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Welcome to the Home Page of my fansite.
Click on one of the links to the left to access what Derren is currently up to, or to see a brief history of
his film career.
On
this site I'll include everything I know about one of England's most underrated and underused character actors.
I'll include information about his background, a list of his best films, news, photos and show reviews.
I'll also discuss how I originally became a fan and describe what I think makes this actor special.
Apologies for being 'off air' for a short while.
As you can see I have been freshening up the site!
Ready for some great new updates!
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| 'The Hot Potato' on Blu-ray from 10th September. |
'The Hot Potato' is being released on
DVD and Blu-ray on the 10th September.
Pre-order it now from Amazon from £8.99 or £10.99 respectively.
Watch the trailer by clicking the link below; -
CLICK HERE for the trailer for 'The Hot Potato'.
'The Hot Potato'
Whilst meeting Derren during the recent Memorabilia show at the Birmingham NEC, he told
me that he had just completed filming on the new Ray Winstone thriller 'The Hot Potato'.
He is on
familiar acting duties once again, playing another German, this time named Fritz Meyer!
Set in the late 60's,
this British made crime caper from first-time director Tim Lewiston, boasts a fine supporting cast including Colm Meaney
and Phil Davis.
Along with Ray Winstone's daughter Lois, is Louise Redknapp who
is making her film debut.
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| Derren as Fritz Meyer with Ray Winstone in 'The Hot Potato'. |
Dry Rot
The
long tour is coming to an end but there are still tickets available for the remaining shows at The Milton Keynes Theatre from
3rd-8th Sept; Oxford Playhouse 10th-15th Sept; Theatre Royal in Brighton from 24th-29th Sept and The Wycombe Swan Theatre
in High Wycombe from 2nd-6th Oct.
CLICK HERE for show information about 'Dry Rot'.
Follow Derrren on Twitter!
@DerrenNesbitt
or click below to be taken to his page.
https://twitter.com/derrennesbitt
Derren is due to make an appearance at The Festival of Fantastic
Films 2012.
It takes place at The Manchester Conference Centre from 26th-28th October.
CLICK HERE for more details.
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| Sussex Life Magazine - Featuring Derren. |
Check out this marvellous article by Angela Wintle,
which appeared in a recent issue of Sussex Life.
This interesting interview provides a fascinating insight
into Derren's life and career (past and present) and is packed full of his usual anecdotes and funny one-liners!
CLICK HERE FOR DERREN AT 75 FEATURE
A SELECTION
OF DVD RELEASES BELOW - FEATURING DERREN.
AT
LONG LAST - 'A LIFE IN DANGER' IS FINALLY RELEASED ON DVD, AS PART OF A DOUBLE FEATURE ALONGSIDE 'COVER
GIRL KILLER', BOTH DIRECTED BY TERRY BISHOP (£9.99 PLAY).
'BULLSEYE!',
A HIT & MISS COMEDY FARCE DIRECTED BY MICHAEL WINNER IS ONLY £4.99 (AMAZON).
'DOUBLE X: THE NAME OF
THE GAME', A STRANGE FILM AND ONE OF NORMAN WISDOM'S FINAL SCREEN ROLES (£5.99 HMV).
'FLAWLESS' - DERREN'S MOST RECENT ONSCREEN APPEARANCE TO DATE, CAN BE PURCHASED ON
DVD FOR ONLY £2.99 (PLAY).
FLAWLESS - MINI REVIEW
A SURPRISINGLY SUBSTANTIAL ROLE WHICH NOT ONLY PROVES
THAT DERREN'S BACK TO HIS BEST, BUT HE'S BACK ON FAMILIAR VILLAINOUS DUTIES TOO! OF COURSE YOU'D
EXPECT ME TO BE BIASED, BUT I REALLY BELIEVE THAT BOTH DERREN AND JOSS ACKLAND ARE THE BEST THINGS IN IT AND BOTH GET
THEIR COMEUPPENCES. THOUGH WITH DERREN THIS SEEMS TO BE PAR FOR THE COURSE, AS USUAL!
CHEERS RICHARD FOR POINTING OUT THAT 'BURKE & HARE' IS NOW ON DVD (£7.85 ZAVVI). THIS
IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW THE FILM, AS PREVIOUSLY THERE WAS ONLY THE U.S. VHS VERSION & A POOR PRINT WHICH
AIRED ON UK SATELLITE, UNDER THE TITLE - 'BODYBROKERS'.
THE FINAL RECENT RELEASE TO TELL YOU ABOUT IS 'STRONGROOM'
FROM THE EXCELLENT BEST OF BRITISH LABEL. £8.99 (AMAZON) IS A SMALL PRICE TO PAY, TO UNEARTH THIS LITTLE GEM OF
A PICTURE. THOUGH DERREN'S A VILLAIN ONCE MORE, AT LEAST HE'S A SYMPATHETIC ONE HERE!
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| RELEASED OCT 11TH |
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| DVD - OUT NOW! |
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| DVD - OUT NOW! |
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| DVD - OUT NOW! |
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| DVD - OUT NOW! |
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| DVD - OUT NOW! |
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| Cinema Retro: Special Edition. |
FOR 'WHERE EAGLES DARE' FANS,
I CANNOT RECOMMEND
THIS SPECIAL PUBLICATION ENOUGH.
IF YOU THINK YOU KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS FILM, THEN THINK AGAIN!
IT'S
CHOCK FULL OF BEHIND-THE-SCENES FEATURES, TRIVIA, INTERVIEWS, RARE STILLS,
FILM POSTERS & COLLECTIBLES,
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE ORIGINAL NOVEL AND THE MOVIE, SCRIPT CHANGES AND DELETED SCENES.
THIS COMPREHENSIVE
COMPILATION OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE FILM PROVED INVALUABLE AND PROVIDES EXCELLENT SOURCE MATERIAL.
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| Julie Ege (1943-2008) |
SAD TO REPORT THE PASSING OF JULIE EGE IN 2008. SHE APPEARED WITH DERREN IN 'NOT
NOW DARLING' PLAYING HIS WIFE AND STARRED IN HIS ONLY DIRECTORIAL OUTING TO DATE - 'THE AMOROUS
MILKMAN'
As a tribute to Julie, be sure to check out this good natured comedy farce on DVD. Amazon
are selling it for the very generous price tag of only £3.43. That's got to be worth it to see familiar faces such
as Leslie Phillips & Barbara Windsor from this golden age of the 70s'.
By Matthew Moore
TV actor Derren Nesbitt to expose 'biblical myths' in controversial book
Veteran British actor Derren Nesbitt has written a book exposing biblical myths that he claims will make him “the
second Salman Rushdie”.
Nesbitt, best known for his role in 1970s television detective series Special Branch, has spent years researching The Concealment:
The Hidden Bible.
“It explodes many of the myths and falsehoods contained in the Old and New Testaments,” he said.
“It will be hugely controversial. It may even make me the second Salman Rushdie.”
Sir Salman was forced to live in hiding for more than a decade after his novel The Satanic Verses sparked protests and
death threats from some Muslims.
There has been renewed interest in biblical literature and religious conspiracy theories since the success of Dan Brown’s
The Da Vinci Code, but a spokesman for Nesbitt, 76, said that she believed he had yet to find a publisher.
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| SPECIAL BRANCH: COMPLETE SERIES 1 |
Just a quick reminder to
buy your Special Branch DVDs. Either separately at £17.85
each, or the complete Series 1-4 box set for £27.85 from Zavvi - though Derren's only in the first two.
This groundbreaking series featuring Derren as Chief Inspector Jordan is must-see television, nostalgic of the times and
the forerunner to such shows as
'The Sweeney'.
So what are you waiting for?
Purchase
your copy now!
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| SPECIAL BRANCH: COMPLETE SERIES 2 |
ANY HOLLYOAKS FANS OUT THERE?
I NEED HELP!DERREN MADE A GUEST APPEARANCE IN A RECENT EPISODE. CAN
ANYONE TELL ME WHICH ONE IT WAS?
You're probably aware that unfortunately my original online campaign
for Derren to be in Tarantino's WWII homage failed!
Austrian actor Christoph Waltz was
the charismatic villain, Colonel Hans Landa and scooped many awards, including Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars.
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| Meticulous detail, including angling his salute correctly! |
NEW: FANS' SECTION
This new section allows fans to post any comments or questions that other readers or film buffs can answer or shed any further
light on.
Gavin Gaughan writes: Well done for your website on Derren Nesbitt. I've sometimes
wondered about his role in VICTIM, it seemed a little odd that the character was blackmailing and threatening gay men, when
what with the leather-biker look and the print of Michaelangelo's David on his wall, there were strong hints he was actually
gay himself. Would Mr Nesbitt be able to say whether this was in the original script, a development added during filming,
or just coincidence? I believe that if the awful AMOROUS MILKMAN had been a success, he had hoped to make a film about the
inventor of the guillotine, I wonder if he has ever had any more thoughts about this project and whether any pre-production
took place.
I put this question to Derren personally and
you are absolutely right, his next project would have been about the inventor of the guillotine!
Nathalie and Steven Yafet write: I must confess that I have never seen Mr. Nesbitt in anything but
Danger Man/Secret Agent episodes and The Prisoner. He made a huge impression on my husband and me. What an incredible
actor! His assassin in, "A Sting in the Tail," Danger Man episode is a classic. Love the enunciation
and the honey on the bullet approach. Is there a way to write a note to him expressing our appreciation for these episodes?
Nathan Barlow writes: My name is Nathan Barlow. I am
emailing in regards to contacting Derren personally. I first met Derren when he came out to Australia in 1998 and was good
friends with him until he left to go back to the UK in 2001. We lost contact on his return and would like to get in touch
with him again. (info@nathanbarlowfilms.com)
Derek Pykett writes: I am a professional author writing about the film
studios of Elstree/Borehamwood, and would like to contact Derren Nesbitt about any memories he may have of appearing in 'Where
Eagles Dare' at the MGM British Studios in Borehamwood. (derek.pykett@btinternet.com)
Tony Harries writes: Derren, I really
enjoyed meeting you today at the drama course. Thought what you said about 'forgetting the beats' was excellent. It's
great to see that you've lost none of your passion for theatre.
Vic Baltusis (from California) writes: I just wanted to comment on your fantastic Web Site tributing one
of my favorite actors, Derren Nesbitt! I first saw Derren as "Rachid Noureddine" in the Danger Man episode entitled
"A Sting In The Wall". He played the part so well and was so convincing that I started searching for his other works!
I have seen him on "Gideon's Way", and "The Prisoner". I then purchased the first Season of "Special
Branch" and watched Derren Nesbitt as "Chief Inspector Jordan". This was the very first time that I saw him
play the part of a good guy and I must say this: When Derren Nesbitt plays the part of bad guy he's good but when he plays
the part of a good guy he's the best! Chief Inspector Jordan is a no nonsense Law Enforcement Officer but is quite the
ladies man! He is quick witted, intelligent, and extremely aware of his surroundings!
Do you know why Keith Washington
didn't return as John Morrissy in Season 2? I really liked the episode "You Don't Exist" where he gives
Barbara Cartwright (played by Mel Martin) a one day tour of London then falls in love with her. Too bad there wasn't an
episode where those two were re-united. Do you have any information as to if and when Special Branch Season 2 will be released?
(Again, I am counting on all you knowledgable fans out there to answer this question,
along with all the other previous ones. What I can tell you though Vic, is that Special Branch: Complete Series 2, is now
available to buy. See above for more details!)
Tony
Nicholls writes: I saw Derren last night in a PG Wodehouse play at the Wyvern
theatre in Swindon. It was not the best play ever written, and one or two of the cast were a bit green, but Derren was an
absolute joy to watch. He was playing a bumptious old aristocrat, but he was absolutely flawless and utterly believable.
Doug
Sinclair writes: Derren's appearance in UFO as the robotic intruder who tries to kill Cmdr Straker
(Ed Bishop) was on ITV4 this lunchtime (Wed May 21). Perhaps with so many freeview and satellite channels to fill, we'll
get many more glimpses of him in roles from the 1960s and 1970s.
David Lyon writes: Gary,
congratulations on putting together a great website. Like you Where Eagles Dare was the key and his performance still impresses.
We are looking forward to seeing him this weekend in Windsor "Come on Jeeves" and hope to meet him if he has time.
Good luck with the petition for the "planned" QT homage to WOD
Following
David and Hilary's trip to see 'Come on, Jeeves', here is their review -
We both enjoyed "Come on Jeeves" in Oxford, as with most matinees it was a shame that the theatre was not full
but those who were there enjoyed every minute. Derren still looks good and so too does Anita Harris...! Playing the bumbling
Lord with bushy moustache and holding most of the play together he made a memorable contribution and stole the show! The rest
of the cast deserve praise too, as overall it was a great production. The play is still running around the country (ends mid
July) and forthcoming dates are on Anita's fansite. In view of Derren's return from Australia we hope he gets more
exposure on stage or even on screen. I hope he checks out your website and sees the level of interest out there for his past
and current roles. Hope to have chat with Derren next time.
Kevin Aylward writes: Well,
finally I wanted to put my mind at rest on a conjecture that I had 30 odd years ago, so I did a search on "Derren Nesbitt"
and your site popped up. I must stress that I did not include any search terms like Thunderbirds etc., so this is an independent
opinion. I have noticed Derren in series such as UFO and The Prisoner, 30+ years ago etc, and specifically came to the conclusion
that Alan Tracy (TB 3) was modelled on Derren. From your website, it now seems that Derren also holds this view.
(Glad to have put your mind at rest Kevin)
David Anthony (from Queensland) writes:
For some years I have been researching the career of writer/director/producer Ralph Smart who worked
on Robin Hood, Sir Lancelot, Buccaneers, William Tell, Invisible Man and Danger Man. On the newly released Australian edition
of Danger Man (Madman Entertainment), Nesbitt is interviewed in one of the audiocommentaries and he speaks briefly of having
known Ralph. Excerpts from interviews I taped with Ralph in 1993 have been used on the new DVD release. I knew Ralph
when I was living in Bowen, North Queensland in the 1990s. I was wondering if you are able to put me
in touch with Mr Nesbitt so I can ask him questions about Ralph. Had I known Mr Nesbitt was living in Australia for a
time until recently I would have tried contacting him long ago. (jackcade@hotmail.com)
Alex writes: I think I emailed you before
about one of your favourite actors and mine, Derren Nesbitt. Great to see that the original programmes of Special Branch are
out on dvd at last. Did you know that Mr Nesbitt appeared in no less than 14 episodes of Sir Lancelot back in 1956 and
1957 and I have them all. As a point of interest, Derren Nesbitt used to live in the same building of flats as my
parents did back in 1973. They said that he was polite enough and used to greet them now and then when he was spotted. How
great is that!
Keep emailing me with your kind comments, questions
and requests. So that if Derren or any of his family or friends visit this site, they will see that his work is very
much appreciated by his many fans.
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