Doctor Who actor and recent BAFTAs host David Tennant has shared his four favourite films.
In an interview held before the BAFTAs ceremony in February this year, Tennant, 53, pointed to the “extraordinary performances” of one film and the blockbuster powers of another. Tennant, who has starred in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Fright Night, and What We Did On Our Holiday, has received praise from fans not just for his acting abilities, but his film choices also.
Others were left stunned at having the “exact same taste” as the 53-year-old who rose to fame after a stint as the titular Doctor Who in the classic BBC programme.
He was also left stumped for his fourth choice, but Tennant appeared definitive in choosing a film from legendary director Alfred Hitchcock.
His four initial choices were 12 Angry Men, It’s a Wonderful Life, Star Wars: A New Hope, and Psycho. He then changed Psycho to the Sean Connery-starring Hitchcock thriller, Marnie.
But Tennant observed a problem with one of his film selections, and commented on 12 Angry Men’s longevity. He said: “The performances are extraordinary, I mean it’s a play, really, it’s really simple. The twists and the turns and really everything is happening off screen and yet it’s such a tought piece of storytelling and filmmaking.
“I mean it’s a bit old, white and male, which feels a little bit old fashioned now but that is part of the story.”
Tennant also spoke of his memories with the BBC’s Christmas programming. He said: “The BBC used to do a thing over the Christmas holidays where they would put classic films on late at night.
“I stayed up late every night and watched those late night movies and had a sort of education over the two weeks holidays. But I think as a host of an event like this [The BAFTAs], you have to remain quite neutral because you can’t have favourites. You can’t express a preference at all.”
Fans praised his selections in the comments of the Letterboxd interview. One wrote: “One of this generation’s most versatile actors, always a treat in everything he’s in.” Another added: “Finally somebody chose 12 Angry Men, that’s one of my favourites and definitely in my top 4. And It’s a Wonderful Life is my all-time favourite.”