The world of Michael Winner

[julian_craster]

Helen Mirren and Michael Winner in sexist spat
By Gary Cleland
14/12/2007
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

Two stalwarts of British film have begun a remarkable war of words
after Dame Helen Mirren accused Michael Winner of treating her "like
a piece of meat".

Dame Helen Mirren (right) claims Michael Winner asked her to turn
around to show off her physique

Dame Helen, 62, said that Winner was "insulting and sexist" and
deliberately tried to humiliate her on the first - and only - time
they met.

That was in 1964, when she was an up-and-coming actress while Winner,
now more famous as a restaurant critic, was a film director.

She claimed that Winner made her turn around and show off her
physique during a casting session. "I was mortified and incredibly
angry," she said in an interview with Richard Madeley and Judy
Finnegan.

"I thought it was insulting and sexist, and I don't think any actress
should be treated like that - like a piece of meat - at all. Even if
they haven't done the kind of work that I have done, it was
incredibly insulting. I was so angry, I was so angry - I still am."

Winner, however, disputed Dame Helen's version of events, saying that
he had only met her as a favour to her then agent, Margaret Johnston,
who was worried that Mirren's refusal to wear a bra in publicity
photographs would lose her work.

"I saw Helen and as I had been instructed to deal with the situation
of her breasts, I did indeed ask her to stand up. I don't remember
asking her to turn around but if I did I wasn't being serious," he
said.

"I can see it now; she was wearing a peasant blouse and a skirt in
the photographs - with enormous bosoms which were sagging a bit even
though she was young. I was only doing what the agent asked me - and
for this I get reviled!

"Helen's a lovely person, she's a great actress and I'm a huge fan,
but her memory of that moment is a little flawed."

[Hackett]

Maybe thats why see didn't get a film part till 1967?.

[christoph404]

Im always slightly mystified at the extreme reactions Winner provokes in some people. So he is a film Director who is a bully and shouts at the crew etc? So what? maybe thats how he gets the job done and if you are a member of a film crew who doesn't like directors shouting and screaming at you my advice would be to get out of the film business! If he is a bit of a bully on set I don't think he would be unique in his profession, for example a documentary I watched sveral years ago on David Lean making A Passage to India left me with the impression that Lean was a bit of a tyrant on set with the crew treading egg shells in his presence. I think some directors have a particular way of working and bring facets of their personnality to the film set but I have never really heard stories from within the industry that Winner was awful to work with, quite the contrary in fact.I have enjoyed watching some of Michael Winner's films and some I have not but the fact is he is a hugley succesfull film director and some of his films have been very popular and made large amounts at the box office, that counts for something and whatever you think about the man or read about him in the tabloids I get the impression that within the film industry and amongst actors he is well respected. Sure he has made some stinkers but he has never claimed to be anything more than a film director who wants to make popularist and commercially succesfull films, so I think he gets a lot of unfair flack but I think what upsets his detractors even more is that he doesn't really care or take much notice of the criticism!

[batman]

A friend of my mother used to be an electrician in the film business and worked on many Brit films, including several Hammer films, lots of TV stuff and met dozens of well known actors and directors. The only one he ever complained about was David Lean, who he worked for on a couple of films. He called Lean a 'complete bastard', but also the 'most efficient and talented' director he had ever worked for. He worked for Michael Winner too and never said a bad word about him.

Bats.

[asiamiles]

Originally Posted by julian_craster Dame Helen, 62, said that Winner was "insulting and sexist" and deliberately tried to humiliate her on the first - and only - time they met. That was in 1964, when she was an up-and-coming actress while Winner, now more famous as a restaurant critic, was a film director. She claimed that Winner made her turn around and show off her physique during a casting session. "I was mortified and incredibly angry," she said in an interview with Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan. "I thought it was insulting and sexist, and I don't think any actress should be treated like that - like a piece of meat - at all. Even if they haven't done the kind of work that I have done, it was incredibly insulting. I was so angry, I was so angry - I still am."

Not trying to defend the obnxious Winner here, but I find it hard to believe an actress would have such an "attitude" back in 1964 when the word "sexist" didn't exist.

Winner has made some terrible, terrible films but he made one truly great film in THE MECHANIC. Sure, he was working from a Lewis John Carlino script but I'm sure many of his lesser films were good on paper too; it's hard to explain how this existentialist thriller turned out so well, perhaps just one of those happy accidents.

CHATO'S LAND certainly isn't a good film, but also I have a (soft) spot for it my DVD collection...and it's fun reading Winner's account of the making of it in his highly entertaining autobiograpy.

[penfold]

I think the reason people genuinely dislike Winner is a combination of factors. He is (And admits it) a terrible snob; he namedrops like Niagara Falls; and despite a few competent films (and a lot of dross) he parades himself as Britains greatest living director. Not while Ken Russell breathes he isn't.No-one minds a self-publicist if there is some meat below the tinsel; Hitchcock was a huge self-publicist, but was an immense talent with a huge CV and a quiet private life. Winner has none of those things.