MCM: Ian Holm, Part Two – Frock Flicks

Today we finish up Ian Holm’s Man Candy Monday with part 2! For part 1, click here!

We, the Accused (1980)

Based on the true crime story of Dr. Crippen, who was hanged for the murder of his wife in 1910. Ian Holm plays said doctor.

Time Bandits (1981)

This marks Ian Holm’s second turn as Napoleon.

Inside the Third Reich (1982)

It seems like everyone is in this particular TV movie, including Derek Jacobi as Hitler, Rutger Hauer as Albert Speer, John Gielgud as Albert Speer, Sr., freaking Randy Quaid, Zoe Wanamaker, and Blythe Danner of all people … Ian Holm plays Joseph Goebbels.

Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984)

Ian Holm plays Capitaine Phillippe d’Arnot, who is discovered by John/Tarzan (Christopher Lambert) wounded in the jungle. Phillippe teaches John English and brings him back to England to be reunited with his family.

Dance With a Stranger (1985)

I’m not sure how I missed the fact this film exists because it’s got Miranda Richardson, Rupert Everett, and Ian Holm in it, it’s based on a true crime case, and the costumes look legitimately fabulous. Richardson plays Ruth Ellis, the last woman hanged in England. Holm plays Desmond Cussen, one of her paramours.

Dreamchild (1985)

Just reading over the Wikipedia entry about this film and I really think I’m going to skip it. Ian Holm plays Lewis Carroll, and yup, it’s a whole film about his entirely inappropriate obsession with a 10-year-old girl, and of course the story is being told in the most mild and uncritical terms imaginable. Nope, not gonna give this one the time.

Murder by the Book (1987)

Ian Holm takes a turn as Hercule Poirot, who invades the dreams of Agatha Christie (Peggy Ashcroft).

Henry V (1989)

My favorite Shakespearean adaptation ever. Ian Holm plays the snarky Welsh captain in Henry’s army, Fluellen.

The Tailor of Gloucester (1989)

An adaptation of a Beatrix Potter story, wherein Ian Holm plays a struggling tailor who is helped by some grateful mice he rescued. I wish I had mice to sew my costumes…

Hamlet (1990)

1990 Hamlet — Another of my favorites, and you can read all about why by clicking on the title. Ian Holm plays the busybody Polonius, father of Laertes and Ophelia.

Naked Lunch (1991)

I honestly didn’t realize this was a period film, because I always thought of it as a sci-fi film (and let’s face it, it is a Cronenberg film), but sure enough, it’s set in 1953. Ian Holm plays Tom Frost, the husband of one of the central characters in the plot.

The Advocate (1993)

Fabulous film, fabulous costumes, fabulous actors, terrible marketing in the U.S. thanks to known shitstain Harvey Weinstein. Ian Holm plays the monk Albertus.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994)

The costumes are lovely, and Ian Holm plays Frankenstein, Sr. Beyond that, I haven’t watched it yet. Someday…

The Madness of King George (1994)

Another one of our all around favorites here at Frock Flicks. Excellent costumes and fabulous actors, Ian Holm included. He plays Willis, one of the doctors brought in to treat the King’s affliction.

Big Night (1996)

I remember really enjoying this film when it came out, but a recent re-watch was hard to get through despite loving all of the actors in it. Ian Holm plays Pascale, the successful restaurant owner and direct competitor with Secondo’s restaurant (played by Stanley Tucci).

Esther Kahn (2000)

The descriptions for this film are all pretty sparse. It’s about Esther, a Jewish girl (played by Summer Phoenix) who wants to become an actress in the 19th century. Ian Holm plays… someone … Honestly, can someone clue me in here, or do I have to actually watch the film?

The Emperor’s New Clothes (2001)

Third and last time Ian Holm played Napoleon! I remember watching this film at one point but damned if I remember much about it.

From Hell (2001)

Ian Holm plays Sir William Gull, a renown physician in the employ of the Royal Family and the film’s prime suspect in the Jack the Ripper murders.

The Aviator (2004)

Ian Holm plays Professor Fitz, a fictionalized character based in part on David Grant, Howard Hughes’ weather forecaster.

O Jerusalem (2006)

Set during the 1947-1949 Palestine War, the film focuses on the friendship between two Americans, on Jewish and the other Arab, who are pulled into opposites sides of the conflict. Ian Holm plays David Ben Gurion, the first prime minister of Israel.

There we have it, all of Ian Holms’ frock flick roles! Which one is your favorite? Tell us in the comments!

More Frock Flicks

Tags: 1770s 1880s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s adapted from books Big Night (1996) From Hell (2001) Hamlet (1990) Henry V (1989) Ian Holm inspired by a true story Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994) murder mystery Napoleon playing fast & loose with history Shakespeare The Advocate (1993) The Aviator (2004) The Madness of King George (1994) Time Bandits (1981)

5 thoughts on “MCM: Ian Holm, Part Two”

Gray says:

August 21, 2023 at 9:22 am

“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” is not a good film, alas, but it has great costumes by James Acheson. And where else are you gonna see someone hanged in panniers???
Northcountry girl says:

August 21, 2023 at 9:44 am

Also “Chariots of Fire”! Of the ones shown above- probably Henry V – he brings me to tears when he bucks up King Henry after the battle: “ By Jeshu, I am your majesty’s countryman, I care not
who know it; I will confess it to all the ‘orld: I
need not to be ashamed of your majesty, praised be
God, so long as your majesty is an honest man.”
Boxermom says:

August 21, 2023 at 10:34 am

ZIGGY PIGGY – Oh wait, that wasn’t him. :)
ED says:

August 21, 2023 at 12:22 pm

Ma foi, look at the sheer magnificent arrogance of those moustaches! (I remain disappointed they never took Sir Ian’s take on Poirot and gave him a whole film to himself: the only character I would have been even more keen to see him play would be Renfield from DRACULA – he’d have brought the perfect blend of creepiness, madness and kindly-old-man-on-a bad-day to capture the literary character’s pathos).
Al Don says:

August 21, 2023 at 1:42 pm

Henry V is your favorite Shakespeare adaption? Damn fine choice. It was my favorite for many years, but got edged out by others. Very few others of course.

And great to see love for The Advocate (1993) and Big Night (1996). The pregnant pause scene in Big Night is one of the funniest ever.

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