David Niven: Last English Gentleman in the South of France

For me David Niven was the last quintessential English gentleman of Hollywood. A man of exquisite style and cultured manners, with the ability to look effortless anywhere in the world.

"It is almost a definition of a gentleman to say he is one who never inflicts pain"
John Henry Newman 1852.

In this montage he is shown in his beloved adoptive home - the South of France. Niven - always the classy debonair gentleman who made everything he did look effortless but who was a product of considerable endeavour. He epitomises that lost breed - the well mannered but not dull, the urbane raconteur but never indiscreet about friends, the charming and witty conversationalist but never the crashing bore. In essence the ultimate English gentleman.

The background music used in the video is O Grande Amor by Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto and the movie excerpts are from Bonjour Tristesse (1958) a wonderful film set in the South of France starring Jean Seberg and Deborah Kerr.

The Three Graces - Elegance, Beauty and Style.
My Philosophy for a sublime way of living.
My aim - to bring a touch of old world grace and discreet glamour to the everyday.
"Having class - it's not half the battle - it's the whole war"

Also on Tumblr :
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I do not own the rights to this movie excerpt, I am using the clip for critique and comment in a non-profit manner.