21 November 1985: It all began with a film that never was, but paid enough to allow him to get more and more involved in the theatre
As one of Britain’s most versatile, as well as most celebrated actors, Ian McKellen has kept an unexpectedly low profile in the cinema. Recently, however, matters have changed.
Priest of Love, in which he plays DH Lawrence, is at present being revived to mark the author’s centenary; this week sees the opening of the movie version of Plenty, with McKellen in a crucial cameo role; and the
London Film Festival has already screened Zina; a
British independent movie with McKellen as the psychiatrist who ministered to Trotsky’s daughter.