The Charismatic Christopher Plummer Blogathon: My Three Favourite Christopher Plummer Performances

I’m so excited to be taking part in my first Blogathon here on my new blog. Those of you who know me from when I used to blog a while back will remember how much I loved hosting these and taking part in others. When I saw that my friends Gabriela at Pale Writer and Gill at RealWeegieMidgetReviews were co-hosting one dedicated to Christopher Plummer, I didn’t have to think twice before signing up to take part. Thanks for having me.

The late Christopher Plummer is one of my favourite actors. He was someone who I’d watch in anything because he was so talented and could make even the worst films worth a watch. He delivered so many magnificent performances in film, TV and theatre over the years. Three of his screen performances in particular have found a very special place in my heart and I’d like to share them with you.

3. Sherlock Holmes in Murder By Decree(1979)

One of the greatest films ever to be made about the infamous 1888 Whitechapel murders. Murder By Decree focuses upon Sherlock Holmes(Christopher Plummer) and Dr. Watson(James Mason) as they help investigate the Ripper murders and in the process stumble upon a coverup which reaches to the highest offices in the land. The film is suitably dark and disturbing but there is some relief to be found courtesy of several funny and touching moments between Holmes and Watson(the “you squashed my pea!” scene being a standout). Christopher delivers what is arguably his best film performance as the most empathic Sherlock Holmes ever depicted on screen.

Christopher Plummer, James Mason and Frank Finlay in Murder By Decree.

The scene that stands out the most for me in this is where Holmes visits Annie(Genevieve Bujold)in the asylum and learns why she has been committed there, and he also realises to his horror that she is completely sane. It’s one of the most heartbreaking and powerful moments in film history and both actors give everything they have during their performances in that scene.

2. Captain Von Trapp in The Sound Of Music(1965)

I about wore out my video cassette of this film due to endless rewatches enjoying all those wonderful songs and moments. Christopher stole my heart as the reserved and grieving widower Captain Georg Von Trapp and also became my first screen crush(I’m sure I cannot be alone in that). I love how he shows us this man undergo quite the change as the film goes on. Thanks to Maria’s presence the Captain lets down his guard and becomes more open and reconnects with his family again. She helps him enjoy life again after he has cut himself off from it for so long.

Christopher Plummer as the Captain and Julie Andrews as Maria.

My favourite things about the film are the romantic scenes between Maria and the Captain. I love how both Christopher and Julie manage to convey how the Captain is fully experienced in matters of love and can see that Maria is developing feelings for him, but that she on the other hand is totally inexperienced and doesn’t fully understand what she is beginning to feel for him. Between them there is awkwardness, hesitancy, tenderness and shared fleeting glances that say so much without the need for words.

Watching the characters relationship unfold is beautiful to watch and Christopher and Julie have such lovely chemistry. Christopher famously had a love-hate relationship with this film over the years, but I hope that deep down he really knew just how much joy he’d brought to fans of the film around the world.

I love the Edelweiss sequence where the Captain and Maria keep looking at each other as he sings(excuse me for a moment while I swoon). I also love the scenes where Maria returns and is met by the Captain on the garden steps, where they dance at the party, and when they admit their feelings for each other in the gazebo.

1. Archbishop Vittorio di Contini-Verchese in the TV miniseries The Thorn Birds(1983)

I initially fell in love with this miniseries due to the overall story and the complicated relationship between Meggie(Rachel Ward) and Father Ralph(Richard Chamberlain). Plus it had Barbara Stanwyck being absolutely phenomenal as Mary Carson. One of the characters who left quite an impression on me was Archbishop Vittorio(Christopher Plummer) and he soon became my favourite thing about the series. Vittorio is an older Italian priest who becomes a mentor to Ralph and later the pair become best friends. Vittorio takes great pleasure in life and his positivity is infectious to everyone who meets him. For me he’s the most interesting character in the entire series and I think that is largely due to the way that Christopher plays him.

Christopher Plummer as Vittorio.

Vittorio is not only kind and very wise, but most important of all he understands and accepts human nature and the realities of life. He doesn’t try and stop himself from feeling emotions or desires, unlike Ralph, who thinks that because he is a priest he should become a walking bastion of virtue, untouched by human frailty and urges. Ralph tries to deny and retreat from human nature, whereas Vittorio embraces it all wholeheartedly. He’s also the only one who is there for Ralph during his deep moments of inner turmoil, regret and uncertainty about what to do about his relationship with Meggie. You miss Christopher when he’s not on screen because both he and his character are such a huge presence in the series.

I also love Christopher’s performances in Closing The Ring(2007), International Velvet(1978), Waterloo(1970),Man In The Chair(2007),Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country(1991), Beginners(2010),Danny Collins(2015),Knives Out(2019),Secrets(1992),Crossings(1986), Counterstrike(1990-1993,TV series).

What are your favourite Christopher Plummer performances?

I’d like to take this opportunity to invite everyone reading this to join my own upcoming Blogathon Discovering Classic Cinema.

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