Dedication to Alexander Anderson

This film is dedicated to the memory of Alexander Anderson, who played the role of Henry Peters, an elderly man dying in a Hospice that the character Ronny Roman becomes friends with.

Alexander is most recognisable to movie audiences as the central King who became a Ringwraith in a scene near the beginning of Peter Jackson's THE LORD OF THE RINGS THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING.

When he first read the script for THE LAST MAGIC SHOW, Alexander was determined to play the role of Henry. The reasons for his interest were many, but largely figuring in his determination to play the character was the fact that, like Henry Peters, Alexander was dying of cancer and had very little time to live. Throughout the rehearsal and shooting process, Alexander was one of the most gracious, accomodating and selfless people I had ever met. He refused to let any discomfort be known, and created a sense of serenity on set whenever he was working, despite the urgency under which the shooting was taking place. On May 9th, 2005, the Cast and Crew of the film surprised Alexander with what was to be his final birthday celebration.

Only a few months after Alexander had shot his scenes, before we had completed work on photography of the film, I received a call from his agent with the sad news that Alexander had passed away. At his funeral, his caregiver, who was also one of his dearest friends, told me of the joy that working on the film had given him, and how important playing the part had been for him.

I am extremely fortunate that Alexander chose to spend what I didn't know at the time were really his last days working on the film with such enthusiasm. His desire to not only play a character that was terminally ill, but to portray the character's death when his own was so imminent was absolutely courageous. I'm humbled to have spent the short time I did working with him. I hope that his quiet yet powerful performance will be a lasting testament to his courage and dedication.

Just yesterday I spoke with Alexander's son, Cliff, to invite him to a private screening and tell him the news that the film will be having its World Premiere at the DANCES WITH FILMS FESTIVAL 2007 and he gave me some news. In July, Cliff will be taking Alexander home. On July the 12th, the day after Alexander debuts at the Laemmle 5 Theatre on Sunset Boulevard, his ashes will be scattered, according to his wishes, along the Tay River in Dundee, Scotland.

Andy Conlan
Auckland, 14th June, 2007

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