OPINION
SUBLIMELY talented, Albert Finney was the Salfordian Marlon Brando of the 1960s British new wave, the original angry young man who became an elder statesman of the silver screen.
His theatre training instilled a professionalism that endeared him to the world’s biggest cinema directors including John Huston, Ridley Scott,
CHRIS HUNNEYSETT
Tim Burton and Paul Greengrass. While he will be remembered for his breakout role in Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, his versatility meant he could be the heavy or the hero. He was a mob
boss in the Coen Brothers’ thriller Miller’s Crossing and his Hercule Poirot was a crowd pleaser.
His gifts stretched to comedy alongside Audrey Hepburn, and singing and dancing in musicals such as 1970’s Scrooge and 1982’s Annie.
His regional background meant he was not touted as a potential James
Bond but in his final big-screen role he played a gruff Scottish groundsman in 2012’s Skyfall.
Finney stole his scenes from Daniel Craig, proving that he’d lost none of his ability to dominate the screen.
■■Chris Hunneysett is the Mirror’s
Film Editor
Star on 1976 anti-apartheid demo