Sourced from around the net, the following are comments from the public on the work of Ian Hendry:

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“Seen Ian Hendry in a few movies, and thought he was excellent in The Hill ( a Sidney Lumet not to be missed movie ) starring Sean Connery and a great British cast set in a British army detention centre in North Africa.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to see him in something else.”

kramer91

Commenting on Armchair Theatre ‘ Afternoon With A Nymph’ (1962)

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“I spoke to Gerry Anderson about Ian Hendry, who starred in Anderson’s film Doppelganger/Journey to the Far Side of the Sun. He confirmed that IH was at times shockingly drunk on set, but that he was a lovely bloke. He was also very physically dextrous, and would walk up to Gerry at the studio bar on his hands and say ‘evening boss’!

 

He seemed always able to get work, which I read as meaning that he was well-liked in the business.”

Ian Fryer

Commenting on February 26th 2012 on ‘The Original Avenger – A Tribute To Ian Hendry’ (see link under main ‘Biography’ tab)

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“I first became aware of Ian Hendry via photos in my various The Avengers books.

I first experienced his acting in Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter. He played Kerro, a formidable character in a wayside pub or tavern. The main thing which hit me was his voice: “Laugh,” he ordered another man there. “You’re not laughing. . . . Laugh.” His voice was heavy but soft, battered-sounded, almost cracking at times, nearly hoarse. It was especially effective the way he spoke and threatened this other character, as he stood there in a black leather waistcoat. (This film also had John Carson whom I thought was excellent. He looked so much like Robin Ellis’s Poldark in this I kept double-taking.)

I saw both series of The Lotus Eaters recently in the US. Hendry to me was usually the most interesting part. He had an expressive face which made him interesting to watch. Maybe it’s a cliche but he seemed to blend formidability with vulnerability. That might be an ingredient of his screen presence.

I’m crushed to read of all of these lost tapes and films. I want to believe that someone somewhere has some stashed away.

That shows his speaking voice to great effect, and some clever wordplay.

I watched Theatre of Blood largely on the strength of seeing Hendry in The Lotus Eaters. The fencing scene with Hendry was great.

Let’s hope, via the power of the Internet, more things come to light.

With a toast and a word of thanks to I.H.”

Eric Bryan

Commenting on April 4th 2012 on ‘The Original Avenger – A Tribute To Ian Hendry’ (see link under main ‘Biography’ tab)

And in response:

“Eric, thanks for stopping by and posting such an eloquent tribute of your own. I do agree with everything you have said. ‘Formidability with vulnerability’: I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. The Lotus Eaters in particular showcases that, so does early work like This Is My Street. I’ve seen him described as either a hard man (as per The Hill) or a twitchy nervous type (as per The Internecine Project) and although he could play those roles, and play them well, he had more to offer and a much wider range.

I recently saw the Don Quick episode where he made a foray into comedy and even then he was interesting to watch. It’s a pity much of his earlier work either isn’t commercially available or is lost, as is the case for many of the actors born in the 20s and 30s and working in television in the 50s and 60s. Even in some of his later work which wasn’t that good as a whole his contribution usually was worth a look. And thanks for the reminder about Kronos, must dig out my old VHS! (And you’re quite right about John Carson and Robin Ellis being almost twins, I’ve always thought that)”

Louise

Commenting on April 4th 2012 on ‘The Original Avenger – A Tribute To Ian Hendry’ (see link under main ‘Biography’ tab)

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“I met Ian briefly before his death over a period of about 2 years. His daughter used to attend the same school as my two sons (Wessex Gardens Junior School, Hendon Way, London ) and I saw Ian and his then wife a number of times either picking his daughter up after school or more memorably at the schools sports day! I spoke to him a few times either in the playground and knew who he was but never made that clear to him. By the time I met him he had more or less finished his acting career as his illness had taken hold and he was not being employed very much. The last time I spoke to him he mentioned he was filming something at either Shepperton or Elstree studios at the time but I am at a loss to remember what it was or exactly what studio he was filming at.

 

When I spoke to him he was obviously under the influence and you could smell the whisky but non the less he came across as a very kind and charismatic man who was chatty and interesting! I knew where he lived in Golders Green and heard of his death from people at the school and what the cause was which was solely as a result of his alcohol problem.

 

I thought he was a fabulous actor and deserves the respect he is due but unfortunately the history of his personal problem left a big mark on an otherwise fantastic actor and father!”

Ray Graham

Commenting on April 19th 2012 on ‘The Original Avenger – A Tribute To Ian Hendry’ (see link under main ‘Biography’ tab)

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“Thanks Louise, and all those who added comments, for the information about Ian Hendry. I just recently watched “Children of the damned” again, and was struck by his moving acting in the role of the psychologist who tries to avert the violence directed at the children.”

James Kerr

Commenting on July 9th 2012 on ‘The Original Avenger – A Tribute To Ian Hendry’ (see link under main ‘Biography’ tab)

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“I was very intrigued to read your lengthy and detailed tribute to Ian Hendry. I’m an actor and my father was a soldier so it was ‘The Hill’ in which he struck me so forcibly. I find most modern actors’ attempts to portray military men negligible – but Ian’s performance as Williams has never been bettered. My father and I both knew men like that in the Army – he exhibited a suppressed violence and a near-erotic glee in the misfortunes of his charges in that film. Unforgettable.

 

Thank you for this tribute. Did you know that there was a Desert Island Disc programme devoted to him – unfortunately unobtainable via the website at the moment?”

Simon Furness

Commenting on September 16th 2012 on ‘The Original Avenger – A Tribute To Ian Hendry’ (see link under main ‘Biography’ tab)

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“At last, someone who has written a balanced and considered account of Ian Hendry’s career!

I have been a huge fan of Ian Hendry since I first saw Get Carter some 23 years ago, he was the acting highlight of the film for me, and I became a fan there and then.

 

I have watched as many of his performances as possible, an interesting one being in The Passenger, a Jack Nicholson vehicle in which Hendry has a role as Martin Knight, an associate of Nicholson’s character who travels to Spain to seek the missing Nicholson.

 

There was a fansite called Ian Hendry:True Brit at one time, but it seems to have disappeared.

 

Thanks for a great summary of a great actor.”

Iwan Williams

Commenting on November 23rd 2012 on ‘The Original Avenger – A Tribute To Ian Hendry’ (see link under main ‘Biography’ tab)

and:

“Firstly, I feel I should really refer to Ian Hendry as Ian and not just as ‘Hendry’ from now on, as it is a rather cold way of referring to my favourite actor.

 

Ironically, I have only seen ‘Vendetta’ as a two parter, so am unable to compare it with the commercially released feature film. Basically, it’s very much a typical Saint epsiode, however, Ian’s menacing performance adds hugely to it and contrasts well with Roger Moore’s sometimes foppish character.

 

Others in my collection are Ian’s excellent performance as Roy Gates in the ‘Yesterday’s Hero’ episode of Return of the Saint, as Lord Croxley in The Persuaders ‘The Time and The Place’ episode, and I also picked up Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter quite recently, where Ian’s fairly short cameo as the thuggish Kerro almost steals the film. This film was of course written and directed by Brian Clemens, so I’d like to think that he always bore his old friend in mind when casting parts in productions that would suit him, it’s just a shame that he didn’t write him a more substantial part.”

Iwan Williams

Commenting on November 26th 2012 on ‘The Original Avenger – A Tribute To Ian Hendry’ (see link under main ‘Biography’ tab)

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“How great to find a tribute site to my favourite actor! My parents used to go on about the Lotus Eaters when it was first screened and inveigled me to watch it. I expected to be bored, but was instead captivated. I loved the mythological structure to the series, the bar and boat Cretan lifestyle and, most of all, Ian Hendry. He was twice my age, but I decided from then on that I preferred older men! I think, as someone says above, it is that intriguing combination of formidability and vulnerability which makes him such an appealingly nuanced actor.

 

I subsequently watched everything he appeared in on television and film, and saw him on stage at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford. My father was at a loss as to what his wife and daughter saw in that “bald old bugger”, but was kind enough to treat us to this performance. It would have been about 1974 I suppose. I can’t remember what play it was – I think it was a sort of farce with a plot similar to Dial “M” for Murder, and co-starred George Cole and Honour Blackman. I didn’t then know about his drink problem, and there was absolutely no hint of it on stage – he was charming and funny in the role. I was very sad when I did learn of his difficulties and saw evidence of the decline. My interest in him has waned over the years, but vestiges still remain – otherwise I would not be looking at this site!

 

I’ve long wished there existed a biography and I’m delighted to see here that soon there will be. I will be fascinated to learn more about what I’m sure was a complex and conflicted personality. Save a copy for me!”

Rowena

Commenting on December 28th 2012 on ‘The Original Avenger – A Tribute To Ian Hendry’ (see link under main ‘Biography’ tab)

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“I’m running through “The Lotus Eaters” at the moment and marveling at Ian’s performance, he is so natural you really can’t tell he’s acting. Is that a true story about Michael Bird holding a shotgun to Ian when he was being difficult in rehearsals?
I’ve also just watched The Hill, what a horrible creepy so and so he plays in that, in fact it’s Ian and Harry Andrews that act the socks off everybody else especially Connery who was the big star at the time.
I’m also curious about Ian’s performance in The Sweeney where a lot of people seem to think that his illness is showing on screen, now I don’t agree, I think that is pure acting. The scene with him threatening the old boy in his shop is really disturbing.
Thanks for your tribute”

David Myers

Commenting on January 25th 2013 on ‘The Original Avenger – A Tribute To Ian Hendry’ (see link under main ‘Biography’ tab)

And in response:

“The story about Michael J Bird taking a gun to Ian is true but I think the whole incident should be taken as a bit of play acting. As Bird’s widow told me, Michael was as much an actor as the others.

I have talked extensively to Ian’s co-stars on The Lotus Eaters and he was generally popular with them all. Wanda Ventham and Maurice Denham became lifelong friends and Julia Goodman liked him too.

 

Best
Gabriel Hershman

(author of Ian’s forthcoming biography Send in the Clowns – the Yo Yo Life of Ian Hendry)”

Gabriel Hershman

Commenting on January 26th 2013 on ‘The Original Avenger – A Tribute To Ian Hendry’ (see link under main ‘Biography’ tab)

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“The reason for posting this comment was that I had a dream about Ian last night. Please don’t jump to any conclusion’s! In 1966 I was in a pub Called The Rose & Crown in Thorpe near Chertsey, Surrey with my lovely girlfriend Brenda and who should walk in to have a drink but Ian, he had driven from Shepperton to our local for a pint.

 

We spoke to him for about an hour and both of us were knocked out by his easy attitude to talk to bearing in mind he was quite a star by then. He came across as a shy man and was very supportive of all his fellow actors. I think he should have gone on to even greater things as I felt he was a brilliant actor, none better than in The Hill. Kindest regards to all fans. Jerry.”

Jerry Murray

Commenting on January 26th 2012 on ‘The Original Avenger – A Tribute To Ian Hendry’ (see link under main ‘Biography’ tab)

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“Been watching a few of Ian’s performances this week. The Protectors episode is terrible, not Ian’s performance, he can only act with what he is given but it just looked really cheap and nasty. I enjoyed The New Avengers episode,apart from his rather dodgy accent he is very good in it. I wish he’d had more screen time with McNee. The Danger Man episode is good but he doesn’t have a big part in it as obviously it’s a vehicle for McGoohan who is very good. Sadly his illness is showing in The Return of the Saint and I found that a bit of a struggle to watch. The treat for me was The Crossfire play from 1967 excellent performances all round especially from Ian and Peter Wyngarde and it was nice to see Roger Delgado. I’ve also located a Granada series from 1975 called Village Hall, Ian was in an episode called Battlefield. Sadly he’s a bit slurred in this but there is still that edge to him, I think it’s something in his eyes, an ability that all top actors have.”

David Myers

Commenting on February 3rd 2013 on ‘The Original Avenger – A Tribute To Ian Hendry’ (see link under main ‘Biography’ tab)

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“I generally rather like The Protectors, but Ian’s episode, Thinkback, isn’t up to standard. The script is by Brian Clemens, recycles the plot from his 1969 Avengers episode Requiem. Ian gives a perfectly good performance, but it just ain’t there on the page!’

Ian Fryer

Commenting on February 3rd 2013 on ‘The Original Avenger – A Tribute To Ian Hendry’ (see link under main ‘Biography’ tab)

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“I haven’t seen Crossfire, would like to. The Village Hall episode isn’t bad, but I agree with you about it not quite being top notch. The New Avengers episode I really do like, and it is nice to have the circus link back to his real life start in the business. I have his Van der Valk episode too but haven’t watched it yet – that was quite late in his career, I think?

 

The real loss for me (other than series 1 Avengers, obviously) was A Suitable Case for Treatment. Yes, David Warner was fabulous in the film version but I really would like to see the TV original, sadly presumed lost, with Ian in the lead. Another loss (if true – I’m sure Gabriel can confirm) was the fact that Ian was considered for the role of Cowley in The Professionals. Much as I have time for Gordon Jackson I would have been intrigued to see someone with a little more fire and danger tackle the part.”

Louise

Commenting on February 17th 2013 on ‘The Original Avenger – A Tribute To Ian Hendry’ (see link under main ‘Biography’ tab)

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“I watched The New Avengers epsiode ‘To Catch a Rat’ yesterday for the first time in a while. This was, I felt, one of the better episodes, as it dealt with a proper spy story and was stronger than many of the more fantasy based episdoes. Ian plays the part of Gunner, a former british agent, and comes across well. He gives a strong performance as a man driven in his aim to expose a double agent. His obviously dyed grey hair looks a bit odd, but he gives a good physical performance.

 

Barry Jackson, now best known for his regular role as Dr Bullard in Midsomer Murders, introduces himself in one scene (falsely) as Gunner’s brother. Such is his general resemblance to Ian that you could believe this to be true!”

Iwan Wiliams

Commenting on February 19th 2013 on ‘The Original Avenger – A Tribute To Ian Hendry’ (see link under main ‘Biography’ tab)

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“What a splendid site. For me, nothing says the better time and place that was the UK in the 60s than Ian Hendry’s face on TV and DVD (along with Mike Pratt — similarly unsung today). Far from diminishing his import as an actor, his frequent supporting roles in TV and film only served to illustrate his range and increase his familiar presence for those of us who could only ever know him through these media.

Sadly missed, but always returning.”

Dave Page

Commenting on March 24th 2013 on ‘The Original Avenger – A Tribute To Ian Hendry’ (see link under main ‘Biography’ tab)

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“I’m 71 years old.  I still remember Ian Hendry’s performances in The Informer, which was so cool and brilliantly understated.  There was a scene where he had to make a decision and was silent for almost a minute (so it seemed at the time) and the face close-up told you everything about what he was weighing up.  That’s acting!”

 Martin Daniels

From an email to the website on 13th April 2013

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“Ian Hendry one of the greatest actors we have known who never got the really big parts and recognition he deserved. I mean read Ian Fleming and look at Mr Hendry was there ever a more compatible match?”

David Xavier Phelps

Commenting on June 28th 2013 on the Official Ian Hendry Facebook Page

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“I watched this episode [sic Police Surgeon, ‘Easy Money 1960], a bonus extra on the Avengers set, and greatly enjoyed it. Excellent performances all round and the chemistry between Michael Crawford and Ian Hendry energised the story no end. I really like that Police Surgeon episode. It’s an extra on the Avengers season 1+2 DVD set. Hendry’s attractive but unselfish acting stands the test of time, especially in the scenes with Michael Crawford as a juvenile delinquent!”

Frank Almiles Mole

Commenting on July 4th 2013 on the Official Ian Hendry Facebook Page

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“Ian Hendry was one of those rare gems….a brilliant actor who made magic wherever he found himself. My particular favourite role of his was in Children of the Damned (MGM 1963 ) where he appeared alongside Alan Badel. I found his character in this film one of the great “ordinary” heroes, and I often watch this film to remind myself what a national treasure Ian ought to have been considered in his life. RIP Ian…..a wonderful soul!”

Dunferboy

Commenting on July 6th 2013, on the This Is Your Life video on the Ian Hendry YouTube Channel

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The presence of Hendry in any production means you’ll end up watching him to the exclusion of practically everyone else around him. There haven’t been many mentions of him in “The Hill”. A role in which his cap, pulled down and covering his eyes in shadow, adds extra malevolence. A very distinctive looking actor; Roman centurion haircut, sideburns and “eyes like pissholes in the snow”, I remember seeing a still from Get Carter where Hendry is chugging down a bottle of whisky whilst the film crew set up the next shot.

 

‘Flare Players’

Commenting on December 19th 2013 in the Britmovie Forum – Ian Hendry Thread