best film: It’s either Rebecca or Spartacus and this is Olivier’s problem. These films are with Kubrick and Hitchcock—the best two directors of all-time. But—and it’s a big but—I have these two films as Kubrick’s 10th best and Hitchcock’s 12th best film. Basically what I’m saying is if you were watching the greatest works of film art in order of greatness you’re going to go a very long time before you get to a Laurence Olivier movie sadly. I do not believe that’s totally coincidental despite Olivier’s obvious greatness as an actor.
best performance: Hamlet and this category is much more fun. I went with Hamlet (best picture winner 1948- which Olivier himself directed). He’s brilliant in it. It’s hard to picture another actor doing Shakespeare better (as an actor—of course Kurosawa swamped Olivier directing Shakespeare). I also think his work as a total bastard in The Entertainer gives him a nice seedy underbelly and range to his work. I love that performance. He’s so captivating in Spartacus (it’s the best performance in the film—sorry Kirk Douglas) and of course his work in The Marathon Man is famously horrifying (“Is it safe?”).
stylistic innovations/traits: Olivier had 9 nominations and a career that spanned nearly 40 years (and 20 archiveable films) and many consider him amongst the very greatest actors of all-time (and for good reason). He’s incredibly skilled as an actor. He’s known for his Shakespearian works and performances (four times), period films and prestige pictures. Unfortunately, more often than not it was his acting that was the main show and not the film. It makes for low-stakes (relatively) art and frankly, not much that stays with you. There was some bad luck involved. He did work with the likes of Hitchcock, Wyler, Kubrick, Powell and Preminger- but not in their best work by a long stretch. I don’t know, maybe that isn’t luck.
directors worked with: Olivier (4) himself the only one more than once—then once with Wyler, Hitchcock, Kubrick and Powell
Top 5 Performances:
- Hamlet
- The Entertainer
- Henry V
- Spartacus
- Wuthering Heights
Archiveable films
| 1939- Wuthering Heights |
| 1940- Pride and Prejudice |
| 1940- Rebecca |
| 1941- That Hamilton Woman |
| 1941- The 49th Parallel |
| 1944- Henry V |
| 1948- Hamlet |
| 1955- Richard III |
| 1957- The Prince and the Showgirl |
| 1960- Spartacus |
| 1960- The Entertainer |
| 1965- Bunny Lake is Missing |
| 1965- Othello |
| 1966- Khartoum |
| 1971- Nicholas and Alexandra |
| 1972- Sleuth |
| 1976- The Marathon Man |
| 1976- The Seven-Per-Cent Solution |
| 1977- A Bridge Too Far |
| 1978- The Boys From Brazil |
It’s honestly a shame he didn’t manage to be in better films. It’s not like he goes unrecognised, but I believe he had talent and primarily skill and precision (I guess that stems from his extensive theatre work) that was matched by very few of his peers. I am quite sure that had he been in a masterpiece or two we would be talking about an actor in the top 20 and not simply top 50 of all time. Also, I always heard many people consider his performance as Richard III to be his best work (I haven’t really decided on it yet) but where do you stand on it?
@Georg– yeah I”d have his Richard III just outside of his top 5 but agree on the traits you mention here as far as Olivier’s skill and precision.
What do you think about the television film love among the ruins(1975)
@Janith- I have not seen this one
He won the Primetime Emmy for outstandiang lead actor in a television film for it.
Love Among The Ruins(1975) newly got released on Bluray this year.You should add it to your queue.
@Janith- thanks for sharing
I’d take his work in Pride and Prejudice over Withering Heights