Christopher Lee was a man of extraordinary versatility. The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee seeks to give him the recognition he has long deserved. His legendary association with horror should not overshadow this recognition. Jon Spira wrote this documentary. It is narrated by Peter Serafinowicz. This two-hour film provides a deep dive into Lee’s incredible career. It also explores his personal history and the many layers of his remarkable life.
Lee’s life was already the stuff of legend, beginning with his aristocratic background. His mystery-shrouded wartime service added to this aura. This was before he even set foot in a film studio. The documentary delves into this enigmatic period, hinting at his involvement in covert operations. His post-war rise to fame through Hammer Films cemented his status as the quintessential horror icon. Still, as this documentary makes clear, he was so much more than that.
His performance as Lord Summerisle in The Wicker Man remains one of his greatest. His chilling portrayal of Francisco Scaramanga in The Man with the Golden Gun is also remarkable. This is made all the more fascinating given that the film was written by Ian Fleming, his cousin. Ian Fleming had, sadly, passed away before seeing Lee embody one of his characters. His turn as Mycroft Holmes further showcased his ability to slip seamlessly into roles beyond horror.
One of the highlights of the documentary is its exploration of Lee’s underappreciated talents. He was a skilled linguist, fencer, and puppeteer. He was also an incredibly talented singer. His voice lent itself to everything from opera to heavy metal. His Charlemagne project led him into symphonic and heavier metal. Surprisingly, his Christmas single Jingle Hell even reached No. 18 on the Billboard charts when he was 91. These elements help paint a picture of a man whose career was never stagnant, always evolving.
The documentary benefits greatly from interviews with those who knew him best. These include his family, his co-star Caroline Munro, and his son-in-law Juan Aneiros. It even features The Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson. Jackson introduced Lee to a new generation. He did this through his work in both The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars franchises.
A particularly compelling moment in the film comes after his knighthood. A journalist refers to him as the ‘king of horror’. Lee was never comfortable with this title. It speaks to the way he was often typecast, despite his many other achievements. The documentary does an excellent job of highlighting this struggle. It shows how early success in horror both defined and confined him. This happened despite his immense range.
Beyond its well-researched content, The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee also excels in its presentation. It makes excellent use of puppetry and narration. These techniques bring elements of his life to vivid life. The talented team at Blind Summit Theatre created the puppetry. It adds a unique and theatrical quality to the storytelling. It blends seamlessly with the archival footage and interviews. These creative choices add depth and texture to a story that is already full of intrigue.
This documentary is an essential watch for film buffs and casual fans alike. It offers a much-needed reevaluation of Christopher Lee. The documentary finally gives due credit to a man whose career spanned decades, genres, and artistic disciplines. Lee had a truly unique voice with his deep baritone. He had an imposing screen presence. His love of metal music highlighted his uniqueness. Lee was a truly unique figure in entertainment history. The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee does him justice.
By Pat Harrington
