10 Greatest Films of Sir John Hurt
Sir John Hurt passed away a few days ago (25 January 2017) at the age of 77. He was born in Derbyshire in 1940. When he was twenty he received a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. After small parts in a few films, he had his first major role in A Man of All Seasons (1966) playing Richard Rich, the Lord Chancellor of Edward VI.
Hurt was an extremely prolific character actor. He appeared in about 140 films and many, many television movies and shows. Two of my favorite of his roles were on television — Caligula in I, Claudius and the War Doctor in the Doctor Who 50th anniversary special. His distinctive haggard face and wonderfully melodic yet raspy voice were always welcome in any production. He was nominated for two acting Oscars.
10. A Man for All Seasons (1966) — Hurt plays the unscrupulous Lord Chancellor Richard Rich in this story about Sir Thomas More’s refusal to approve King Henry VIII’s divorce.
“I would be faithful.” — Richard Rich
9. Rob Roy (1995) — Hurt plays a rather nasty villain as the 1st Duke of Montrose. He and Tim Roth, whom plays the other villain of the film, chew a lot of scenery as they make Rob Roy MacGregor’s life hell. Liam Neeson plays Sir Walter Scott’s titular hero.
“Great men, such as yourself, draw rumors as shite draws flies.” — Montrose
8. V for Vendetta (2006) — twenty-two years after playing a victim of Big Brother, Hurt plays Big Brother himself — Sutler, a dictator ruling Britain and dealing with a troublesome vigilante called V, played by Hugo Weaving.
“My fellow Englishmen: tonight our country, that which we stand for, and all we hold dear, faces a grave and terrible threat. This violent and unparalleled assault on our security will not go undefended… or unpunished. Our enemy is an insidious one, seeking to divide us and destroy the very foundation of our great nation. Tonight, we must remain steadfast. We must remain determined. But most of all, we must remain united. Those caught tonight in violation of curfew will be considered in league with our enemy and prosecuted as a terrorist without leniency or exception. Tonight, I give you my most solemn vow: that justice will be swift, it will be righteous, and it will be without mercy.” — Sutler
7. Midnight Express (1978) — Hurt plays a heroin addict in this story about prisoners attempting to escape from a Turkish prison.
“The best thing to do is to get your ass out of here. Best way that you can.” — Max
6. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) — I remember watching this film in the theater and when John Hurt appeared on screen as Garrick Ollivander, I thought “of course!”
“I remember every wand I’ve ever sold, Mr. Potter. It so happens that the phoenix whose tailfeather resides in your wand gave another feather… just one other. It is curious that you should be destined for this wand when its brother gave you that scar.” — Mr. Ollivander
5. Alien (1979) — Being the first one to die, in the film, this isn’t Hurt’s largest part, but the death scene is so memorable that fans easily remember Kane.
“I remember some… horrible dream about… smothering? I don’t know… Anyway, where are we?” — Kane
4. 10 Rillington Place (1971) — During the 1940s-1950s, a serial killer named John Christie murdered at least eight people in Notting Hill. Richard Attenborough plays Christie. John Hurt plays a neighbor, named Timothy Evans, who is falsely accused of killing one of the victims. It’s a dark tale.
“Don’t you worry, Mr Christie, you’ll get your money back. I’ll be getting a new job shortly I shouldn’t wonder. They’ve asked me if I want to train as a manager or as a managing director or something, you know.” — Timothy Evans
3. The Elephant Man (1980) — His face hidden and his voice altered, this is a role that many people are unaware Hurt played. It earned him him a Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar nomination.
“I am not an elephant! I am not an animal! I am a human being! I am a man!” — John Merrick
2. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) -John Le Carré’s novel has been adapted before, but never with such brilliant cast performances. Gary Oldman gives his best work in the lead role as George Smiley and John Hurt is wonderfully enigmatic and malevolent as Control.
“I know that Moscow has planted a mole, and I know it is one of five men.” — Control
1. 1984 (1984) — In this very timely film, Hurt played Winston Smith, the everyman captured and “re-educated” by the state.
“Thoughtcrime is death. Thoughtcrime does not entail death. Thoughtcrime IS death. I have committed even before setting pen to paper the essential crime that contains all others unto itself.” — Winston Smith
As with other in memoriam posts, there was no time for research or watching additional films. I’ve no doubt not included one of your favorites, maybe because I forgot or maybe because I haven’t seen it, yet. What would make your list?
