Top 10 Film Portrayals of 20th Century Leaders
Published on May 1, 2008 - 96 Comments
The lives of our greatest leaders have frequently been presented in movie form. A majority of films of this genre depict ancient leaders, but there have been a number of exceptional movies based on the lives of modern leaders. This is a selection of the 10 greatest portrayals in film of 20th century leaders.
Those looking for a thorough history lesson on North African geopolitics in this Milius sand-and-saber epic will be sorely disappointed. But it’s an enjoyable and completely watchable adventure flick, with Sean Connery starring as the Berber king and Brian Keith as the embodiment of America as a rising imperial power. His Roosevelt is at once admirable and despicable, affable yet flamboyantly arrogant, complete with TR’s trademark broad grin.
Pu Yi is one of the 20th Century’s most tragic figures. He was born the sovereign of a vast and ancient empire, only to witness it collapse entirely within his lifetime. Hong Kong actor Lone, in a ridiculously under appreciated performance, portrays Pu Yi as a man desperately clinging to an out-moded sense of tradition. In the end, as an old man visiting the Forbidden City as a tourist, he bequeaths the reigns of power to the new Maoist generation before silently passing into history.
“Every civilization finds it necessary to negotiate compromises with its own values.” This account of the Israeli punitive operation against those believed responsible for the 1972 Olympics massacre, at its core, asks where justice ends and revenge begins. Based on outward impression, Cohen’s grandmotherly Meir hardly seems the type that would bless a secret mission of retribution. Then again, vengeance has a way of hardening even the softest heart.
The British Hopkins might not have seemed an obvious choice to play the often-maligned U.S. president in Oliver Stone’s biopic. However he plays Nixon as an extremely complicated man beset by feelings of inadequacy, not only from his political superiors (yes, superiors) but also from his mother, whose ghostly presence haunts Nixon at every turn. As his administration unravels amid a torrent of scandal and addiction, he resigns in an effort to avert what could have been a second civil war. In doing so, he reclaims not only his own destiny, but even a measure of nobility.
Could it be that Winston Churchill might have found his doppelganger in Albert Finney? It’s hard to watch this made-for-cable docudrama and not think so. He begins as an outsider, marginalized for his supposedly alarmist warnings about the rise of Nazism. He is singularly dedicated to his political career, leading to bouts of depression and tension with his wife. Finney shatters the stone layers of Churchill the Character to bring us Churchill the Man, complete with weakness and imperfection, as well as nerve and dignity.
There is simply no way to sympathize with Adolf Hitler, and any attempt to do so through film (or any other means) is abominable. Ganz never sets out to create a sympathetic Hitler here. Instead, he gives us the living cadaver of a sick and twisted spirit who deceived millions into following him into perdition. Hitler and his regime are stripped of their mystique and invincibility - gone are the earth-trembling parades, the fluttering banners, and the hollow promises of empire. Utterly demystified and abandoned, Ganz’s Hitler awaits his coming ignominious death, but not before unleashing his madness, one last time, on those most loyal to him.
Helen Mirren may be the most talented actress of her generation, and with good reason: no one else has two Queen Elizabeths on her resume. Here, her portrayal of Elizabeth II is much like Pu Yi, holding fast to a tradition that fewer and fewer understand. Nobility is no longer a birthright, a fact that apparently everyone but the royal family now accepts. In the wake of Princess Diana’s death, the Queen must finally capitulate to the realities of a changed world, or risk destroying the monarchy forever. Kudos also to actor Michael Sheen as Tony Blair.
The thing that makes Amin the stuff of nightmares is not just his monstrous brutality, but the fact that we are so drawn to him. When we first meet Whitaker’s Amin here, we understand how he seduced the masses of Uganda into following him. He’s jovial, amiable, even fun. However when the opposition nearly assassinates him, we get a glimpse of his savagery, but not before our protagonist has become entangled in his web. As Amin sinks deeper in paranoia and violent mood swings, his true nature is revealed - a cruel, capricious child who charms the media as a quaint curiousity, while his death squads carry out mass murder on a rarely-surpassed scale.
“Patton” tells the tale of General George S. Patton, famous tank commander of World War II. The film begins with Patton’s career in North Africa and progresses through the invasion of Germany and the fall of the Third Reich. Side plots also speak of Patton’s numerous faults such his temper and habit towards insubordination. Faults which would, eventually, lead to his being relieved as Occupation Commander of Germany. While Patton was not a political leader, like the others on this list, there is no doubt that he was a great military leader and the film itself is so good that it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.
Simply one of the greatest performances of all time. Kingsley portrays the Mahatma from his early days in South Africa through India’s independence and postcolonial troubles and finally his assassination following the India-Pakistan partition. We feel the weight of the world that rests upon Gandhi’s shoulders as he strives to change society through nonviolence, a philosophy contrary to Man’s inherently barbarous nature. This film does not set out to tell the life story of Gandhi - that would be impossible for a reasonable time frame. Rather, we focus on his humility, piety and impossible serenity in the face of fanaticism and suffering. If you see only one more film for the rest of your life, let it be this one.
Contributor: The Bed-headed Stranger
Related ListsTop 10 Most Bizarre VideosTop 10 Greatest Italian Film Directors Top 10 Composers You Don’t Know Top 10 Stunning 20th Century Operas |
SubscriptionsLike this article? Subscribe to the RSS feed to keep 'em coming, or subscribe via email: |
If you find this site helpful, please leave a donation so you can enjoy the spirit of giving too.
Email This Post
1. Bass - May 1st, 2008 at 4:28 am
Very good list! I would have put Ganz as Hitler closer to #1, but it is still good. I have yet to see Ghandi, but I will soon because of this.
2. jfrater - May 1st, 2008 at 4:31 am
Bass: Gandhi is a great film - you will definitely enjoy it.
3. carpe_noctem - May 1st, 2008 at 4:37 am
I’ve never seen Ghandi, but it’s definitely among my list of things to see soon (considering we have the same birthday… my birthday is ghandi day!)
Another very good list, the top 5 are truly some of the best performances on screen to date. Forrest Whitaker’s Idi Amin is one of the most likeable and hateable portrayals in years, and Ganz’s Hitler is incredible, it almost makes us sympathetic for such an evil man in his last hours.
4. Randall - May 1st, 2008 at 5:19 am
VERY nice list… off the top of my head, about the only one that I can think of that’s missing is Ralph Bellamy in “Sunrise at Campobello.” (1960) Which is just a favorite of mine.
Others:
George Arliss in “Disraeli” (1929)
Sam Waterston in “Oppenheimer” (1980)… a PBS miniseries, but still…
Raymond Massey in “Abe Lincoln in Illinois” (1940)
Paul Muni in “The Life of Emile Zola” (1937)
and Muni again in “The Story of Louis Pasteur” (1935)
But really almost none of these match up to “Ghandi” or “Patton”
5. Ginger Lee - May 1st, 2008 at 5:21 am
Helen Mirren is truly one of the greatest actresses ever and a kind of an interesting irony the British Monarch was played by a woman with Russian tsarist blood.
I would have added Linus Roache’s portrayal of Bobby Kennedy in RFK in my humble opinion. Not the best bio by any means but it is the best portrayal of RFK I’ve ever seen.
6. Randall - May 1st, 2008 at 5:23 am
Well that was stupid of me… you can pretty much disregard my previous post… somehow I forgot, this is a list of 20TH CENTURY leaders… duh. I haven’t had my morning coffee yet, so I plead low-caffeine stupor.
The only one I mentioned that matters is “Sunrise at Campobello.”
Anyway, again…. great list.
7. bucslim - May 1st, 2008 at 5:29 am
Nixon resigned to avoid a possible second civil war? I think that’s over dramatized a bit. His reason for resigning was he didn’t want the country to go through the embarrassment of his impeachment. And of course because he knew he got caught.
I don’t recall anyone taking up arms though. . .
8. warrrreagl - May 1st, 2008 at 5:31 am
Hmmm, let me sit and think long and hard about some obscure portrayal that was left off your list so I can point that out and walk around the rest of the morning feeling smug.
Isn’t that the way these comments are supposed to go?
On the other hand, great list - I enjoyed it.
9. bucslim - May 1st, 2008 at 5:34 am
I believe Patton’s daughter was dumbfounded at Scott’s portrayal of Patton. She said it was so lifelike it was spooky. She said the only difference was in the voice as Patton was known to have a high pitch squeak, especially when he was angry, whereas Scott’s voice was more gravely.
10. stevenh - May 1st, 2008 at 5:47 am
The top 5 are truly the top 5.
Excellent List.
Regarding #8 - ‘Golda’:
Your point about vengeance is the just slight of the excellence of Cohen’s performance - way more than just hardening a heart.
Simple vengeance is more a masculine, Charles Bronson, type thing (”I’m pissed and I’m gonna get you”). This is more of a mother tiger protecting her cubs, and if you were to get to the cubs through her defenses, you’re fcuked.
Lynn Cohen captured that.
11. stevenh - May 1st, 2008 at 5:52 am
warrrreagl: hahahha
12. DiscHuker - May 1st, 2008 at 5:57 am
wooo hooo, i’m signed in already!! don’t think this has happened in a couple of weeks!! good fix jayfray.
13. mitchsn - May 1st, 2008 at 6:06 am
George C Scott’s portayal of Patton has to be one of the greatest movie performances in history. Its simply stunning.
14. Phillies - May 1st, 2008 at 6:10 am
7. bucslim
It’s an Oliver Stone movie. Some leeway in terms of reality need to be applied when watching his movies (with the exception of the brilliant Platoon)
15. Phillies - May 1st, 2008 at 6:11 am
(Forgot to comment on the list, sorry!)
Gandhi is the perfect choice for number 1. Nobody in the world fits the role more perfectly than Ben Kingsley, and he nailed it spot on. Great list, o Bed-headed one
16. Kreachure - May 1st, 2008 at 6:21 am
Great list. Truly great performances. I believe all the best are indeed mentioned, so good job!
17. astraya - May 1st, 2008 at 6:38 am
There was a film called Testimony about the Russian composer Shostakovich (which I have just found starred Ben Kingsley). I read that the Stalin in that film (Terence Rigby) was so realistic that some who had lived in his time had to leave the theatre.
(I didn’t think about this during the recent “films based on composers’ lives”.)
18. Mom424 - May 1st, 2008 at 6:39 am
Wonderful List! Gotta see the Hitler one now.
I am so in agreement with your #1 pick. Ben Kingsley is awesome. He plays a psycho killer better than anyone too. Watch Sexy Beast after the history lesson.
You are correct about Hopkins portrayal of Nixon. I almost felt sorry for him - the man was so flawed. (not that he wasn’t a prick, but still)
Again - Awesome job.
19. Ari-chan - May 1st, 2008 at 6:41 am
My god I feel a little moronic here. I haven’t seen any of the movies on this list. Thank you so much for giving me a new idea for Movie Week (that’s where I pick a movie theme for the week and buy 7 movies to watch)
This gives me an idea for another list. Someone should do the top 10 film portrayals of assassins/murderers. Lili Taylor as Valerie Jean Solanas, the woman who shot Andy Warhol in the chest, is amazing. Or what about Michael Reilly Burke as Ted Bundy? Burke gave a sympathetic twist to the psychotic serial killer
Ooh or a 10 ten list of film portrayals of artists and musicians!!!
Oh my, I’m getting ahead of myself. Great list. I can’t wait to watch these movies
20. The Bed-headed Stranger - May 1st, 2008 at 6:53 am
Interesting addition of Patton. When I wrote the list, I was thinking primarily of heads of state. But it could certainly be said that Patton wielded as much power (or more) than many of them.
21. Elsa - May 1st, 2008 at 7:01 am
very nice list. Agree that Ghandi should be number one. I’d never noticed Ben Kingsley before, but after his performance, I try not to miss anything he’s in. He conveys a quiet power and is on my list of secret crushes. I know, I know………….too much information……
22. greatness - May 1st, 2008 at 7:20 am
not to be too picky or anything (and the list does get this right) but it the “Mahatma”’s name is spelt “Gandhi” as opposed to “ghandi” that listers here seem to spell it as.
even phonetically Gandhi is right and Ghandi (which I have heard a lot of people say) is wrong.
great list by the way
23. Bob - May 1st, 2008 at 7:27 am
Great list!
24. SoCalJeff - May 1st, 2008 at 7:36 am
Nice. Very Nice. I’ve seen 1 - 5. Bruno Ganz was amazing as Hitler and Forrest Whitaker as Idi Amin was downright scary (and good). I’m going to need to find #6. I like Albert Finney. Would be interesting to see him as Churchill. Finney as such a broad range of people he can play well.
25. Rene - May 1st, 2008 at 8:18 am
What about Bruce Greenwood as John F. Kennedy in Thirteen Days, the movie about the Cuban Missile Crisis?
26. warningdontreadthis - May 1st, 2008 at 8:24 am
I’m broke, but as soon as I get some money I’m checking out Ghandi. Thanks by the way Jfrater, I’ve told all my friends about listverse and we’re all junkies now.
27. JT - May 1st, 2008 at 8:26 am
This is a great list. Philip Baker Hall gave a phenomenal performance as Richard Nixon in Secret Honour but sadly, I doubt anyone has even heard of that film…
28. facekickin - May 1st, 2008 at 8:26 am
yeah dood. the sexy beast at number one. i knew coming into this list it would be that way
29. JT - May 1st, 2008 at 8:28 am
Also, anyone who likes Ben Kingsley should check out House of Sand and Fog. I didn’t think he could ever surpass his Gandhi performance, but his role as an Iranian immigrant in that film really does beat it IMO.
30. warningdontreadthis - May 1st, 2008 at 8:28 am
Great list as always Jfrater, as soon as I have some money. I’m checking out Ghandi.
Thanks for an amazing site, my friends and I are listversejunkies.
31. jfrater - May 1st, 2008 at 8:42 am
JT: thanks for mentioning the House of Sand and Fog - I haven’t seen it so I just looked it up on IMDB - I am definitely going to watch it.
warningdontreadthis: you are welcome
Thanks for sharing the site with others!
32. Jake - May 1st, 2008 at 8:49 am
Awesome list. I’d have put George C. Scott at number one and Kingsley at number two but it’s still great. And I completely agree about John Lone. He is so under appreciated in The Last Emperor it’s not even funny.
33. Blogball - May 1st, 2008 at 9:21 am
I saw The Queen a couple of months ago. What a great performance. Helen Mirren played the Queen better than the Queen herself. It’s nice that props were given to Michael Sheen as Tony Blair. I thought his performance was great as well. If there was one more spot available on this list I think he would deserve to be there.
Very good list by the way.
34. Kraeg - May 1st, 2008 at 9:47 am
Gosh - I can’t believe no one has mentioned John Wayne as Genghis Khan in The Conqueror.
Brilliant(ly stupid)
35. Tyler - May 1st, 2008 at 10:52 am
No Fat Chicks.
36. Chris - May 1st, 2008 at 11:00 am
I have only seen The Last King of Scotland, and it was an amazing film. I recommend it to everyone.
37. jfrater - May 1st, 2008 at 11:15 am
Kraeg: Perhaps he would have been mentioned if Genghis Khan was a 20th century leader? You might want to double check the title of this list
38. jfrater - May 1st, 2008 at 11:19 am
Oh - btw, do you all like the new headings on the right panel of the site?
39. Cedestra - May 1st, 2008 at 11:24 am
Yet another list to prove again that I know nothing
I need to watch more movies- I’ve taken a good chunk out of AFI’s Top 100, but here are several more to add.
Looks like a good list.
40. kiwiboi - May 1st, 2008 at 11:29 am
Perhaps he would have been mentioned if Genghis Khan was a 20th century leader?
I’m guessing he is actually referring to Genghis W. Bush; easy mistake to make
41. Mom424 - May 1st, 2008 at 11:47 am
JT; I’m in total agreement. House of Sand and Fog is terrific. Ben Kingsley excels as usual. Emotionally wrenching. Everyone go see it.
42. jfrater - May 1st, 2008 at 12:03 pm
kiwiboi: are you trying to start a fight? Oh - btw, have you voted yet? If not - get thee there! Vote Boris! We all voted today and are looking forward to the results on BBC tonight.
43. Sheena - May 1st, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I heart Bruno Ganz. To whomever said Linus Roache should be on here for his performance of Bobby Kennedy, I would counter that with the fact that is accent is caricatured at best. My mother couldn’t even sit through it because it was so bad.
44. JT - May 1st, 2008 at 12:20 pm
jfrater: I just got back from voting Boris. I hope to God he wins, otherwise I’m leaving London (although that’s not really an option since I’m going to uni in September)
45. kiwiboi - May 1st, 2008 at 12:45 pm
jfrater - yep, I’ve voted. Actually, the choices are very disappointing, in my view. As I definitely want that slimy shit Ken Livingstone out, Boris Johnson received my vote by default. And whilst Boris is a total airhead and nutjob, the alternatives are just not tenable.
Not to say I don’t find Boris to be a very jolly and entertaining chap
46. warningdontreadthis - May 1st, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Jfrater: are we talking boris as in boris Johnson?
The tall crazy blonde. I’ve seen him on hignfy a couple of times he is hilarious xD
47. deep717 - May 1st, 2008 at 12:54 pm
guys its spelled Gandhi not Ghandi…see the difference?
48. Csimmons - May 1st, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Nice list, only watched last king of scotland and Ghandi and totally agree with their places on the list
49. deep717 - May 1st, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Man! I am not getting pissed or anything but the name is spelt GandHi not GHandi.
50. ixora05 - May 1st, 2008 at 12:59 pm
totally agree with the inclusion of Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth and the placement of Ben Kingsley as Mohandas Gandhi! The film is three hours long but it doesn’t feel like you have to sit through it at all. Kingsley enthralls you from the beginning.
51. deep717 - May 1st, 2008 at 1:01 pm
spelled*
52. Blogball - May 1st, 2008 at 1:09 pm
kiwiboi & jfrater do you guys have duel citizenship? Or can anybody vote for Mayor as long as you live in London?
53. Kelsi - May 1st, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Excellent list, I think. I have seen only a few of these films however this list encourages me to see more. Oh Listverse. Ever adding films to my “must watch” list, which never seems to get any shorter while I’m at school!
54. Kreachure - May 1st, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Hey, there’s a notable omission from this list:
George W. Bush as George W. Bush in “Fahrenheit 9/11″!
Such a realistic and believable performance!
:D 
…
Sorry bout that, it was either this, or something about Ronald Reagan playing himself or something!
55. STLMO - May 1st, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Good call on Bruno Ganz as Hitler. That movie did exactly what it needed to do: show Hitler as a human monster, not some goose-stepping cartoon character or psychotic movie villain.
Showing him as the human monster he was — with willing allies — made him so much more evil and chilling.
56. kiwiboi - May 1st, 2008 at 1:29 pm
blogball - I have dual citizenship. I don’t think jfrater does, but he certainly qualifies on grounds of ancestry and could probably apply if he wanted to. There’s also a tenure requirement (length of time resident in the UK).
From memory, even without citizenship, Commonwealth citizens resident in Britain can vote (both municipal and government). As for the Mayoral vote…actually, I’m not sure what the requirements are, other than being a minimum 18 years old (and jfrater and myself just manage to meet this one!)
57. kiwiboi - May 1st, 2008 at 1:32 pm
George W. Bush as George W. Bush in “Fahrenheit 9/11″!
Kreachure - good call !!
58. Blogball - May 1st, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Thanks for the info kiwiboi. I was curious what the requirements were on the other side of the pond.
59. jfrater - May 1st, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I just want to say (in confirmation of what kiwiboi said) that today I voted in the London Mayoral election. I won’t say who I voted for - but I will say that I voted for change
60. kiwiboi - May 1st, 2008 at 2:21 pm
jfrater - you said “Vote Boris!” above
61. kiwiboi - May 1st, 2008 at 2:22 pm
blogball - no prob.
62. Dana - May 1st, 2008 at 2:30 pm
The Queen was awesome. Some of the others, especially the one about Hitler, I’ve never seen, but since I’ve recently signed up with Netflix…
63. Mom424 - May 1st, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Jfrater, Kiwiboi, JT; You guys are going to end up with the UK version of Mel Lastman. (Mayor of Toronto for many years)He was a nut job (talked about being afraid visiting New Guinea, gonna get boiled by the natives), but he was effective. Entertaining, embarrassing, but effective.
64. Mom424 - May 1st, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Mind you, he was also a successful business man for years before he way mayor - not a spoiled toff. So maybe not quite the same.
65. goof_ball - May 1st, 2008 at 4:08 pm
hhmm, interesting
66. astraya - May 1st, 2008 at 4:10 pm
“kraeg: Perhaps he would have been mentioned if Genghis Khan was a 20th century leader?
kiwiboi: I’m guessing he is actually referring to Genghis W. Bush; easy mistake to make ”
lol
Here’s my attempt:
What’s the difference between Genghis Khan and George W Bush?
One devastated large portions of the middle east. The other was a Mongol warrior.
(Ducks for cover)
67. Mom424 - May 1st, 2008 at 4:26 pm
astraya; lol very good. Go post it over on the joke list too.
68. jfrater - May 1st, 2008 at 4:36 pm
kiwiboi - oops, I should review my comments more thoroughly! I voted boris but he is not my preferred candidate - but he is most likely to beat ken so I voted for him just to enact change. My favorite candidate got my second vote though
69. jfrater - May 1st, 2008 at 4:40 pm
jt- I am leaving London anyway, but I voted for all you guys who are staying
let’s hope the big blonde wins!
70. cheese - May 1st, 2008 at 6:06 pm
ghandi is a great film.. it is also incredible to see ben kingsly’s transformation.
also, der untergang.. another brilliant film.
thanks
great list.
71. Phillies - May 1st, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Anymore, Der Untergang is useful for internet parodies. When someone does horrible, or has a horrible mishap occur to them, insert them into the scene of Hitler yelling and screaming at his men.
My favorite is where Hitler is a Cowboys fan, and he’s screaming about the Giants beating them in the playoffs last year. Sadly, it seems the vid is not on youtube anymore
Still one of my favorite vids though!
72. sidvish - May 1st, 2008 at 6:42 pm
tsk tsk…. the only reason everyone knows ghandi as the mahatma was because of this movie…”Ghandi” the movie that was pretty much a paid advertisement from India to spread the false image of Ghandi as the Mahatma (Great Soul, equivilent to the Christian “saint”). ghandi was a racist and delayed India’s independance by 20 years due to his stubborness. I could go on but look it up yourself……
73. Spinner - May 1st, 2008 at 7:19 pm
sidvish: Martin Luther King talked about Gandi a lot in the 50’s and 60’s civil rights movement in the US… he didnt wait to see the film, the impatient fink.
Great list, I havent seen Munich but I’m keen to now.
74. Diogenes - May 1st, 2008 at 7:25 pm
A seemingly boring sounding list made good, by a very well written thought process.
Gotta love Gandhi. And Sir Kingsley (he’s knighted isn’t he?) I believe he’s set to star in the next Cannonball Run movie with Chris Kattan (from Saturdaynight Live fame)…at least thats what IMDB states as being in prost-production later this year. Really .
no, not so..sit back down
I haven’t seen Forrest Whitaker as Idi Amin, but I did see Idi Amin as his moviestar self in the Barbet Schroeder’s documentary.
Ganz is Great/ Hitler was horrible. The Fall was Good. The Third Reich was ,well you know..
Nixon nix nix nixon, I haven’t seen it. I kinda lost interest with Sir Hopkins(he’s knighted too right?) when he made this one and was all in everybodies face with films and prestige and attention….but none the less, I would love to have a drink with the man…Hell, either of them.You know, talk as reguliar Joes….then maybe armwrestle or something. or show off tatoos.
75. Diogenes - May 1st, 2008 at 7:33 pm
sidvish: well if your going to say that sorta stuff, maybe you should back it up, because all you have to do is look him up in IMDB and see he atrs with Sir Eddie Murphy and Kattan in the CannonBalls movie
76. Diogenes - May 1st, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I am sure you know that I meant “stars” and not “atrs”.
77. ChrisG - May 1st, 2008 at 7:41 pm
There was a miniseries on TV a few years ago with Hitler played by Robert Carlyle (vying with Rhys Ifans for the title of Britain’s most manic actor), and I thought he did the most amazing job. He was perfect in his venomous intensity, even in his more subdued moments. Carlyle portrayed a younger Hitler, during his rise to power, so of course now I have to see Bruno Ganz’s portrayal of the man at the other end of his ignominious career.
All the other performances here I’ve seen and agree that they are brilliant, although Patton is a personal favourite.
78. chandramouli - May 1st, 2008 at 11:15 pm
what about Charlie Chaplin in ‘The Great Dictator’ ?
Sorry if this is repeated coz i didn’t go thru all the comments.
79. sue - May 1st, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Great list,I especially loved Helen Mirren and Forrest Whitakers performances.I’d love to see Gandhi too.
80. sidvish - May 2nd, 2008 at 12:01 am
spinner: diogenes: maybe MLK jr would have not mentioned him if he had known that Ghandi fought against segregation in South Africa only because his people were treated the same as blacks. Ghandi was all for the oppression of blacks and other colored people. just not the upper-caste Hindu Indians like himself. Sure Ghandi preached peace and blah blah, but to call him a Mahatma(saint)when he was clearly a bigot is just reckless.
81. Kraeg - May 2nd, 2008 at 10:06 am
jfrater: red faced. I keep thinking i’m clever.
82. BishopWhiteT - May 2nd, 2008 at 10:36 am
here is the link to the Hitler/Cowboys parody. Awesome stuff!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vYu68SHWh64
83. Dawn Bearer - May 2nd, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Great List, my top 3 are
1-Bruno Ganz as Adolf Hitler
2-Forrest Whitaker as Idi Amin
3-Ben Kingsley as Mahatma Gandhi
also a great portrayel, imho, that wasn’t mentiond here, Robart Duvall as Josef Stalin in “Stalin”
84. Spinner - May 2nd, 2008 at 5:19 pm
sidvish: sounds interesting sid, cite your source and I’ll go read up a bit more.
85. sidvish - May 2nd, 2008 at 6:52 pm
spinner: Ghandi Behind the Mask of Divinity by Col. G.B Singh published in 2004. I also recommend Penn & Teller’s Bullshit! episode 5 season 3: Holier Than Thou. i think it might still be on youtube.
86. warningdontreadthis - May 3rd, 2008 at 7:23 am
Boris won! xD
87. jfrater - May 3rd, 2008 at 7:28 am
warningdontreadthis: yay! I was very pleased last night when I heard the news
88. Decypha - May 4th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I’m glad Idi Amin is here… Forest Whitaker played the part so well that at the end of the movie, when they showed a picture of the real Idi Amin, most of us watching that DVD wondered who he is and what he has to do with the movie… till it sunk in a few minutes later…
89. TonyBrooklyn - May 5th, 2008 at 7:15 am
I always thought Dick Shawn’s performance of Hitler in The Producers was great. See it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K08akOt2kuo
90. Marco - May 6th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Good list. Always possible to discuss the actual order, but the really great peformances are in there. In Der Untergang I found Ulrich Matthes’ portrayal of Joseph Goebbels disconcerting too, but it’s nearly impossible to top Bruno Ganz’s performance in that movie.
91. Drogo - May 8th, 2008 at 3:29 am
Who would play Boris Johnson in a movie? A photo of Johnson made me think of Gary Busey, but Busey is too old.
92. Mark - June 1st, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Ben Kingsley looks more like Gandhi than Gandhi himself did XD
93. T$ - June 7th, 2008 at 5:50 am
I think this is a great list, however I would consider including Malcolm X (Denzel Washington). Malcolm X would be considered a leader, and that movie rocked.
94. Ro - July 13th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
I just watched the The Last King of Scotland today. I was planning to watch it ever since I saw this list, and I must say
I’m satisfied. Great film and even a better potrayal.
95. Spanner in the worksj - July 13th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Just wanted to say how much I agree about ‘The Last King of Scotland’. Saw it as one of FOUR good films on an airline flight a year ago (no sleep for the wicked that night!). Just had to buy it on DVD. Likewise ‘The Queen’. As a Brit I haven’t much to cheer these days in sport, but Helen Mirren, Judy Dench and others, to mention just two of the actor ladies alone … Ah. This is a fine list. Those we haven’t seen we must, by hook or crook (among a category that perhaps each of us needs personally unless we are a professional film reviewer or similar: ‘1000 films to see before you die THAT YOU HAVEN’T YET SEEN’).