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This is the Home Page, 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 greatest, underrated and underused
character actors. For example, I might include information about his background, a list of his best films, news and gossip,
photos, and show reviews. I might also discuss how I originally became a fan or describe what I think makes this actor special.
NEW UPDATE!
Derren Nesbitt will be one of the Guests of Honour at -
The Festival of Fantastic Films 2009
The 20th Annual Convention of the Society of Fantastic Films
will be held at the
Day's Hotel, Sackville St., Manchester
(The Manchester Conference Centre)
Dates: 16th - 18th October, 2009
PLUS!
3 NEW DVD RELEASES - FEATURING DERREN NESBITT
'FLAWLESS' IS RELEASED AT
LAST IN THE UK ON MAY 18th. HMV HAVE IT LISTED FOR ONLY £7.49. SO ORDER YOUR COPY NOW TO SEE DERREN'S GREAT
PERFORMANCE IN HIS MOST RECENT FILM OUTING.
(I HAVE SEEN IT ALREADY AND MUST SAY THAT THE SURPRISINGLY SUBSTANTIAL
ROLE THAT DERREN PORTRAYS, NOT ONLY PROVES THAT HE IS BACK TO HIS BEST, BUT HE IS BACK TO HIS GOOD OLD
VILLAINOUS WAYS TOO! APART FROM THAT, I DID GUESS CORRECTLY AS TO HOW MICHAEL CAINE MANAGED TO STEAL THE DIAMONDS.
THOUGH I DID NOT ENJOY THE ENDING SURROUNDING THE DEMI MOORE CHARACTER AND THE SOMEWHAT UNLIKELY CHOICE SHE ULTIMATELY
MADE. OF COURSE YOU WOULD EXPECT ME TO BE BIASED, BUT I SERIOUSLY BELIEVED THAT BOTH DERREN NESBITT AND JOSS ACKLAND
WERE THE BEST THINGS IN IT AND BOTH GOT THEIR COMEUPPENCES. THOUGH WITH DERREN AS USUAL, THIS SEEMS TO BE PAR FOR THE COURSE)
Also - many thanks to Richard, for pointing out that 'Burke & Hare' has now
been released on DVD and can be purchased from Play and Amazon for £8.99. This is a great opportunity to now view this
film, as before there was only the U.S. VHS version and a poor print currently showing on the UK satellite channel Movies4Men,
under the title - Bodybrokers.
The third new release to tell you is -'Strongroom' from the excellent Best
of British label. £6.98 from Amazon is a small price to pay, to unearth this little gem of a picture and
although Derren's on familiar villainous duty, at least he's a sympathetic one here.
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| DVD - OUT MAY 18th! |
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| DVD - OUT NOW! |
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| UK DVD - OUT NOW |
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| Julie Ege (1943-2008) |
SAD TO REPORT THE PASSING OF JULIE EGE ON APRIL 29th 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 £3.18. That's got to be worth it to see familiar faces such as Leslie
Phillips and 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.
Good News! - Derren must be feeling better, as he appeared at the recent Bradford
Film Festival in March, to talk about 'Where Eagles Dare'.
(See the News & Events page)
Also a quick reminder to buy your Special Branch DVDs. Either
separately at £17.99 each (approx) or the complete Series 1-4 box set for £38.98 from Amazon (though Derren's only in
the first two).
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| SPECIAL BRANCH: COMPLETE SERIES 1 |
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| SPECIAL BRANCH: COMPLETE SERIES 2 |
The groundbreaking series of Special Branch
(above), featuring Derren as Chief Inspector Jordan is currently available individually, or as a part of a complete box set.
It 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!
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?
It looks like my online campaign to get Derren into Quentin Tarantino's new World
War II epic has failed!
'Inglourious Basterds' as it is now known, has already begun principal photography
on location in Germany.
The ensemble cast includes; Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Melanie Laurent, Daniel
Bruhl, Samm Levine, B.J. Novak, Til Schweiger, Gedeon Burkhard, Paul Rust, Michael Bacall, Omar Doom, Sylvester Groth,
Julie Dreyfus, Jacky Ido, August Diehl, Martin Wuttke, Richard Sammel, Christian Berkel, Sonke Mohring, Michael Fassbender,
Denis Menochet and Cloris Leachman.
But alas no Derren!
Austrian actor Christoph Waltz is the main nasty Nazi. As the villainous Colonel
Hans Landa, he wipes out Melanie Laurent's entire family, in German- occupied France.
Good guy Brad Pitt rounds up a group of Jewish soldiers (the 'Basterds') as a type
of retaliatory hit squad. They join forces with German actress and undercover agent Bridget Von Hammersmark (Diane Kruger)
in an attempt to take down the leaders of The Third Reich.
Other quirky or inspired casting includes Mike Myers as a Brit and Quentin's
director pal Eli Roth. Though it is nice to see the welcome return of Rod Taylor (who appeared with Derren in Nobody Runs
Forever aka The High Commissioner).
'Inglourious Basterds' has been pencilled in for Cannes and will hit screens worldwide
in 2009.
I am off now, to go and kick Derren's agents up the backside!
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| Brad Pitt as Lt. Aldo 'Apache' Raine |
Before I do that though, I am just putting the final touches to my second tribute
fansite. So I will see all of you over at www.anthonyhiggins.org.uk
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| Derren took meticulous detail with his character. Going so far as to angle 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.
Does anyone have any thoughts or know the answer to this? If so please drop me an email to the address
below.
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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