Very possibly the only bounder to make it to full National Treasure status (though Nigel Havers – who funnily enough played Niven in that half-cocked Peter Sellers biopic – is coming close, we feel). Not given the recognition he deserves thanks to the latter stages of his career being associated with big-budget silliness (Around the World in 80 Days, Casino Royale, The Brain, Murder By Death etc.) which we rather like. Well, apart from Vampira and those posthumous Pink Panthers, perhaps. But never mind them, he was always great. Wonder if he knew any anecdotes?
FINEST HOUR: Be honest, you want us to bung A Matter of Life and Death down here, and we’re not going to disappoint.
