My British friends...

[Mikey]

It's easier for American actors to do Brit accents because 95% of the people watching it (Americans) can't tell the difference anyway.

Just say bloody and daft a few times are you're good to go

[jwyblejr]

I think both are fine, but if I have to pick I'd say Downey Jr.

For one thing all the rolls I can think of where Depp is using a British accent are characters that are fairly over-the-top (From Hell, The Pirates Movies), where as Downey Jr.'s characters with accents have been played a little straighter (Chaplin, Sherlock Holmes).

For Depp,it didn't seem over the top in Finding Neverland.

[Hector]

What is this sarcasm you speak of?

Well, the part where you said Oldman had a bad British accent...despite the fact that he himself is a Brit.

It's either an "oops" moment...or you were being sarcastic towards J.B. ...

Post #27...

Originally Posted by J.B. View Post
Too tough a call Hector; they both seem pretty convincing to me. Now, if you're looking for worst accent ever......

Yeah, Oldman just can't do a British accent, I don't know why he even tries.

__________

[Bill]

Try and keep up...

[Meule]

Well, the part where you said Oldman had a bad British accent...despite the fact that he himself is a Brit.

It's either an "oops" moment...or you were being sarcastic towards J.B. ...

Post #27...

Originally Posted by J.B. View Post
Too tough a call Hector; they both seem pretty convincing to me. Now, if you're looking for worst accent ever......

Yeah, Oldman just can't do a British accent, I don't know why he even tries.

__________

He's messing with you, Hec

[Meule]

Well great...not one single Brit has come to the front and end this debate...so far just a bunch of yanks and canucks...and the two Brits...one stuck a tongue at me...and the other hasn't seen Sherlock Holmes...

And who are you calling a yank and a canuck, eh?

[torgospizza]

Best British accent by an American? Got to be Dick Van Dyke! It's like he's a native.

[Hector]

I still have not gotten a real Brit to answer my bloody question...

[Dark Shadow]

^ I still have not gotten a real Brit to answer my bloody question...

Bloody hell! Blooming imposters! Rubbish, I say! Right then.

(The sum of my Harry Potter inspired cultural linguistic studies.)

[Bruce Banner]

Both actors are good at what is called the "received pronunciation" accent.

Depp's accent in From Hell is very similar to the one he used in Sleepy Hollow, just perhaps a little more Anglicized.

(Sweeney Todd and Jack Sparrow are obviously far more regionally stylized.)

But really, it's too close to call between the two specific movies/characters/performances in question.

[Hector]

FINALLY!!!!!!

Thanks, Bruce!!!

[raider5gt]

Well great...not one single Brit has come to the front and end this debate...so far just a bunch of yanks and canucks...and the two Brits...one stuck a tongue at me...and the other hasn't seen Sherlock Holmes...

Sorry Hec,had man flu for the past few days but will try and watch ole Sherlock this weekend and put my 2 cents in But Bruce B has probably answered you best.