Ghost Riders in the Sky / Christopher Lee

Sir Christopher Frank Carandini Lee
(1922 – 2015)

‘The Impossible Dream’ (from The Man from La Mancha) is, in my opinion, one of the greatest songs ever written. Here is a man, an old man, a very old man full of daring, bravery, courage, determination, romanticism and dreams.
– Christopher Lee.

“We don’t always get the kind of work we want, but we always have a choice of whether to do it with good grace or not.”

As far as I know (?) (feel free to correct me), Sir Christopher Lee only appeared in one Western: ‘Hannie Caulder‘ (1971) – not regarded as an epic or Western Classic. Possibly worth a watch though, due to it’s great cast: Lee, Robert Culp, Strother Martin, Ernest Borgnine, Jack Elam and Raquel Welsh …

In his early film work, Lee was not a good actor. But he was not there to win awards – his chiselled features held charisma. Ironically, by the time he appeared in Hannie Caulder he had become a very good actor and could deliver any line with Shakespearean impact and resonance. He had achieved iconic stature. His role in the ‘Hannie Caulder’ was small, yet excellent – but he was still billed down on the marquee.  That’s Hollywood.

In later DVD packages, he moved up the ladder.

Reviews

The Notable Badguys: 

Later Lee finally got roles he could really sink his teeth into.
– if you’ll excuse the expression.

“A whole new career opened up for me when I was in ‘Lord Of The Rings’ and ‘Star Wars.”

Awards

“As far as I am concerned, Don Quixote is the most metal fictional character that I know. Single handed, he is trying to change the world, regardless of any personal consequences.”

‘The Impossible Dream’
composed by Mitch Leigh, with lyrics written by Joe Darion.
It was written for the 1965 musical Man of La Mancha
Elvis

‘The Impossible Dream’

composed by Mitch Leigh, with lyrics written by Joe Darion.
It was written for the 1965 musical Man of La Mancha

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
To be better far than you are
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star
This is my quest, to follow that star
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far
To be willing to give when there’s no more to give
To be willing to die so that honor and justice may live
And I know if I’ll only be true to this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm when I’m laid to my rest
And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars,
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star.