A Real Vivien Leigh

Author: Guo Tao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-11-01
Features: She said if there was a next life, she would still only do two things: "become an actress" and "marry Oliver." She was a person who remained "unwavering in her devotion." Her unwavering devotion to art led to a great acting career; her unwavering devotion to Oliver ultimately drained her body and spirit. In 1940, at the age of 27, she married Laurence Olivier; in 1957, at the age of 44, Olivier abandoned her heartlessly; in 1967, at the age of 54, she lived alone and passed away in her residence. "Her life began with love, kindness, and beautiful memories, but ended in tragedy," said a woman in her sixties. Churchill praised her as "God's artwork." The Eulogy praised her as "no actress could be as outstanding on stage as she was, and no theater actor could shine as brightly on screen as she did." One of New York's most severe critics, Walter Kerr, called her "a pearl on the crown." A waitress at the Naples Hotel said she had "never served anyone as lovely as her." Director Clammer said her courage was remarkable, and that among the actors she had worked with, she was "the most hardworking and career-driven one." John Gielgud called her "unparalleled in charm," describing her as "a legendary beauty, a genius actress, a dazzling movie star, and a versatile theater actress."
This book is suitable for:
- Scholars or enthusiasts of British film history
- Scholars or enthusiasts of European film history
- Advocates or opponents of love above all
- Scholars or enthusiasts of women's life history
- Advocates or opponents of aestheticism
- College and university students
She is the epitome of beauty and talent. Long eyelashes, rosy lips, small dimples, lively eyes, and a vibrant energy. She embodied classical elegance and refinement, combined with modern passion and agility, and was regarded as "God's artwork." In Gone with the Wind, she was glamorous and passionate, brave and persistent; in Brighton Rock, she was gentle and graceful; in A Streetcar Named Desire, her soul was twisted, tragic and desperate; characters like Anna Karenina and Cleopatra shone brilliantly under her portrayal. "She was so beautiful that she didn’t need such talent; she was so talented that she didn’t need such beauty"—her beauty was endless.
She had a perfect career but could not have a happy life. She took her roles as her own, and herself as her roles, blurring the lines between the two, which greatly harmed her physically and mentally, leaving her plagued by depression. Oliver's heartless departure further devastated her, who saw love as her life. Her body and spirit ultimately collapsed. In the quiet residence of Tichborne, she often gazed intently at the light clouds in the blue sky and the butterflies playing in the grass, for hours on end, until the sunset painted the horizon in the west, far from the noise and chaos—her sorrow was endless.
If there was a next life, she would still only do two things: "become an actress" and "marry Oliver." She was a person who remained "unwavering in her devotion." Her unwavering devotion to art led to a great acting career; her unwavering devotion to Oliver ultimately drained her body and spirit. In 1940, at the age of 27, she married Laurence Olivier; in 1957, at the age of 44, Olivier abandoned her heartlessly; in 1967, at the age of 54, she lived alone and passed away in her residence. "Her life began with love, kindness, and beautiful memories, but ended in tragedy," said a woman in her sixties. Churchill praised her as "God's artwork." The Eulogy praised her as "no actress could be as outstanding on stage as she was, and no theater actor could shine as brightly on screen as she did." One of New York's most severe critics, Walter Kerr, called her "a pearl on the crown." A waitress at the Naples Hotel said she had "never served anyone as lovely as her." Director Clammer said her courage was remarkable, and that among the actors she had worked with, she was "the most hardworking and career-driven one." John Gielgud called her "unparalleled in charm," describing her as "a legendary beauty, a genius actress, a dazzling movie star, and a versatile theater actress."
This book is suitable for:
- Scholars or enthusiasts of British film history
- Scholars or enthusiasts of European film history
- Advocates or opponents of love above all
- Scholars or enthusiasts of women's life history
- Advocates or opponents of aestheticism
- College and university students