 SCREEN legend Christopher Lee is ready to bare his fangs ... when he comes to Liverpool at the end of July. The insider can exclusively reveal that the 82-year-old star will be here for a "meet, greet and Q & A chat session" at the Adelphi hotel. He will be talking about the imminent DVD release of Jinnah and will also be getting his teeth into something closer to his heart - his "contribution" to the last Lord of the Rings film. The actor, most famous for his big screen portrayal of Count Dracula, has just completed filming Crimson Rivers 2 in France with Jean Reno and is also completing his part as Darth Tyranus in Star Wars Episode 3. But Mr Lee is still amazed he was "excised" from the final instalment of Lord Of The Rings - he filmed a nine-minute scene in Return Of The King. A bemused Christopher says of the scene, which ended on the cutting room floor: "It's vital to the story. Saruman is the principal antagonist to the Fellowship and we never find out what happens to him." Now he is looking forward to the release of Jinnah. It's the story of Mohammed Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan, and stars Mr Lee, who says it is the "best performance I have given on screen in 57 years". The lavish historical epic has a very strong cast, including James Fox and Maria Aitken as the Mountbattens. It sold out for three months in Pakistan and Christopher received a letter of thanks from the country's President. The DVD will at last give people the chance to see the film, which has only been shown on Sky "at some absurd hour" says Christopher, who adds: "I don't know why it wasn't shown in cinemas". Christopher is looking forward to coming to the city to promote it in a special appearance at the Britannia Adelphi hotel on Saturday, July 31, 1pm to 5.30pm. The Adelphi event is limited to 500 people. Contact 01438-714728 for tickets (£12.77). Or pay on the door or book on line online at www.jinnahmovie.com |