going to this guys house on Tuesday to install either rails or a disability ramp for him, My boss mike will let me know on the day but i'm pretty excited! I don't know too much about this guy but I know he's in Hogfather as Mustrum Ridcully and that's like one of my favourite show/movie :D

    • @heathergundry7059
      @heathergundry7059 Před 4 lety +1

      Watch the film clip to petshop boys always on my mind movie cut.

    • @Ghostly8895
      @Ghostly8895 Před 4 lety +7

      Heather Gundry it was a funny time meeting him... I told him I saw him in the hog father and he replied with “don’t you watch anything intelligent?” 😂 then he gave a me a signed book about his love/relationship and also showed us loads of clips from films he was in. I had the feeling that he really enjoys showing his roles in other films. He’s a nice guy for sure, very firm too

  • @Richarrow
    @Richarrow Před 2 lety

    Wow, no words.

  • @wildambulations
    @wildambulations Před 2 měsíci

    WOW. !!!

  • @Ewelllad
    @Ewelllad Před 8 měsíci

    R.I.P.

  • @pleappleappleap
    @pleappleappleap Před 2 lety

    I'm crying.

  • @interested-q4d
    @interested-q4d Před 4 měsíci

    joss ackland was the best d'artagnan ever.

  • @TonyKanameKuran
    @TonyKanameKuran Před 7 lety +9

    Diplomatic Immunity!

    • @pyromiko
      @pyromiko Před 5 lety +1

      It's Just Been Revoked!

  • @glenysbatley195
    @glenysbatley195 Před 3 lety

    How beautiful

  • @PaulHodgsonESG
    @PaulHodgsonESG Před 8 lety +6

    A 12:44 masterclass!

  • @avguidotti
    @avguidotti Před 9 lety +6

    Its JUST been revoked!

  • @metalmaniac8603
    @metalmaniac8603 Před 8 lety +2

    He has the same voice as Tony Jay!

  • @heathergundry7059
    @heathergundry7059 Před 4 lety +1

    I am buying a typewriter and writing Joss a fan letter this payday. He's just lovely

  • @heathergundry7059
    @heathergundry7059 Před 4 lety

    I wish someone would write something like that for me...

  • @Andulamb
    @Andulamb Před rokem +1

    Shadowlands, 1986. See it.

  • @navylaks2
    @navylaks2 Před 5 lety +2

    Diplomatic immunity ;)

  • @abourashadjamel4470
    @abourashadjamel4470 Před 4 lety

    Please tell me how i can watch his role as goering thanks !

  • @KinnArchimedes
    @KinnArchimedes Před 5 lety

    Good ole Chuck De Nomolos

  • @TheOneTakeLiveCast
    @TheOneTakeLiveCast Před 3 měsíci

    Diplomatic Immunity

  • @ppuh6tfrz646
    @ppuh6tfrz646 Před 3 lety +1

    This guy has always given me the creeps.
    *BIG TIME.*

  • @makemarker
    @makemarker Před 3 lety

    Diplomatic immuniteeey... banggg

  • @melissaaldosari8024
    @melissaaldosari8024 Před rokem

    💜💜💜🥹😢

  • @heathergundry7059
    @heathergundry7059 Před rokem

    Joss how Are You?

  • @backcombed2559
    @backcombed2559 Před 4 lety +1

    Pet shop boys brought me here and lethal weapon two,DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY,

  • @sjcobra84
    @sjcobra84 Před 8 lety +1

    He looks like Scolar Visari from Killzone.

  • @ild4099
    @ild4099 Před 5 lety +2

    Stop him! He's going to reesemble the nephilim!!! XD

  • @TheKrisg50
    @TheKrisg50 Před 3 lety

    Wow. There’s nothing else to say.