Did anyone here see him on stage as Valmont?

No, did not know he played Valmont, but I can imagine. Where did you see it Mari?

I didn't even realize that was Rickman in Diehard. What a role reversal for Sense and Sensibility!

Amy; He was in 'Dangerous Liaisons', which is the Valmont story, on Broadway; I did NOT see it, more's the pity. They went with Malcovich when they went to film; a mistake, to my way of thinking. ;) Yse, Susan, another very versatile actor, although to me his voice gives him away. I love his adorable lisp.

Was he not wonderful in his vulnerability caused by his love for Marianne? I thought his heartfelt looks heartbreaking!

] I thought his heartfelt looks heartbreaking! __ When he begged Elinor to give him some employment when Marianne was sick? Ahhhh...

Yes, "give me an occupation or I shall run mad!" LOVE it!

And all his quick and maybe unintentional(from Brandon that is ,not Rickman) glances from aside at Marianne. The way he registered her infatuation with Willoughby , over and over again and attempted not to show his tortured heart...ooh, my heart aches for the dear Colonel. And Amy! His voice, so nasal and hoarse, does it not make your kneecaps melt?

Yes indeed, Ann2, my fellow admirer of voices. He does make my kneecaps melt, spring tingle, heart flutter, lips need licking -- all those things.

and all you want to know about this wonderful actor : http://www.tnef.com/alan_rickman.html

#9 lips need licking Shocking! Simply shocking! But I bet it would cheer the Colonel right up...

I thought Alan Rickman was particularly charming whilst he and Greg Wise wallflowered at the Columbia/Tristar S&S Oscar party last year...

Johanne, those pictures are wonderful. But who is Ruby?

"spring tingle" , now that calls for an explanation you might not be willing to give, Amy. I've never heard that before, is it a phrase you can use in drawingrooms? Synonyms will do... Thanks for abundance of pics Johanne, that one with Liam and the 'sneer' are my favourites today.

I meant "spine." My spring? Good name for something. I guess we coud add it to our secret vocab.

If it makes the spring tingle, it's good.

I know this will sound ridiculous, but I love it when is says to Elinor and Marianne that he wishes to issue and invitation to his house for a picnic. Watch his lips when he say picnic. definite "spring tingling" "lips licking" moment.

I don't think it's ridiculous at all . . . I particularly like the way he pronounces "issue," also. His voice is so mesmerizing, almost hypnotic. He definitely grew in my admiration.

Mesmerizing, indeed. I only wish I had seen his as Valmont on stage. The menace of Malkovich and the charm of Firth. What a production that must have been!

Who's Ruby? Wish I knew...

Is Alan Rickman married? For a man who just turned 50, I would have thought him married.

According to a 1994 article, he lives with his long-standing partner Rima Horton, an economics lecturer. They have no children.

Re: #13 and #20 -- Ruby may be Ruby Wax whom AR directed in a one-woman play a few years ago. I have heard her name mentioned recently by some of the gossip columnists on E! network (all right, all right, at least I don't buy the Enquirer). It s ounds like she has a London tv talk show (?) and recently interviewed Pamela Lee (Baywatch) and had some rather tacky comments to make about Ms Lee's, er, cleavage. (To be fair, the gossip mongers also said that Ms Lee invited Ms Wax to touch the silcone enhanced mammary glands!);-p

I've only seen Rickman in a few things but he was sensational. Diehard -- does that even count? -- Rasputin -- he was amazing (attention, lustful ladies -- I have never seen anyone come so close to exposing himself!!!)and I think there was something else, but I'm not sure now. (The mind fails about5 hours of drool message boards. Anyway, he's a terrific actor, and I'd like to ask you what films of his you'd recommend.

Rhea -- "Truly, Madly, Deeply" with Juliet Stevenson is wonderful, and of course he is a terrific Col Brandon in "Sense and Sensibility." There are several others which are also supposed to be quite good. You might want to check out a fan/appreciation location at http://www.fred.net/karina/rickman The guest book has a great deal of discussions about all things Rickman. And there are some marvelous photos.

Yes, he is great in Truly, Madly, Deeply! He is also hilarious in the Kevin Costner version of Robin Hood. He plays the Sheriff of Nottingham. I saw a video at the store that I have not had time to check out. It's called Mesmer, and it looks like Alan Rickman is the lead actor. In S&S I love when he is reading to Marianne outside at the end of the movie and says he has to leave, and she says to him "But you'll come again tomorrow, won't you?" or something similar. I feel so thrilled to think how Brandon must be feeling at that time. That is when he is going to get her the pianoforte for a surprise. Also loved their wedding shots.

Alan Rickman actually made Col Brandon very romantic for me. I had always considered him a bit too "dull" for Marianne from reading (and rereading) the novel. But, even though Rickman was 10-13 years older than the Colonel, he made me feel that he was deeply deserving of her. Ahh. Happy endings.

Barbara, I, too, felt glad for Brandon at that moment -- to finally have her act as if she wanted him in her life. What bliss it must have been for him!

Thanks for the suggestions. Can't wait to see Truly Madly Deeply ANYway, since it is the only other A Minghella film. (I read that he and AR are close friends). But I should kick myself for forgetting the first time I saw AR: in Michael Collins. It was a very ho-hum movie, 5 on a scale of 10, but AR was terrific -- very intense, intellectual, agonized. And I said "Who IS this guy" I couldn't believe I had never heard of him before. And I've absolutely got to see S & S again!

Ladies, I've got a question. Is "Beth" Col. Brandon's daughter in S&S?

Linda -- No. "Beth" (who is a second Eliza in the book) is the daughter of the woman with whom the Col. was in love when he was a young man. The screenplay changed the story somewhat, but left in the basic info. From the novel: Col Brandon had nearly eloped with the first Eliza, but his father forced her to marry the Colonel's older brother. (Eliza had money, and the father wanted it for the estate.) Eliza was mistreated and left her husband, then she got preg nant and died. Col Brandon was the girl's guardian. (The Col. inherited the estate when his brother died.)

Kathleen - thanks for the info on "Beth." I couldn't remember how it was explained in the novel and someone suggested to me that Col. Brandon was the real father. That would have been quite shocking in those days, don't you agree!

Shocking? Yes, more so than today certainly. But, in the book, Col Brandon says that he is aware that some people (probably Mrs Jennings ?) think that his ward is actually his daughter. And, don't forget that Harriet Smith in EMMA is an illegitimate child ("the natural daughter of nobody knows whom"). So, it wasn't unheard of (or unspoken of either).

Actually, being illegitimate was quite common especially with noblemen/noblewomen, well as least in France, and not scene so much under a puritanistic light. Wouldn't be the same in England?

Johanne, I think in England illegitimacy fell somewhere between France and America. More than in the U.S. and the Puritan influence, but less than in France and not found so much in the upper echelons of society. Actually, it is believed that anyone wit h "Fitz" in their name is descended from an illegitimate son of a former King or nobleman, so the Fitzwilliams were descended from, perhaps, an illegitimate son of William the Conqueror, or William III, or a nobleman named William.

I saw Rasputin at the video store the other day. Is it worth renting?

I saw Rasputin at the video store the other day. Is it worth renting?

OOps! Didn"t mean to post twice. This is OT for Alan Rickman, but you were talking about illegitimacy in the upper echelons of British society. It seems that even being illegitimately connected to royalty was not always a cause for shame. Fergie was touted as having "royal" blood when s he married Prince Andrew, but it was illegitimate from Charles III My great-grandfather's grandfather was George IV (The Prince Regent), and of course illegitimate, as he had no legal heirs. He was made a baronet (the illegitmate son), and the title has stayed in the family. (My mom's cousin will be the next barone t). It sounds impressive now (maybe, to some people), but the origin is quite shocking!

Barbara: I saw Rasputin at the video store the other day. Is it worth renting? Yes, yes! It was a wonderfully acted movie -- AR was incredible. His eyes were practically wild-looking. There was a little hamming it up in places, but I was very impressed. Ian McKellan & Greta Scacchi were very good as the Czar & Czarina, too. I c ould kick myself that I didn't tape it when it was on HBO last year. (Cannot say how accurate the interpretation of events was, but I understand that there isn't a lot of factual information available.)

Re: Rasputin - Alan Rickman won the Emmy for his performance and I think also some other awards. Meant to be very good. Glad to hear it's available for rent, since we don't have HBO. I'll look for it.

I believe he also won the Golden Globe for Rasputin. It's a must see if you are a Rickman fan -- he is very believable.

Has anyone seen An Awfully Big Adventure? If I am not mistaken, Rickman is in this, too. I didn't like the movie well enough to even finish watching it, as seeing "Colonel Brandon" in sex scenes was too much, but it might appeal to others.

Same thing happened to me, Lynn. I wasn't really in the mood for it the time I tried it, but I made a note to try again, because it did seem well put together.

What did you all think of him as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Kevin Costner's Robin Hood? I though he was hilarious!

Barbara - Loved him in Robin Hood. Thought he looked great with the long hair even though he was such a villian! The movie itself was great. We're often quoting more memorable lines from it around our house. "Recognize this?" or "Because it's dull....It'l l hurt more you twit!"

My fave Sheriff quote "Oh. And one more thing, cancel Christmas!" ;-)

Yes, I loved the "Cancel Christmas!" and thought he looked great with long hair too! I also thought it was funny when he saw some girl in the hall and told her to come to his room, and then he adds as an afterthough, " and bring a friend" Actually I really liked the whole movie, which had another of my favorite actors--Morgan Freeman. Now I want to see this movie again!

Altough I did not like K. Costner's rendition of RHood, thanks to Alan Rickman, he save what was left. He was so funny, echoe those brilliant lines mentionnned above :) AL with long and dark hair! Thanks Inko, just love to learn anything related to history :) Barbara, for most of the aristocratie, sure is not a road paved of gold anymore. Yes do rent Rasputin and why not make it a double bill with Mesmer another in the same vein An Awfully Big Adventure : very interesting! Same reaction Amy and Lynn initially but was worth a second try. Consider it a very good movie even if it's neither happy nor sad, just in the middle which reminds me of some french films without beginning nor end. It does not leave you indifferent and lingers in your mind for a while. Loved Peter Firth as Bunny (have a soft spot for him anyway...). To be seen again

Biography cover At Golden Globe : In RHPoT:

Sorry didn,t quite came out as I thought...

Thanks for the AR pics Johanne. I'm curious to know why you did not like KC's rendition of Robin Hood.

Thanks for sharing, Johanne -- I'd forgotten what he looked like in that role, but these pics bring it all back.

Kevin Costner came out all wrong : bland acting, could'nt take him seriously at all, and his accent was beyond anything remotely believable, all I could do was just to laugh. The movie looked like a cheap comical version especially after seeing Robin of Sherwood, a british TV series in the 80's. Even Morgan Friedman performance was diminished by association with Costner. And what about Christian Slater? the brother from the Br onx! I'm sorry to say I've seen it once and even twice for hubby) and the second time was too much. I longed to see a younger Robin Hood reminding me of Sean Connery's performance as the older one. I'll say it again, thanks to Alan Rickman, he was what was good in it. Micheal Praed (sp?) was a very believable Robin, and for a more funny RH, I'll let Errol Flynn bold and comical portrayal sweep me away. Sorry for being so bold, did'nt mean any offense to anyone, but I must speak as I think :) and it would'nt be fun if we had all the same opinion :)

]I'll let Errol Flynn bold and comical portrayal sweep me away. _________ Amen, sister!

Johanne, I remember that BBC series, and I agree it was great - much more complex characters. I also liked the Robin Hood with Uma Thurman

Haven't seen that one yet but anything remotly connected to Robin Hood, Arthurian legends and Tintagel, and a favorite Tristan and Iseult. I'm very fond. For all the fans of that period may I suggest a master author in the field of anything related to Britany (on and off continent) : Jean Markhale Check this site : http://www.britannia.com/history/h12.html

Johanne, the Robin Hood I'm thinking of also came out in 1991, but was only shown on TV in th US. It starred Patrick Bergin as Robin, Uma Thurman as Marian and Jereon Krabbe as the Sheriff. It was a lot more gritty than the Costner production - a lot more about Norman/Saxon rivalry, and more "British" in its feel. A much more independent and determined Maid Marian as well. You might like it.

]more independent and determined Maid Marian as well. This I already like :) let you know my impression, thanks Kate

i adore alan rickman. i adore him to the point of speechlessness. he is the only movie star i have ever adored. i'm glad to hear that rasputin is rentable. i've never seen it around here, but maybe i can ask them to get it.

Talk about unbelievable: because I checked out this particular drool topic, I found out the name of a movie I've been searching for for ages. Thanks for all the RHood talk. When I was about 8yrs old and lived in Russia, they showed this British Robin Hood miniseries on TV and I absolutely fell in love with them. I remember myself and my cousin totally gaga over this. I remembered some details but not the name, but it made me into a devoted Hoodophile :). Well, I've been looking for it, but I couldn't reme ber the name for 10yrs at least. But after a few of you ladies kindly mentioned "Robin of Sherwood", I realised that was it, after checking the IMDB, and have bought a copy and now am very happy :) Thanks, y'all! And since it is AE drool, I must admit that his Sheriff was the only thing that kept me watching Costner version of the story. And he did steal S&S as Brandon. Gratefully yours, marshA

Has he ever NOT stolen a movie? Could you take your eyes off of him in DIE HARD? I kept saying to myself, over and over again, "Who is this guy?" Has anyone seen The Winter Guest yet?

Man, that photo on the door is a scene stealer, Nanner! Every time it comes up, my eyes go straig for the man in the hat standing in the wheat field. Dontcha just wanna run out and hug him? The man is magnetic. Mezmerizing. There simply is no way around it.

(Charlotte) Dontcha just wanna run out and hug him? Only if he talks dirty in my ear ;-p OY! The voice! :-)~~~

Hi, girls, I finally made it here. So, who is Alan Rickman? Teach me! Ooh, I feel like such a virgin around here.

Here you go, Riette... Interesting, no? I think you have to hear the voice to get the full effect. Oh, wait...if you like Kevin Costner, perhaps you saw Robin Hood? Alan Rickman was the Sheriff of Nottingham.

BTW, forgot to mention that the above photo came from Barbara's archives...

Oh yes, I do remember him! Didn't he have a moustache or a beard in Robin Hood?

Didn't he have a moustache or a beard in Robin Hood? Yes. If possible, rent Truly Madly Deeply, my 2nd favorite role, after Sense and Sensibility. He has a quiet magnetism that is both sexy and quiet. I guarantee that you'll be hooked after watching just these two films. Like most Americans, I first noticed him when he completely stole Die Hard from flashy action hero Bruce Willis. Whenever he was on screen, you simply were not able to take your eyes off him.

Oh, he's the guy from Truly Madly Deeply? I thought it was a wonderful film! Bruce Willis has never really had the show in ANY of his films that I saw. I find him to be one of those actors who rely on action and special effects to make his perfomance worth watching. I only saw Die Hard III of the Die Hard films, and thought Samuel L. Jackson way way better than him.