The Essentials
Inadmissible Evidence (1968) The performance which made Nicol famous. The film is excellent, but unfortunately only currently available on bootleg DVDs from various internet sellers.
The Bofors Gun (1968) The 2012 DVD from Odeon Entertainment
is excellent quality and has some great extras. DVD at Amazon UK
The Reckoning (1969) The 2017 DVD from Powerhouse Films’ Indicator label is excellent quality and has a nice booklet and a few extras. DVD at Powerhouse Films
Hamlet (1969) Simply one of the greatest Shakespearean performances ever. Available on DVD.
Nicol Williamson (right) and director Jack Gold (with camera) on the set of
The Gangster Show: The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui
The Gangster Show: The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (1972) Nicol is brilliantly funny here as the Hitler-like gangster scheming to gain control of the cauliflower racket. One of the most impressive pieces of TV drama the BBC has ever produced, it’s partly a homage to the Warner Brothers gangster films of the 1930s and should have been given a cinema release. The BFI occasionally show it, otherwise it’s all on Youtube in 12 parts. The quality is not quite as good as one would wish, but it’s watchable. Here’s a link to Part One
The Wilby Conspiracy (1975) Not a great film, but a very entertaining one and featuring one of the all-time great supporting performances from Nicol, who completely steals it from stars Michael Caine and Sidney Poitier. Available on DVD
Robin and Marian (1976) Nicol’s Little John makes a wonderful sidekick to Sean Connery’s Robin in this, perhaps the best film Nicol appeared in. Available on DVD
The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (1976) Nicol as a paranoid, cocaine-addicted Sherlock Holmes. Shout Factory’s Blu-ray / DVD combo is the one to get, although you may need a multi-region player to watch it in the UK. Features an interesting interview with author and screenwriter Nicholas Meyer.
Excalibur (1981) Nicol’s most eccentric performance as Merlin. Despite the presence of Gabriel Byrne, Liam Neeson, Helen Mirren, Patrick Stewart and others, he’s the one you’ll remember. There are various DVDs available. I recommend this US Region 1 version because it’s good quality and has an excellent commentary by director John Boorman.
