Richard Armitage is Having “The Time of His Life”, 8/30/11 (Post #5, rebuilt 9/08/11)

The exquisitely talented British actor Richard Crispin Armitage has had a very busy and highly creative year since September 2010–actually he has been creatively and artistically engaged quite prolifically since 2002.

Mr. Armitage recently attended the premiere of his film Captain America: The First Avenger in which he played the villain, Heinz Kruger.  Richard Armitage said that in creating the portrayal of Heinz Kruger, he did not want him to be merely seen as an automaton–mindlessly following orders without question. But rather, Mr. Armitage decided to portray Heinz as a patriot to his country of Germany–just a terribly misguided one, as many people were at that time.

                            
              Heinz Kruger from Captain America:  The First Avenger

Known for his chameleon like acting method of completely immersing himself in his many and diverse roles–so much so, that his characters are entirely distinctive and involve Mr. Armitage transforming his physicality and voice in ways that make “him” unrecognizable, while his character portrayals emerge as personas separate and apart from his own private persona. Mr. Armitage is a masterful storyteller with a Shakespearean trained velvety baritone voice that few of his acting colleagues could boast, and they must surely envy.

Mr. Armitage is known for his attention to detail when crafting his characters, and he makes it all seem so effortless when he becomes a new character–as if putting on an oft worn dinner jacket. Experiencing a story told or a character portrayed by Mr. Armitage is a gift that his audiences long remember–not as a great technical acting feat, but as an authentic depiction of persons, places, and times as he transports us to other realities. Mr. Armitage’s searing character portrayals of life’s joys and sorrows are the hallmark of his fearless and authentic acting style. Though most well known for his dramatic roles, Mr. Armitage also as a light comedic touch that many of his fans hope he will also explore more in the future.

Mr. Armitage already has fans and admirers around the globe. And his portrayal as theDwarf Leader Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit films–An Unexpected Journey in 2012 and There and Back Again 2013–will further cement and expand his career as an esteemed  international actor and filmmaker.

           http://www.vimeo.com/28183767    “The Time of My Life” Richard Armitage Video

This video is a retrospective of the film and other roles that have come Mr. Armitage’s way this past year–September 2010 through August 2011–most notably in The Hobbit  films and Captain America:  The First Avenger. I hope that you enjoy this video, no copyright infringement is intended.

Cheers!  Gratiana
P.S.  This is only my second video that I’ve created.  I hope you like it.
8/30/11  post #5

P.S. added 8/30/11:  Mr. Armitage has long supported the following four charities:  Childline, Barnados, Salvation Army, and Shelter–in addition to the recent Rise Up Christchurch Earthquake Appeal and Oxfam.  Though Mr. Armitage appreciates the kind and thoughtful gifts fans send to him, he gently suggests that rather than sending him gifts fans might consider making a donation to one of the charities mentioned above at Just Giving:   http://www.justgiving.com/Richard-Armitage

Finally, in Mr. Armitage’s 8/25/11 message of thanks for all of the birthday well wishes and gifts sent his way–his full message may be viewed at http://www.richardarmitageonline.com/ — he also made an especially heartfelt and gracious thank you for the many donations his fans made to charity:

“I am particularly excited to let you know that the “Just Giving” donations to our four charities has reached an amazing 11,933 pounds!  In addition to donations to Oxfam and Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, which I find both thoughtful and moving.”

8/31/11 Post # 5 rebuilt (since these posts seem to keep vanishing)

P.S.  Finally, a grateful thanks for the images used here: to RANet (www.richardarmitagenet.com) for their wonderful media resources perstaining to Mr. Armitage’s career; and to The One Ring Net (TORN at www.theonering.net) for their wonderful media resources and for keeping us on our toes related to The Hobbit story, characters themes and symbolism.