Brian Murphy - The Old Devil

The late actor on shooting Ken Russell's most controversial film.

As I was sad to learn of Brian Murphy’s passing, I also thought it a shame that so much attention should be lavished upon his most famous creation, the inimitable George Roper.

After all, Brian’s CV included a memorable stint on Brookside, a supporting role in Joan Greenwood’s groundbreaking Sparrows Can’t Sing and periods working with comedy greats as diverse as Eric Sykes, Les Dawson and Paul Merton. All this and he was a member of Ken Russell’s stock company, delivering a truly unnerving performance as Adam the inquisitor in The Devils.

Arguably Ken’s most controversial film, The Devils is also among the finest British movies made this side of the Second World War. As for Brian’s experiences of appearing in the picture, here’s the man himself:

“There were a lot of problems with all that nudity - especially at 6am! It was a closed set and the press weren't allowed in. The problem wasn't so much with the extras but with the nuns. They were all dancers and actresses because they scene where they all throw a wobbly during the accusation of Grandier [played by Oliver Reed] involved a lot of movement. Everyone was falling over. They really suffered for their art.

“There were always shouting matches between Oliver Reed and Ken Russell. We were sitting in the dressing room when Oliver came in after one [row] saying, 'He's walked off the set, shouting 'I've had enough of all this!'' He was laughing. Then the champagne was sent round by Ken and everything was back to normal.

“In the pantomime examination of Vanessa Redgrave, fellow inquisitor Max Adrian [above left, with Brian] and I came out from behind a screen covered in blood. I said, 'If she's lost as much blood as that, she'd be dead.' But - and this was typical of Ken - he just threw a bucket of blood over us.

“Dudley Sutton had this long dramatic speech about pulling down the walls of Loudon. Ken asked what we'd be doing in the background. I said, 'We'd be shovelling shit - it makes a perfect poultice.’ Ken said ‘Fine’ and went off to get the shovels from the props department.”