Extraordinary Tales: A Reading List Inspired by Christopher Lee (1922-2015)
Extraordinary Tales, an animated anthology featuring the voice of legendary actor Sir Christopher Lee, is the latest adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's stories. But the true extraordinary tale is that of Lee, who passed away on June 7 at the age of 93, a man who led an amazing life that included remarkable careers in the military and in heavy metal music. Audiences were thrilled by his portrayals of Dracula and Frankenstein's Creature in the heyday of Hammer horror, and he was introduced to another generation of viewers as Count Dooku and Saruman. Here is a small fraction of his filmography represented in books.
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The Devil Rides Out by Dennis Wheatley
The 1968 horror movie written by Richard Matheson (one of Lee's own personal favourites) is based on this 1934 novel of black magic.
The Gormenghast Novels by Mervyn Peake
- eAudiobook (Book One: Titus Groan)
In the BBC adaptation of the Gothic fantasy saga, Lee played the gaunt, spooky Mr. Flay who serves the lord of the castle.
Lee played the titular villain, one of 007’s most famous foes, opposite Roger Moore as James Bond.
The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
Lee sported an eyepatch as the sinister Rochefort in the 1973 adapation of Dumas’ classic tale of swashbuckling spirit.
The Wicker Man by Robin Hardy and Anthony Shaffer
Lee was justly proud of his disquieting portrayal of Lord Summerisle. This novelization by director Robin Hardy and screenwriter Anthony Shaffer is not the same as David Pinner's Ritual, the original book on which the cult classic is based. (Ritual is currently available to read in the library at the Toronto Reference Library and the Merril Collection.)
Check out some of his other film and TV work. In addition, you can find out more about Lee’s astounding life by reading this tribute in the Guardian, penned by Alex Hamilton, the journalist who co-wrote his autobiography, Lord of Misrule.
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