The star of Nil by Mouth, Sexy Beast and The War Zone gave a fascinating and revealing Life in Pictures interview with Boyd Hilton.
BAFTA/JAMIE SIMONDS
Listen to Ray Winstone's A Life in Pictures
Please note; this recording contains explicit language, listen at your own discretion.
Download the transcript of the event: Ray Winstone's A Life in Pictures transcript
With self-deprecating humour and great warmth, Ray Winstone discussed the highlights of his career, including the actors that have inspired him and his favourite roles. From accidently making Albert Finney miss his cue in , to persuading Martin Scorsese to give him a different role in , Winstone gave a wonderful insight into his life as an actor.
I think if you’re ever satisfied with what you do, there’s something wrong with you.
Winstone spoke at length about how important rehearsals are to him before shooting a film and getting to know his fellow cast members: “even if you’re not doing the lines but you’re just together talking about it, when you do end up at work you’re actually more or less all on the same page.” He also revealed how he often feels “like a fish out of water”, and that “challenges me every time I go to work.”
He also expressed his admiration for Gary Oldman’s work , stating that as an actor, he is “the best director I’ve ever worked with.” It was this generosity of spirit which stood out in Winstone's frank and illuminating Life in Pictures interview.
Ray Winstone's Career in Film
Before his remarkable acting career began, Ray Winstone was a multiple schoolboy boxing champion. He recently stated that “because of the boxing, I found I was never scared when I walked on stage.” It is this fearlessness that has defined his career. From the vicious and uncompromising Ray in (1997) to the morally-conflicted Gary in (2000), Winstone has given a series of masterful performances which have left an indelible mark on film and television.
Winstone’s first major role was in Alan Clarke’s controversial television drama (1977). Banned by the BBC, It was remade as a film two years later. Winstone’s explosive performance as Carlin making his way up the borstal system remains an astonishing portrayal of youth violence on screen.
His career progressed in a range of film and television productions, such as (1979) and (1979), in which he was BAFTA-nominated for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles in 1980. Over the next fifteen years, he appeared in supporting roles in several popular television series, including (1984–1986), (1979–1994) and (1983–2004).
Soon after impressing in Ken Loach’s (1994), Winstone starred in Gary Oldman’s directorial debut A brutal exploration of domestic violence and drug abuse, it is often considered one of Winstone’s finest performances to date. Seething with unbridled rage, Winstone unflinching portrayal of Ray led to his second BAFTA nomination.
In the same year, he appeared in the television drama (1997). A devastating exploration of family grief after a child’s death, it further demonstrated the depth of Winstone’s talents. This continued to be displayed in While Sir Ben Kingsley often takes the limelight for his superb performance, it showed Winstone’s great generosity as an actor to give Kingsley the necessary space to unleash the psychopathic Don.
Over the past ten years, many leading Hollywood directors have been eager to make use of Winstone’s immense abilities, starring in Martin Scorsese’s (2006) and (2011), Steven Spielberg’s (2008) and most recently in Darren Aronofsky’s (2014). He has also continued to appear in several British television series, winning an Emmy award for (2005-2006) and seen smuggling diamonds in the historical drama (2013).
With upcoming roles in the remake of (2015) and Robert Carlyle’s (2015), Winstone looks set to continue his exciting career on both sides of the Atlantic, confirming his reputation as one of the most interesting and well-regarded British actors of his generation.
