best film: Apocalypse Now is the second best film of all-time so if you were in it, or a part of it, it’s your best film (there is zero overlapping cast with my #1 film: The Searchers). Duvall is more than just “in” Apocalypse Now, he eviscerates the screen as Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore. He’s on fire for his entire short duration on screen.
best performance: Apocalypse Now but I’m fine if you want to go with his fantastic work in Lonesome Dove. Lonesome Dove is 6 ½ hours and Duvall is probably on screen for 3 of those hours. In contrast, he’s on screen for less than 10 minutes in Apocalypse Now, both are unforgettable characters. Duvall himself thinks his Augustus ‘Gus’ McCrae in Lonesome Dove is one of the best characters in screen history (which leads me to believe even he thinks it’s his best work) but I’ve got to give the ever-so-slight edge to his work in Apocalypse Now.
stylistic innovations/traits: I think I have a good beat on Duvall’s career. There are four distinct categories or periods. In the 60’s he was earning his way as a supporting character but he created a name for himself as Boo Radley opposite Gregory Peck in To Kill a Mockingbird and then steals a few lines and scenes away from John Wayne and even Steve McQueen. The 70’s mark Duvall’s supporting career in some of the art form’s best films. He’s in 6 masterpieces in the 70’s (4 with Coppola and MASH and then Network). He’s not the best in any of them (and rarely is he the second best) but he’s vital to these films. Next, with really The Great Santini in 1979 he goes to become a leading man (and he’s superb at it) but doesn’t work for overly talented directors. This covers Santini, Tender Mercies (his Oscar Win), and The Apostle (which he directs himself—and he’s no Eastwood). His last stage is supporting in lesser films and the best of which would probably be James Gray’s We Own the Night (Gray adores and emulates Coppola so this is no surprise he cast Duvall). All in all Duvall was in 25 archivceable films, had 7 oscar noms, is known for his southern accent/charm but has great range as well (his Tom Hagen in The Godfather couldn’t be more different from Gus McCrae). How about his scene with Marlon Brando telling him that James Caan, Sonny, his son, has died? Tough to top that.
directors worked with: Francis Ford Coppola (4) and wow—yeah. And then once a piece with Altman, Penn, George Lucas, Lumet and James Gray.
Top 5 Performances:
- Apocalypse Now
- Lonesome Dove
- The Apostle
- The Godfather
- Tender Mercies
Archiveable films
| 1962- To Kill A Mockingbird |
| 1966- The Chase |
| 1968- Bullitt |
| 1969- True Grit |
| 1970- MASH |
| 1971- THX 1138 |
| 1972- The Godfather |
| 1974- The Conversation |
| 1974- The Godfather Part II |
| 1976- Network |
| 1976- The Seven-Per-Cent Solution |
| 1978- Invasion of Body Snatchers |
| 1979- Apocalypse Now |
| 1979- The Great Santini |
| 1983- Tender Mercies |
| 1988- Colors |
| 1989- Lonesome Dove |
| 1991- Rambling Rose |
| 1994- The Paper |
| 1996-Sling Blade |
| 1997- The Apostle |
| 2007- We Own the Night |
| 2009- Crazy Heart |
| 2009- The Road |
| 2009- Get Low |
You didn’t mention his role as a leading man in Get Low(2009) where he got robbed of an oscar nomination.
Where is Broken Trail(2006)?
How the hell is Robert Duvall not in the top 50.He is magnificent in 3 masterpieces(The Godfather,Network,Apocalypse Now) great as a leading man(Lonesome dove,Great Santini,Tender Mercies,The Apostle,Get Low).An actor should dream to have that top 8.
@Janith- the explanation of why he’s not in the top 50 is above
You can rank 66 actors above him but no one in film history gave 3 great performances in 3 top 25 films and one of the best film performances of all time on a per minute basis in the second best film of all time.One of the best actors of his generation.I think everyone realized how good he was as Tom Hagen in the first two godfather films when he wasn’t there in the third godfather film.By the way no one cares about what he did in We Own The Night and Widows etc. but I think everyone should talk about his work in Open Range(2003),Broken Trail(2006) and Get Low(2009).3 gems in his later career.
@Janith– the first statement about 3 great performances in top 25 films is incorrect. Open Range, Broken Trail and Get Low are nice little films– but not essential viewing