Illustration by Kristian Hammerstad

Appearing in New York in April to promote The Christophers , Ian McKellen was being excessively modest. “Actors get far too much praise,” he said. “What attracted you to the part? Did you relate to it? How much of yourself did you give it?” The script’s everything, he maintained. “You just come along and say the lines, really.”

So much for almost all other actor interviews ever. Let’s say at once that, nonetheless, The Christophers is a film entirely made by the 86-year-old McKellen’s marvellous performance, which is among his career best. Although he is reprising his mega-movie roles, as Magneto in Avengers: Doomsday in December, and as Gandalf in The Hunt for Gollum next year, he is not currently appearing in the theatre after falling off stage in 2024.…