The 10 Greatest Films of Sir Ian Holm
Sir Ian Holm passed away on June 19, 2020, at the age of 88. He was born Ian Holm Cuthbert, In Essex, England, in 1931. In 1949, he entered the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He graduated in 1953. He became a respected member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, in Stratford. It was a BBC adaptation of one of the RSC plays that introduced him to television audiences.
His first film appearance was in The Bofors Gun (1968). His fifteenth film got him recognized around the world as the android Ash in Alien (1979). Two years later he was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance in Chariots of Fire (1981).
Although it wasn’t the first film in which I saw him, his role as Fluellen, a Welsh soldier, in Henry V (1989) set an incorrect bit in my head that Ian Holm was Welsh. That film is my favorite film. I’ve seen it more than 50 times, so Holm has a Welsh accent, in my head.
He was well established as a Shakespearean actor, but If Alien (1979) wasn’t enough to make him a star of the sci-fi/fantasy genre, he followed that with roles in Time Bandits (1981), The Fifth Element (1997), and then as the older Bilbo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings films.
Scenes in the Hobbit films (2012 & 2014) were his last film work. He suffered from Parkinson’s disease and was confined to a wheelchair in his last years.
Sir Ian Holm appeared in about 75 films, a couple of dozen television shows, and countless plays.
I recall reading an interview in which he described his method of acting. He said that rather than emote, he focused on thinking the character’s emotions and trusted the camera to pick up on those thoughts. It worked. His eyes told us exactly what was going on in his brain, allowing him to quickly shift from jovial to menacing.
10. Hamlet (1990) — Holm played Polonius in Franco Zeffirelli and Mel Gibson’s testosterone rich adaptation of Shakespeare’s masterpiece.
“This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.” — Polonius
9. The Fifth Element (1997) — Luc Besson’s bonkers and gorgeous science fiction film stars Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, Milla Jovovich, and Chris Tucker. Holm plays Father Vito Cornelius, a priest of the 50th level parish. He is one of line of priests who have passed down knowledge of the Great Evil.
“I know she’s made to be strong, but she’s also so fragile, so human. Know what I mean?” — Priest Vito Cornelius
8. The Madness of King George (1994) — The film is an adaptation of Alan Bennett’s play and the role of King George is played, as in the play, by Nigel Hawthorne. Mirren plays Queen Charlotte, George’s wife. Ian Holm plays the king’s doctor, Doctor Willis.
“I have you in my eye, Sir. And I shall keep you in my eye until you learn to do as you’re told.” — Dr. Willis
7. Brazil (1985) — How to classify this film? Surreal, dystopian, black comedy, political commentary? Terry Gilliam’s dense future take on Orwell’s 1984. The film stars Jonathan Pryce, Michael Palin, Ian Holm, Robert De Niro, and Katherine Helmond.
“Dead? That’s awful. We’ll never get rid of the bloody thing now!” — Kurtzmann
6. Henry V (1989) — My favorite film, period. As a high school kid, I was awed when I first saw it. As a Brit, I was inspired. As a budding writer, I was humbled. I was awed not just at Shakespeare’s brilliance but at Kenneth Branagh’s talent. Just 34 years old and he was adapting, directing, and starring in such a challenging project.
Branagh took Shakespeare’s words out onto the muddy, blood-caked fields and surrounded himself with great talent such as Derek Jacobi, Ian Holm, Brian Blessed, Paul Scofield, Judi Dench, and Emma Thompson. Just perfect.
“Captain Macmorris, I think, look you, under your correction, there is not many of your nation.” — Fluellen
5. Big Night (1996) — The story of two immigrant brothers — Primo and Secondo (Played by Tony Shalhoub and Stanley Tucci). They run a struggling restaurant in New Jersey. The film revolves around their relationship, their relationships with women, and their challenge to save their restaurant by preparing a grand meal for a famous singer. Holm plays Pascal, the owner of a competing restaurant.
“Give people what they want, then later you can give them what you want.” — Pascal
4. Alien (1979) — Director Ridley Scott’s scary and gruesome film has me debating whether it should be on the greatest Sci-fi list, the greatest horror list, or both. Aliencould have been a huge misfire, but the combination of Scott’s methodical building of tension, the impressive cast led by relative newcomer Sigourney Weaver, and the frightening alien designs from H.R. Giger, create an unforgettable experience.
“You still don’t understand what you’re dealing with, do you? The perfect organism. Its structural perfection is matched only by its hostility.” — Ash
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) — Ian Holm is marvelous as Bilbo Baggins. He has all the joviality of the hobbit but also conveys a dark and dangerous edge caused by the addiction of Gollum’s ring.
“I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.” — Bilbo Baggins
2. Chariots of Fire (1981) — The true story of Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams, two men that competed against each other at the 1924 Olympics, in Paris. The film is probably best known for the music from Vangelis. Holm plays Scipio Africanus Mussabini, the man who coached Harold Abrahams. Holm received an Oscar nomination for his performance.
“Yeah, he’s fast! But he won’t go any faster. He’s a gut runner, digs deep! But a short sprint is run on nerves. It’s tailor-made for neurotics.” — Sam Mussabini
1. The Sweet Hereafter (1997) — This is a small and under appreciated Canadian film from director Atom Egoyan. It tells the story of a class-action lawsuit in a small town after a school bus accident kills several children. I rank it so highly in this list not because it is a better film than the already mentioned films, but because it is such a fine example of Sir Ian Holm in a rare leading role. He plays Mitchell Stephens, a lawyer in the small town, who leads the effort to file the suit.
“I did not have to go as far as I was prepared to go, but I was prepared to go all the way.” — Mitchell Stephens
Other films considered for this list include Robin and Marian (1976), Time Bandits (1981), Dreamchild (1985), Ratatouille (2007), Dance with a Stranger (1985), The Aviator (2004), Garden State (2004), From Hell (2001), Lord of War (2005), Young Winston (1972) and Wetherby (1985).
What would make your list?
