Birthday Boy Sir Sean Wows Fans With His Book Festival Appearance

By GARETH EDWARDS

Capital-born legend is in fine fettle as he launches memoirs

SIR Sean Connery was in good spirits as he officially launched his long-awaited memoirs Being A Scot at the Edinburgh International Book Festival today.

The Edinburgh-born star, who turns 78 today, was greeted warmly by fans as he turned up at the Book Festival on Charlotte Square ahead of a planned appearance before a sell-out crowd of more than 500 people for the launch – the fastest-selling event in the history of the Book Festival.

Sir Sean had earlier joked with photographers at a photocall, set up before the Book Festival opened to the public.

Last night he was treated to a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday from hundreds of fans when he appeared at the Filmhouse for the screening of one of his old films.

The Hollywood legend gave a brief on-stage interview at the packed Capital cinema before the showing of The Hill.

This morning he appeared with co-author Murray Grigor to launch the book, which has already caused a stir because of his views on many aspects of Edinburgh.

The book, which went on sale last week, covers his early life in Fountainbridge and his thoughts on what the future holds for Scotland.

At the Filmhouse on Sunday, Sir Sean was introduced by writer and broadcaster Mark Cousins, who said he was delighted to welcome “this local guy” who “comes from just around the corner”, in reference to the actor’s upbringing in Fountainbridge. Describing Sir Sean as “a post-war Clark Gable”, he invited the audience to sing the star in with a rendition of Happy Birthday, and Sir Sean seemed genuinely delighted by the warm reception.

The star admitted some audiences had found his accent difficult to understand.

“At the time it was released in the US there were a few screenings where it had subtitles,” he said. “I thought that was a bit unfair. I last saw the film 15 years ago, and I still think it’s a great movie.

“It was shot in black and white – so you can have half your money back,” he joked.

He added: “I took the part really to do something different [from Bond] and it was a very complicated film.

“The only reservation I had was whether an American director would be able to handle the disciplines of the British in the army. I was delighted to find that Sidney [Lumet, the director] could, and I have made five films with him, which is the longest relationship I’ve ever had with a director.”

Speaking about the films’ central theme of soldiers disobeying command because they believe it to be wrong, Connery said that soldiers could not have that luxury, but admitted: “Taking orders from someone you genuinely feel is an idiot is very difficult.

There should be a real screening of whoever is giving those orders.

“We are getting so many mixed messages from Iraq and Afghanistan, and it seems to be the exact same situation as when Britain fought there in the 1800s.”

At the end of the very brief appearance, Sir Sean was given another thunderous round of applause as he left the stage, and he stopped on his way out to pose for pictures and sign autographs for a few lucky film fans.

The Hill was shown as part of a season featuring some of Connery’s best films.

(c) 2008 Evening News; Edinburgh (UK). Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.