# Greatest Film Performance Ever? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 19, 2004, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057 "2004-10-19T17:00:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057/41 "2004-10-20T20:49:13Z")
> [@Fiver](#): > > I don’t know how anyone could argue with my fiancee Charlize Theron’s performance in _Monster._ Definitely on my top-five list. I just want to honorable mention **Holly Hunter** in **The Piano**. Not one line was spoken. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Death](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@Evil\_Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Death)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057/42 "2004-10-20T21:59:58Z")
Henry Fonda in Once Upon A Time In The West. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057/43 "2004-10-20T23:02:55Z")
Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov - **Spartacus** Angela Lansbury - **The Manchurian Candidate** Anthony Perkins - **Psycho** Jack Lemmon - **Glengarry Glen Ross** Hillary Swank - **Boys Don’t Cry** Vanilla Ice - **Cool As Ice** NOTE: One of the above is a joke ---
**Author:** ![Gadfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@Gadfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadfly)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057/44 "2004-10-20T23:49:58Z")
Steve Buscemi - **Fargo** William H. Macy - **Fargo** Peter Sarsgaard - **Shattered Glass** Philip Seymour Hoffman - **Owning Mahowney** Jack Nicholson - **One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest** Anthony Hopkins - **Silence of the Lambs** ---
**Author:** ![Roseworm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df788c/32.png) [@Roseworm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roseworm)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2004, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057/45 "2004-10-21T03:27:49Z")
Thank you, everyone, for the great suggestions. I want to especially thank **Eve** and \*\*Ilsa-Lund \*\* for making sure that the Silent Era was not forgotten (Has America ever had an actress greater than Lillian Gish??). But in hindsight I realize that my question was too broad (I am still a newbie on these message boards). In fact I was thinking of NON-starring roles. It is easy to pick out great starring performances like George C. Scott in _Patton_, Marlon Brando in _The Godfather_, and Anthony Perkins in _Psycho_. But I am looking for those dazzling small roles - where a bit-player or character actor basically hijacks the film. With that in mind we can see that **Dooku** offered three fine suggestions: Charles Laughton in _Spartacus_ (1960) Peter Ustinov in _Spartacus_ (1960) Angela Lansbury in \*The Manchurian Candidate \* (1962) I would like to offer four more of my own: Myrna Loy (as Fu’s kinky daughter) in \*The Mask of Fu Manchu \* (1932) Ernest Thesiger (as Dr. Praetorious) in \*The Bride of Frankenstein \* (1935) Walter Huston (as the Devil) in \*All That Money Can \* Buy (a.k.a. _The Devil and Daniel Webster_ - 1941) Sterling Hayden (as the crazed Jack D. Ripper) in \*Dr. Strangelove \* (1964) Respectfully, [Roseworm234@yahoo.com](mailto:Roseworm234@yahoo.com) ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2004, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057/46 "2004-10-21T04:44:13Z")
> [@Roseworm](#): > > But I am looking for those dazzling small roles - where a bit-player or character actor basically hijacks the film. . . . > > Walter Huston (as the Devil) in \*All That Money Can \* Buy (a.k.a. _The Devil and Daniel Webster_ - 1941) 😕 Houston and Edward Arnold were the stars of the movie, and Houston got an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2004, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057/47 "2004-10-21T05:01:43Z")
> [@Walloon](#): > > Houston and Edward Arnold were the stars of the movie, and Houston got an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. I haven’t seen the movie in question, but as far as the Academy is concerned the distinction between a lead vs. supporting role is pretty ill-defined, if it exists. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2004, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057/48 "2004-10-21T07:12:55Z")
**Jose Ferrer in "The Caine Mutiny"** He appears in the last 30 minutes of the film and his performance is rivetting. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2004, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057/49 "2004-10-21T09:00:17Z")
Al Pacino in the first two Godfather movies. Masterful descent from law-abiding patriot to cold-blooded killer. Toshiro Mifune in Heaven and Hell ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2004, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057/50 "2004-10-21T09:40:47Z")
> [@TV time](#): > > Seriously, \*\*Orson Welles[i/], but not in the expected _Citizen Kane_ instead in _The Third Man_. > > He is a villian who is seldom on screen but is hypnotic and dynamic and very real. In _Citizen Kane_ he is very good. In the _Third Man_, he is great I would have nominated Joseph Cotten for Citizen Kane and equally for the Third Man. Maybe he just worked well with Welles. And despite my approval of George Sanders, I think it was more the roles than his performance that were great (Addison de Witt not withstanding). Eve, I agree that one choice is so difficult with different times and tastes. Overall though, I have to go for Welles in Citizen Kane. If I could sneak a second it would be Zasu Pitts for Greed. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2004, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057/51 "2004-10-21T10:04:40Z")
This is totally objective and it’s impossible to crown one “king performance” but I’m just going to name a few that I have really enjoyed over the years: -Really everyone in _Citizen Kane_, but especially Everett Sloane, Dorothy Comingale, and Orson Welles -Gary Oldman in _Immortal Beloved_ -Everyone in _Glengarry Glenross_, especially Jack Lemmon -The movie was nothing really out of the ordinary, but Ben Kingsley’s performance in _House of Sand and Fog_ was incredible in my opinion -Stellaaaaaa! -Jack Nicholson as RP McMurphy -Keanu Reeves in _The Matrix_ ---
**Author:** ![kelly5078](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6f9a4e/32.png) [@kelly5078](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kelly5078)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2004, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057/52 "2004-10-21T15:11:29Z")
Paul Scofield in _A Man for All Seasons_. Marlon Brando in _A Streetcar Named Desire_ Vivien Leigh in _Gone With the Wind_ Lawrence Olivier in _The Marathon Man_ ---
**Author:** ![kka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/54ee81/32.png) [@kka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kka)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2004, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057/53 "2004-10-21T17:02:29Z")
**Billy Bob Thornton** in The Man Who Wasn’t There **Sissy Spacek** in Coal Miner’s Daughter **Dustin Hoffman** in Kramer v. Kramer **Ellyn Burnstyn** in Requiem for a Dream ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2004, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057/54 "2004-10-21T17:28:37Z")
**Jane Wyman** in _Johnny Belinda_ (1948). She won the Best Actress Oscar, playing a deaf, mute girl and never uttering a word throughout the entire film. Now _that’s_ acting! ---
**Author:** ![kka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/54ee81/32.png) [@kka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kka)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057/55 "2004-10-22T02:29:31Z")
It’s surprising how overwhelmingly we have chosen dramatic performances over comedic. Yet, you hear actors say again and again that great comedy is harder than drama. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057/56 "2004-10-22T03:55:02Z")
Interestingly, Woody Allen disgarees with that cliché. He says that he’s done comedy and he’s done drama, and drama is harder. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057/57 "2004-10-22T05:03:13Z")
> [@kka](#): > > It’s surprising how overwhelmingly we have chosen dramatic performances over comedic. Yet, you hear actors say again and again that great comedy is harder than drama. OK then, how about \*\*Eddie Murphy \*\* in The Nutty Professor? He created a number of distinct human beings, and the main character had moments of true heart. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Death](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@Evil\_Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Death)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057/58 "2004-10-22T11:49:27Z")
> [@kka](#): > > It’s surprising how overwhelmingly we have chosen dramatic performances over comedic. Yet, you hear actors say again and again that great comedy is harder than drama. They’re wrong. Not everyone who can act well can make people laugh, but not everyone who can make people laugh is a great actor. De Niro is a great actor, but anyone who ever suffered through Analyse That knows how erratic his comedic skills can be. Billy Connolly, on the other hand, is one of the funniest men ever to live - but with rare exceptions he’s only a competent actor. The gifts are separate. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Death](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@Evil\_Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Death)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057/59 "2004-10-22T11:56:40Z")
Bugger - forgot to add: The reason actors are mistaken in this regard is because they don’t see this; they only know that they’re good at one but not so good at the other (even if they’re wrong - like Jim Carrey, who is a poor comedian but a good actor). ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057/60 "2004-10-22T12:18:50Z")
I don’t about the greatest performances ever but maybe in a career. Liam Neeson tore my heart out in _Schindler’s List_ Robert Duvall was outstanding as Gus in _Lonesome Dove_ and in _The Searchers_ the Duke was great. there are plenty of others and y’alls list so far is terrific. I’ve got to add Mel Gibson in _Braveheart_ though. He made me laugh and cry, made the hair stand up on my arms. I would’ve fought right there with him…some of my ancestors did. Maybe these aren’t exactly up to y’alls standards but I know I can watch these movies over and over again and they are still good. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-film-performance-ever/270057.md?page=4)