Dirk Bogarde: Rank Outsider

by Sheridan Morley

From his birth in a taxi to his status as a best-selling author, here is the story of Dirk Bogarde, one of the best-loved and greatest film stars Britain has ever produced. Sheridan Morley's engaging biography—handsomely illustrated with 150 photographs—looks at the early years; his distinguished career in films like Death in Venice, The Night Porter, and A Bridge Too Far ; and the acclaim that came to Bogarde later in life as an accomplished novelist and memoirist. Sheridan Morley, who knew Bogarde for more than two decades, draws on their many years of conversations and interviews. The result is an absorbing portrait of a private, supremely talented man "who did, perhaps, always remain something of an outsider."

Genres: Biography, Film

192 pages, Paperback

First published October 17, 1996

About the author

Sheridan A. Morley (5 December 1941 − 16 February 2007) was an English author, biographer, critic and broadcaster. He was the official biographer of Sir John Gielgud and wrote biographies of many other theatrical figures he had known, including Noël Coward.

Morley was the eldest son of actor Robert Morley and grandson, via his mother Joan Buckmaster, of the actress Dame Gladys Cooper.

Reviews

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like Dirk Bogarde much to begin with.

But his seemingly effortless acting style,
reminding me of Peter Finch,
quickly won me over.
I was prepared to watch even when the film sounded trite
or on a subject that didn't interest me.
I surprised myself when I bought this book some years ago,
and was pleased when I enjoyed every page.
Dirk was renowned for being in many second-rate British films but
saving them because of his acting style.He then took his talents to Europe rather than Hollywood and worked for directors like Visconti, Fassbinder,Alain Resnais, Bertrand Tavernier and Joseph Losey.He had also worked with excellent British directors such as Richard Attenborough,Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger, and Basil Dearden whose film "Victim" with Dirk, helped to change the oppressive homosexual laws in Britain.
To go into his significant films in more depth it is necessary to read Dirk's several autobiographical books. This book gives you a taste of ALL his films and does the job very well, but of course often leaves you wanting...MORE!!!

Now here I am to repeat the journey,
using it as a Time Out from heavier works I'm pursuing.
Just as I used his last book of 1998 - he died the following year -
"For The Time Being", a collection of brief Book Reviews, Obituaries,
Recollections and Reminiscences.
So relaxing to dip into - a perfect mix of the light, the sharp, the serious and the profound.
(A necessary calming break from the two books
on the Wreck of the Batavia off the west coast of Australia
in 1629 and its chilling and bloody aftermath.)