McKellen: Playing the Part

The thrilling clips here of his big Shakespearean roles are worth the price of a ticket alone.

Eben Bolter's almost expressionist lighting gives the red-chair interviews a theatrical warmth. The editing, like the acting, is impressively off-handed in the recreated scenes, which flip by like quickly turned pages in a book of memories.

An essential watch for both fans of McKellen and those interested in an experienced actor's perspective as a whole.

It's a must-see for any fan, and, be honest, is there anyone who's not an Ian McKellen fan?

McKellen's rich turn of phrase and self-deprecating expertise with building the perfect anecdote makes him tremendous company throughout here.

A comprehensive and entertaining enough overview ... [but] Sir Ian deserves at least two hours ... it's a bit of everything in 92 minutes, and as such, it's completely entertaining, charming and lovely while also being annoyingly unsatisfying.

The film, filled with photographs and clips from McKellen's films, is a revealing insight into an important contributor to theatre and cinema.

Endlessly fascinating and well crafted, McKellen: Playing The Part burrows deep into the mind of its subject, and the craft of acting itself.

McKellen: Playing the Part is a celebration of a life particularly well-lived. McKellen emerges as a clear-eyed, impish, utterly professional and pragmatic optimist.

What a treat it is to have the Oscar-award winner telling his own story in his own words.

A captivating insight into the life and times of a much beloved stage and screen actor...

Essentially based around a single interview, Playing the Part allows McKellen's avuncular personality, warmth and wicked humour to shine.