"Built around a 14-hour interview, 'Playing the Part' uncovers McKellen's story. From his upbringing living through the war, working through repertory and West End theatre becoming a pioneering stage star, coming out and being a leader in the campaign for equality, to his mainstream film breakouts as Magneto and Gandalf. His work and influence transcends generations, celebrated here in this fully authorised insight.
'McKellen: Playing the Part' features unprecedented access to private photo albums, a wealth of never-before-seen archive material, including diaries written when he was 12, and unseen behind the scenes of theatre shows and films, alongside his personal thoughts on a life long lived." (Trafalgar Releasing)
"'Human beings', reflects Ian McKellen, 'are acting all day long. It's not yourself you offer to the world, but part of yourself'. This insight is characteristic of a film that continually racks focus to the man behind the famous actor who, at the age of 79, has thought deeply about his work and life." (The Hollywood Reporter)
director: Joe Stephenson
With: Ian McKellen, Scott Chambers, Luke Evans, e.a.
Credits
director: Joe Stephensonproducer: Mark Birmingham, Lene Bausager, Sophia Gibber
Editor: Joe Stephenson, Harry Yendell
Cinematography: Eben Bolter
production company: B Good Picture Company
More info
dialogue: Englishsubtitles: no subt
Country: United Kingdom
year: 2017
Filmography
JOE STEPHENSON: The Alchemistic Suitcase (2009, short), In Love With... (2011-2012, TV series), The Happy Prince with Stephen Fry (2014, TV movie), Chicken (2015), Random Acts: Ian McKellen on growing up gay and coming out (2017, short), McKellen: Playing the Part (2017).