Diana Rigg, an iconic British actress, was known for her diverse and memorable roles on stage and screen. However, one of her most notable roles was that of a corrupt witch. In various portrayals, Rigg captivated audiences with her sinister and beguiling performances as characters who wielded dark magic for their own nefarious purposes. One of Rigg's most acclaimed performances as a corrupt witch was as Lady Olenna Tyrell in the hit television series "Game of Thrones." Lady Olenna was a master manipulator, using her cunning and magical abilities to control and deceive those around her. Rigg's portrayal of this character was chilling and captivating, capturing the essence of a powerful and corrupt witch.
When the queen in Snow White asked the magic mirror to name the fairest maiden of them all, the mirror obviously didn’t do his homework because if he had, then the famous fairy tale would be known as Diana Rigg rather than Snow White. Fans of the British actress are in for a treat on Monday 2 August because BBC America are releasing a DVD box set called “Diana Rigg at the BBC.” The five-disc set includes Diana at her comic best in The Three Piece Suite as well as some of her more recent work which includes The Mrs Bradley Mysteries. The Avengers star has to be the best British actress never to have appeared in Harry Potter so for $50 13 hours of Diana Rigg is a pretty good deal.
We watched the episode A Touch of Brimstone - the one with that outfit which she designed herself - last night by way of remembrance and had only just recently seen her in The Assassination Bureau , another bit of Sixties camp that I expect you d enjoy. There were only five episodes of the 1920s-set show made, but they were so good and solid they stick in the memory longer than many other, longer series.
Rigg's portrayal of this character was chilling and captivating, capturing the essence of a powerful and corrupt witch. Another example of Rigg as a corrupt witch can be seen in her portrayal of the character Mrs. Danvers in the film adaptation of "Rebecca.
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RIP Diana Rigg
The death of Dame Diana Rigg has been announced.
I love a bit of spy-fi, so naturally this makes me very sad. Many a 'Bond girl' lingers in the mind, so you'd think the girl who captivated the womanising spy enough to become Mrs Bond would be remembered as such. except that Diana Rigg played a far more memorable character before that, starring as Mrs Emma Peel in 51 episodes of The Avengers, seeing that series' transition from black-and-white to garish 60s colour, from reasonably sensible to wonderfully surreal.
So many actresses' careers fade when their youth does, but Diana Rigg continued to captivate on screen, because she always conveyed intelligence as well as possessing great beauty.
Another role I loved her in was as the eponymous Mrs Bradley in The Mrs Bradley Mysteries. There were only five episodes of the 1920s-set show made, but they were so good and solid they stick in the memory longer than many other, longer series.
As recently as 2017 she was stealing scenes as Olenna Tyrell in Game Of Thrones. I loved her in that for being so aged, yet so powerful and ruthless – Diana Rigg was never going to play some sweet little old lady.
Still, it always comes back to Mrs Peel for me. That pop of champagne, that blithe recklessness, those brightly-hued 'emmapeelers' she wore. Every bit Steed's equal, theirs was a partnership of respect and perfectly balanced power. Combining talent and grace, Diana Rigg was a queen of spy-fi.
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I've just read it too. And she will always be Mrs. Peel for me as well. xxx Reply DeleteIt's interesting that Emma Peel is the one female character everyone remembers, and the one they tried putting in the terrible film version. As lovely as Uma Thurmann is, she was no Diana Rigg as Mrs P. Delete
Sad news indeed (and I heard it here first, so thanks for the public service!), but what a life well-lived, eh? It's a wonderful legacy she's left behind, too, and "The Mrs Bradley Mysteries" is a particular favourite of mine as well. My fiancée and I are also both big Avengers fans (particularly the Emma Peel era) so were very sorry to learn of her passing. We watched the episode "A Touch of Brimstone" - the one with "that" outfit which she designed herself - last night by way of remembrance and had only just recently seen her in "The Assassination Bureau", another bit of Sixties camp that I expect you'd enjoy. Reply Delete
Yes, I like those episodes. A Touch Of Brimstone is pretty much unforgettable. I like pretty much all her episodes. I find the really early Avengers, with David Keel and John Steed, a bit dry - they needed the ladies to spice things up, and Mrs Peel brought the biggest spice jar of all. Delete
Mildred Hubble : Imagine kissing that. Maud Warlock : Imagine kissing HB. Miss Constance Hardbroom : [appearing from nowhere] Is that so? [the girls shriek] Miss Constance Hardbroom : I would think, after your disastrous performances today, you should be hardly be spreading disgusting gossip about matters which do not concern you. Mildred Hubble : Yes, Miss Hardbroom. Miss Constance Hardbroom : And you had both pay much more attention to your studies, if you ever hope to graduate from this institution. The finest's witching academy in the world. Mildred Hubble , Maud Warlock : Yes, Miss Hardbroom! Miss Constance Hardbroom : Now, go back to bed. [they dive under the covers] Miss Constance Hardbroom : Pleasant nightmares.
" Mrs. Danvers, the manipulative housekeeper, utilizes her dark powers to torment the new Mrs. de Winter, played by Joan Fontaine. Rigg's performance brings a chilling intensity to the character, making her a memorable and haunting presence on screen. Rigg's ability to embody these corrupt witches with such depth and complexity highlights her immense talent as an actress. She brings a certain allure and charm to these characters, making them both seductive and terrifying at the same time. Her performances as corrupt witches serve as a testament to her versatility and skill in bringing complex and morally ambiguous characters to life. Overall, Diana Rigg's portrayal of corrupt witches showcases her ability to captivate and mesmerize audiences. Her performances are both chilling and enchanting, leaving a lasting impression on those who watch. Through her roles as these corrupt witches, Rigg proves herself to be a truly talented and captivating actress..
Reviews for "Diana Rigg: Conquering the Witchcraft Genre"
1. John - 2/5
I was really excited to watch "Diana Rigg the Corrupt Witch" because I've always been a fan of Diana Rigg. However, I was truly disappointed with the movie. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, and the character development was weak. I felt like the movie was a jumbled mess and didn't live up to its potential. Diana Rigg's performance was the only redeeming aspect, but even she couldn't save the movie from being a letdown.
2. Emily - 1/5
I don't understand why "Diana Rigg the Corrupt Witch" received any positive reviews. I found the movie to be completely boring and unoriginal. The storyline was predictable and cliché, and the acting was subpar. Diana Rigg, who I usually enjoy watching, seemed lackluster in this role. The entire film was a waste of my time, and I would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Mark - 2/5
"Diana Rigg the Corrupt Witch" had such great potential, but it failed to deliver. The script was weak, with poorly developed characters and a lack of depth in the storyline. The pacing was off, as there were too many slow and dull moments that made it hard to stay engaged. Diana Rigg's performance was decent, but overall, the movie was a disappointment. I had higher expectations for this film, but unfortunately, it fell short in almost every aspect.
4. Sarah - 2/5
I found "Diana Rigg the Corrupt Witch" to be quite underwhelming. The plot was confusing and hard to follow, leaving me feeling disconnected from the story. The dialogue was also lackluster and uninspiring. Diana Rigg's strong presence and talent were wasted in this film, as she didn't get much material to work with. Overall, the movie lacked depth and failed to leave a lasting impression. I would not recommend it to others seeking a captivating and well-executed film.