He was not just an icon but he was probably the last surviving A-list studio star of the film industry’s golden age.
He’ll probably be best remembered for his tough guy roles in movies like Spartacus and while he indeed enjoyed a macho man persona (Sylvester Stallone has cited him as an inspiration) he also had a lot of range and made risky choices, even at the height of his career.
He paved the way for a new kind of antihero leading man — the kinds of parts that his famous son Michael Douglas would later excel in. Here are some of his best roles worth seeking out:
Out of the Past (1947) - One of Douglas’ rare villainous roles has him going toe to toe with Robert Mitchum in one of the most influential and acclaimed film noirs of all time.
Ace in the Hole (1951) - A pitch black takedown of ravenous media figures that was ahead of its time. Douglas plays a journalist exploiting a tragic situation for fame and fortune. An edgy classic.
The Bad & the Beautiful (1952) - A great example of Douglas’ unconventional leading man persona. His Hollywood exec character in this backstage drama is a real bastard, but you can’t take your eyes off him.
Paths of Glory (1957) - The first of two classic collaborations with director Stanley Kubrick is a powerful and painful look at the futility of war. The WWI trench sequences are spectacular, but the real fireworks emanate from Douglas’ compelling, heroic performance.
Spartacus (1960) - In my opinion, the best and probably the most watchable sword and sandals epic ever made. Although director Stanley Kubrick's trademark style was clearly suppressed, this is a great star vehicle for Douglas, who shows off his impressive physicality and noble bearing here in spades.
Lonely Are the Brave (1962) - An interesting little character study about a cowboy refusing to conform to modern life and apparently a favorite role of Douglas. It's a revisionist western -- in some ways playing against expectations of audiences who knew Douglas from more straightforward roles.
Seven Days of May (1964) - A taut political drama that feels weirdly prescient considering the current occupant of the White House. Douglas plays the voice of reason amid a military plot to stage a coup to depose a doveish sitting president. A smart and effective movie.
The Fury (1978) - Wildly over the top and entertaining Brian De Palma thriller with a still very fit Douglas running around trying to reunite with his supernaturally gifted son. Certainly silly, but also stylish and watchable from start to finish. This may be Douglas' last great leading man role.
No comments:
Post a Comment