Taken from Arthur of the Britons - shows Michael as Kai

This is a photo of Michael Gothard, taken 1960/61 by Harold Chapman at The Beat Hotel, Paris.

I have been given permitted to post this on a few tribute sites. Please do not reproduce elsewhere.
©TopFoto/Harold Chapman

Michael as Kai in "Arthur of the Britons."

This is one of my favourite shots of him.

Michael Gothard's Spotlight page (actors' directory) from 1971.

Michael Alan Gothard was a British actor, born in North London, England. Raised by his mother, he left school at 17 or 18, not really knowing what he wanted to do. For a while he worked at different occupations, including in restaurants, and on building sites.

He spent time travelling around Europe, living a beatnik lifestyle, and ending up in Paris, where he stayed for a year in the student quarter, supporting himself by various jobs, from washing dishes to fashion modelling.

When he returned to London he worked as a scene shifter at the New Arts Theatre, and was cast in an amateur film made by a friend. Encouraged by the film's reception from professional actors, when he was not working, at weekends and in the evenings, he attended an actors' workshop. He was instrumental is setting up the first "lunchtime theatre" performances.

His first appearance on TV was in 1966, in an episode of "Out of the Unknown", an adaptation of E.M. Forster's short story, "The Machine Stops." He played Kuno, a young man who wants to escape from the automated, sanitised future lifestyle.

His first film role was in "Herostratus", an underground film released in 1967, directed by Don Levy. He played Max, a young man who tries to sell his suicide to an advertising company.

A role in British classic film, "Up the Junction" followed in 1968.

In 1969 he appeared in "Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)" and "Department S."

In 1970 he appeared in "The Last Valley" opposite Michael Caine as "The Captain." He played Hansen, a member of The Captain's band of mercenaries who refuses to adapt to changing times and leads a rebellion against The Captain.

He also had a role in "Scream and Scream Again" as Keith.

In 1971 he appeared in Ken Russell's "The Devils" as Father Barre, an insane priest, with Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave.

He appeared in another largely experimental film in 1972, "La Vallée." This was filmed mostly in French, so his time in Paris must have stood him in good stead. He plays Olivier, a seeker, who is on a quest to find a lost valley, with his companions.

It is perhaps for his role as Kai, the Saxon adopted brother of Arthur in TV series "Arthur of the Britons" (1972 to 1973) that he is best remembered. This was one of his few opportunities to play a hero, and both actors performed their own stunts in this often very physical historical drama.

In 1974 he appeared in the film "The Four Musketeers" as a spy, Felton.
He had another TV series role in 1978 as Volthan, a druid priest in "Warrior Queen." In 1979 he appeared in an episode of popular series "The Professionals", as Kodai, an agent and assassin for the KGB.

Perhaps his biggest film role in terms of fame was as Emile Leopold Locque, an assassin who never speaks in the Bond film, "For Your Eyes Only."

In 1982 he appeared in the film "Ivanhoe" as Athelstone, the heir to the Saxon throne.
He had more film roles as scientist Dr Bukovsky, in the science fiction film "Lifeforce" in 1985 and as George Lusk, a suspect in "Jack the Ripper" in 1988.

He played another spy in "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery" in 1992, and his last film role, also in 1992 was as Boatswain in "Frankenstein."

He was a talented horseman, and a musician, and in later life he was also a therapist.

He took his own life on December 2 1992 at his home in Hampstead, London.

He was cremated.

In memory of a beautiful beautiful smile

Michael in Paris circa 1960 My friend and landlord of My first solo flat in 1983.I miss him dearly and think of him and his
"Shakespearean" way every single day.Oh how fondly I cherish the memories of our
roof top cup's of Earl Grey and puff's
of hash. A magnificent man

Michael Gothard as "Ivan" in the Paul Temple episode "Games People Play."

As so often, Michael was the only one worth watching in this.

But thy eternal summer shall not fade
Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st;
Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st:

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.'
Shakespeare

Michael Gothard as "Terry" in "Up the Junction."

Michael Gothard as 'Volthan' in Thames TV series 'Warrior Queen.'

Michael as Olivier in the film, "La Vallee."
This film was mostly in French, so Michael's time in Paris must have stood him in good stead!

As Athelstone in "Ivenhoe"

Michael Gothard as Atmir in "Warlords of Atlantis" (1978)

With Anita Pallenberg in Der Rebel

Michael Gothard as Weber with Edina Ronay in "Department S" episode shown in 1969, "Les Fleurs du Mal."

This Cedar of Lebanon was planted at Woodchester Park on 18 November 2011 in memory of Michael Gothard.

Screencap from "Arthur of the Britons" episode "The Swordsman."
Michael Gothard as Kai.

The memorial plaque dedicating a tree to Michael set on 29 August 2010, at Woodchester, where some of "Arthur of the Britons" was filmed.
Photo by Lynn.

As Kai in Arthur of the Britons

Spotlight Composite Card 1968