THE film “Never Apologize,” in which a gray-haired gentleman stands or sits on a stage, talking for nearly two hours to an audience we never see, doesn’t sound like compelling viewing.
But when the man on the stage is actor Malcolm McDowell and his subject is British filmmaker Lindsay Anderson, the viewing is entertaining and touching.
Anderson and McDowell made six films together, and over the years they developed a friendship. In “Never Apologize,” McDowell offers loving stories about his mentor, who gave him his screen start as rebellious schoolboy Mick Travis in “If . . .” (1968).
McDowell tells how he got that role; how he ended up naked on the floor, wrestling with nude actress Christine Noonan in the film; how he got Anderson stoned on hash brownies; and describes the director’s brief meeting with Diana, Princess of Wales.
In a scene that might bring a tear or two, McDowell reads Anderson’s account of his visit to a dying John Ford, who greeted Anderson propped up in bed, smoking a cigar and drinking brandy.
“Never Apologize” is directed by Mike Kaplan, who produced Anderson’s final work, “The Whales of August” (1987), starring Bette Davis and Lillian Gish.
Kaplan’s film unreels twice daily through Aug. 21 as part of a Film Society of Lincoln Center tribute to Anderson, who died in 1994. The tribute comprises six of Anderson’s movies and two by his hero, Ford.
Running time: 111 minutes. Not rated (some rough language). At Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theater, 65th Street and
Broadway.