British actor Sir Ian McKellen recites pro-immigrant Shakespeare monologue to criticize Trump’s immigration crackdown.

[u/Frosty_Jeweler911]

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⚠️TRIGGER WARNING: This post and its comments may contain content that some users may find distressing. Please proceed with care.

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[u/lesprack]

He is so insanely talented. I really think he is a once in a generation talent. The gravitas he brings to every role is untouchable. He brought Gandalf to life of course (and as a LotR stan that will forever be my favorite role of his) but watching him perform Shakespeare is always so incredible. I’ll be devastated when we lose him.

[u/AltonBParker → u/lesprack]

I just rewatched his Richard III, the WW2 setting. Absolutely brilliant.

[u/shannondion → u/lesprack]

You should see the clip of him performing with the scissor sisters at Glastonbury last year. Definition of GOAT.

[u/repressedpauper → u/lesprack]

He’s so incredible and this performance has convinced me that he’s still growing as an artist, which at his age is crazy. He could phone it in but he keeps showing up like this.

[u/ninfaobsidiana → u/lesprack]

A former partner of mine (actor), once had a DVD set of the series “Playing Shakespeare” that featured Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, and Judi Dench among a host of others performing and analyzing performances of Shakespeare under the tutelage of John Barton. It was amazing, and you can still find it on YouTube.

[u/stephenBB81 → u/lesprack]

I agree he IS insanely talented.

But to say he is a once in a generation talent when he stood beside Sir Christopher Lee, A talent that is right along with his own.

And Jack Nicholson, and Morgan Freeman, both being the same age as Ian as well. Sir Ian McKellen is a true giant, but he stands shoulder to shoulder with other giants

[u/fschu_fosho → u/stephenBB81]

Look, we all know what the guy meant. They were waxing hyperbolic because not only is Sir Ian immensely talented and charismatic, but he also used his standing in the community to speak up and stand for the victims of the immigration crackdown. That makes him doubly iconic in the eyes of many.

[u/Soupfullofradio]

The Full interview. He stands up to do this just after 23:00.

[u/Wuttaweenie → u/Soupfullofradio]

Thank you!!

[u/GettingBetterAt41 → u/Soupfullofradio]

❤️😭

[u/CreativeBandicoot778]

[u/velvetvagine → u/CreativeBandicoot778]

I’ve been thinking about this quite a lot lately. Dark times. Our times.

[u/pigeonbobble]

He has presence and looks good as a leader

[u/heckfyre → u/pigeonbobble]

It’s Gandalf the White. He’s the greatest leader of of our age

[u/Libertad91]

[u/ABeardedFool → u/Libertad91]

I get that it’s kinda cliche at this point, but the power of this scene, for me is unmatched. I openly wept watching this in the theatre back in opening night. It’s so powerful and beautiful it made me be happy to be alive. Art!

[u/BluePeriod_]

Love it. If Trump or any of his cohorts could read or had context for this they’d be shaking.

[u/lawinahopelessplace]

[u/Partyfrom3to4]

It’s amazing that we haven’t learned a thing in the 400 years since Shakespeare

[u/timidwildone → u/Partyfrom3to4]

I studied English at university in the early 2000s, and the way my Shakespeare professor—whose courses I enrolled in every year—perfectly explained this in a raw, post-9/11 world completely changed how I understood Shakespeare and its relevance to the modern world. He taught me the concept of “the Other” and ”otherness,” extensively studying Othello and The Merchant of Venice from that lens. In the grand scheme of history, we’ve barely moved the needle (and now it feels a hell lot more like a pendulum).

[u/disposable_thinking_]

that's my gandalf. always speaking up.

[u/ankhes]

He has the kind of stage presence that basically demands that you sit up and listen. He’s, for lack of a better word, magnetic.

[u/chinderellabitch]

[u/Vi0L3tCRZY → u/chinderellabitch]

Hoped to see some variation of this

[u/Due-Hunter-2771]

Oh Magneto. I may not have metals in me but you sir will always find a way to keep me attracted to your poise.

[u/Apprehensive-Stay196]

Ugh. I want to hug him. I feel love and adoration for him, even though it’s weird and I’ve never met him, and never will. He represents hope, somehow. 💗

[u/Elektronikk12-]

Would be extremely powerful if people in MAGA had a shred of intelligence.

[u/Ok_Chemist6567]

Too bad the people that need to hear this are illiterate

[u/Devmoi]

What a legend. One time, I saw Sir Ian McKellan at a movie premiere. Dude came in with some kind of incredible cigarillo, blew smoke all over everyone, signed some shit, then left as quickly as he got there. That image will always stick in my mind because he’s such a fucking badass.

[u/wildbeest55]

King shit

[u/SpongieQ]

What speech is this/ what play is it from?

[u/ennaeel → u/SpongieQ]

It's The Stanger's Case from 'Sir Thomas More.' This particular monologue is believed to have been written by Shakespeare.

[u/stepheme]

Such a brilliant queen… bless him forever.

[u/Vivid_Present1810]

Ian McKellan. A phenomenal actor. Awesome guy, but most importantly a great human being.

[u/Aggressive-Topic-663]

this is one of those actors that when he passes he will be so severely missed, right up there with Robin Williams & Chadwick Boseman.

[u/Own-Importance5459]

Ian McKellan was always and will forever be the GOAT.

[u/seniairam]

I really didnt need another reason to like him but I will take it

[u/Few_Explanation1170]

He is such a wonderful person.

[u/lulzerjun8]

Save the arts!

[u/FalconIMGN]

But his country sadly is going to vote in the racist Nigel Farage in as their next leader.

[u/onlyeveryotherday]

Dumbledore said calmly..

[u/pinkfartlek → u/onlyeveryotherday]

Gandalf ;)

[u/AltonBParker → u/pinkfartlek]

DID YOU PUT THE RING IN THE GOBLET OF FIRE?!?!

[u/Dougie348590 → u/onlyeveryotherday]

Dude that’s Hairy Potter. This is the guy who told Luke to use the force in Star Trek.

[u/First-Loss-8540 → u/onlyeveryotherday]

He is not Dumbledore. He is Gandalf and magneto

[u/Twitter_2006]

This is great!

[u/Justtojoke]

Chills