Lawrence (Ian McKellen) sight-seeing in
Mexico
"The splendid panama hat was typical of the care of our
costume designer, Anthony Powell. Before each shot he checked my clothes, particularly
around my face when in close-up. He taught me that the brim of a hat should always be
parallel with the ground, if it was to look good from all angles. The temptation is to
push hats back off the forehead, which may reveal the face nicely but looks sloppy from
the side."
Lawrence (Ian McKellen) off to bed
"This scene showed me candlelit moving round the marital
bed — in shadow I displayed the first erection ever seen in a mainstream movie. This was
achieved with a dildo and a great deal of sticking-plaster."
|
Frieda Lawrence (Janet Suzman) at Mabel Dodge Luhan’s (Ava Gardner) ranch in New
Mexico
"The 'New Mexico' scenes were actually shot in Mexico —
saving time and money. New Mexico is blessed country. I first went there in the aftermath
of 'Priest of Love,' with what I feared was hepatitis because I had all the symptoms and
my doctor (I was immediately before Santa Fe in San Francisco) prescribed total rest. But
I had to get to Santa Fe. Once there, my spirits and body were rapidly and magically
restored to their usually healthy state and there have been no repercussions." –
Ian McKellen, August 1999
Riding with amanuensis Brett (Penelope Keith) on a painting expedition.
"Lawrence was a considerable amateur painter — 'Priest
of Love' opened with the banning of a London exhibition of his oils, on the grounds of
obscenity. Acting on horseback is not easy — the animal is so resolutely itself,
unabashed by the camera's attention, whilst the rider has to be in control, yet relaxed
enough to remain 'in character.' I had learnt to ride safely when I was initially cast as
Ned Kelly for Tony Richardson's film about the Australian outlaw. Mick Jagger eventually
played the part." |
