While we lose many beloved celebrities year after year, 2024 has been particularly challenging. In recent months, we have witnessed the passing of incredible stars such as Shelley Duvall, Gena Rowlands, James Earl Jones, and Donald Sutherland. Now, it’s time to say goodbye to another remarkable performer: Dame Maggie Smith.
Most recently remembered for her outstanding performances in the “Harry Potter” franchise and “Downton Abbey,” she had an astonishing career with 85 credits to her name, showcasing a wide array of characters across various genres.
It is widely acknowledged that she was a tireless actress who continued to work until her body reached its limit, with her last film being the 2023 release “The Miracle Club”. In addition to this final endeavor, she was also involved in a project that, if completed and released in the near future, is sure to captivate audiences once again. Here, discover all about “A German Life”.
‘A German Life,’ the film Maggie Smith left unfinished
If you’re a Maggie Smith fan, you’re likely familiar with “A German Life.” A 2019 play by Christopher Hampton, it is based on an Austrian documentary filmed when Brunhilde Pomsel, personal secretary to Nazi Germany’s Reich Minister of Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels, was 102 years old.
The piece marked a monumental event at the Bridge Theatre in London, as it signified Smith’s return to the stage after an eleven-year absence. She delivered a captivating one-woman performance, presenting an extended monologue as Pomsel, reflecting on her experiences working for Goebbels.
Her spectacle received widespread acclaim from critics, earning her a record sixth Best Actress award from the Evening Standard. In 2020, Hampton revealed to Variety that he had written a script for a film adaptation of “A German Life,” intending to feature Smith in her iconic role once again.
Hampton explained that the idea for the picture arose when, due to COVID-19, Smith expressed her reluctance to return to the stage. So, he searched for a way to preserve the work in a new format, and admitted that “The film script was more difficult to write than the stage play. Sometimes she looks out the window and sees characters, but otherwise, it’s all just her through the course of the day talking about her memories.”
However, this was the last update regarding the production, with no further information disclosed by either Maggie Smith or Hampton. While the actress continued to work until 2023, and it’s quite possible she was involved in the film adaptation, the lack of news may suggest that it was never completed or perhaps never even began filming. We will keep you updated if more information becomes available.
