He was in many films I remember well, with iconic performances in several but I think all things considered his turn as Sam Mussabini in Chariots of Fire is my favorite. The scene in the bar where’s he’s not allowed to actually be at the Olympics but he watches the UK flag being raised is one that is burned into my memory, as is the later scene in that same bar where Ben Cross is sitting stunned after winning the Gold Medal.
His career, it’s amazing: great performances in Alien, Time Bandits, Henry V, Lord of the Rings, and I haven’t even seen several of the others folks here have mentioned.
If you haven’t seen The Big Night, it’s a gorgeous small film. Stanley Tucci, Tony Shaloub, Ian Holm, Isabella Rossellini, Allison Janney. Louis Prima music. And food! What more could you ask for?
By coincidence I watched Ratatouille with my daughter today, in which Ian Holm gives a great villain performance as the spiteful head chef. Reminiscent of that Napoleon performance!
Its funny because I remember him the most for his reading of the LOTR series. My kids were young and they listened to it. I thought it was so spot on when he played Bilbo in the movie.
Do you mean the BBC 12hr radio version where he voices Frodo?
That was my first introduction to him and only MUCH later (I think while watching 5th Element), realized WHY his voice was so familiar.
I think I’ve listened to that series at least a dozen times, so for me he’ll always be Frodo and why it was so special to see him play Bilbo in the movie version.
Which is on Prime, btw. I skipped through to my favorite scenes, since I’ve probably seen it a couple dozen times (I’d say it’s pretty close to my favorite movie).
That scene where Secondo says “You are nothing” and Holm gets very still and gives the line: “I’m a businessman. I’m anything I need to be at any time. Tell me, what exactly are you?” with a tiny ironic smile…mwah chef’s kiss.
Every time someone mentioned another movie I thought “yeah he was in that one too!” I had forgotten his role in The Fifth Element. I have Big Night on my list of shows that I want to watch sometime… Sounds like I’m watching it tonight!
Sad to see him gone but he left such an incredible body of work.
Given the chance, he could filch an entire film. Whenever moviegoers I’ve talked to mention “Chariots of Fire” (1981), they always, without exception, mention Holm’s performance as the trainer Sam Mussabini, which brought him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. It is Sam who prepares Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) for the hundred-metre sprint at the Paris Olympics of 1924, and who, on the day, can’t bring himself to watch the race. Instead, he waits alone in a nearby hotel room, from where, at last, he hears “God Save the King” and sees the Union Jack flag ascend. His boy has won. And how does he signal his joy? By sitting on the bed and punching a fist through the top of his straw boater. He laughs at his own audacity, then quickly stifles the laugh. Again, it’s the clarity of Holm’s movement that stays with you. Any more would mean less.
Although, I thought that in the film he was actually banned from attending the race. Either Anthony or I has misremembered…
For millions of viewers, Holm was Bilbo, in two of the three parts of Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings,” and again in the two halves of “The Hobbit.”
Did Holm appear in framing scenes in the Hobbit movies? Otherwise, check your facts, Anthony. Also, there were 3 Hobbit movies, more’s the pity.