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Harrow: Bio
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LISA HARROW: ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE
TWENTIETH CENTURY-FOX FILM CORPORATION
Lisa Harrow, a classically-trained actress more at home on the stage than on the screen, is a bit nervous about returning to films.
The New Zealand-born actress, who studied with London's prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, plays a pivotal role as a TV journalist in 20th Century-Fox's "The Final Conflict," the last and most terrifying chapter in the chilling "Omen" trilogy. The film also stars Sam Neill and Rossano Brazzi.
"I've never really enjoyed filmmaking," admits Harrow. "Until now, it's never been a happy medium for me."
Indeed, "The Final Conflict" is only Harrow's fourth film in an acting career that began some 15 years ago.
Harrow was an Aukland primary school teacher with a lifelong desire to act. After three years, she gave up the academic life and was accepted to the RADA. She was later asked to join the Royal Shakespeare Company, where she played a number of leading roles in classical Shakespearean plays, as well as in more con- temporary works.
"I haven't done a film for six years," Harrow says. "The last one was 'All Creatures Great and Small,' so I was really unsure of myself about taking this role. I started out very tense, but I soon felt relaxed and calm about the whole thing, even considering the grim and frightening subject matter."
In "The Final Conflict," Damien Thorn, now a grown man of 33, continues his evil plan to dominate the souls of all men. Termed the Antichrist by a dedicated Monk (veteran actor Rossano Brazzi), Thorn arrives in England as the U.S. Ambassador to the Court of St. James, where he meets Kate (Harrow). She is drawn to him, unaware of his true nature.
"Kate is the catalyst in Thorn's destiny," Harrow explains. "I think she becomes entangled in the complications of his life before she is really aware of what is happening to her or who he really is."
Fellow New Zealander Sam Neill, ("My Brilliant Career") who plays Thorn, agrees on the importance of Harrow's role. "Just as Mary Magdelene represented temptation to Jesus, so Kate represents temptation to Thorn. She disturbs him and could so easily lead him astray from his insidious mission, his inglorious destiny," says Neill.
Now that the film is finished, Harrow is eager for more film work. "I learned to relax before the cameras," she says, "and that has made a tremendous difference in my attitude towards films. I've learned that filming is not a thing to be frightened of, but that I can actually enjoy the camera. It was a very positive experience for me."
"The Final Conflict," the last chapter of the "Omen" trilogy, is a Harvey Bernhard Production in association with Mace Neufeld. The 20th Century-Fox release stars Sam Neill, Rossano Brazzi, Don Gordon and Lisa Harrow. Harvey Bernhard produced and Graham Baker directed from a screenplay by Andrew Birkin. Richard Donner is executive producer.
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