Richard Attenborough's Top 10 Essential Movie Performances

Richard Attenborough was one of the most celebrated British actors and directors of the 20th century. Known for his diverse range and memorable character portrayals, Attenborough delivered many compelling and unforgettable performances throughout his prolific career spanning over six decades.

From sympathetic everymen to chilling villains, Attenborough brought nuance and complexity to each role. His natural charm and gravitas also enabled him to effectively transition between commercial Hollywood features and thought-provoking art house films.

Here is a look at 10 of Richard Attenborough's most essential movie performances that showcase his phenomenal acting skills:

1. Brighton Rock (1947)

In one of his earliest starring roles, Attenborough delivered a chilling and sinister performance as Pinkie Brown, a teenage gang leader in this British noir thriller. Set in the seedy criminal underworld of 1930s Brighton, Attenborough's Pinkie is a callous young sociopath who will stop at nothing to increase his power and influence.

Attenborough portrays Pinkie with a palpable menace and volatility underneath a veneer of boyish innocence. The actor uses subtle gestures and expressions to convey Pinkie's twisted psychology and bottled rage. Attenborough makes Pinkie a complex villain, eliciting both revulsion and pathos from the audience. His electrifying performance remains one of his most memorable early roles.

2. The Great Escape (1963)

In this POW adventure classic, Attenborough played RAF Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett aka "Big X", the mastermind behind an ambitious escape plan by Allied prisoners from a German camp during World War II. As Bartlett, Attenborough delivers a steady, authoritative performance befitting of a natural leader who commands respect.

He portrays Bartlett as a quick-thinking and resourceful officer who carefully strategizes every detail of the escape plan. Attenborough deftly balances Bartlett's calm exterior with the high stakes of the daring mission. His inspiring performance as this heroic leader is considered one of Attenborough's most famous roles.

3. Guns at Batasi (1964)

Set in a remote African outpost during colonial times, Attenborough stars as Captain John Gregory, an idealistic British regimental officer who finds himself caught in the middle of a standoff between African troops and British soldiers.

As Captain Gregory, Attenborough humanizes the British colonial perspective through a nuanced performance marked by compassion, loyalty, and principle. He delivers an understated yet powerful portrayal of a decent man navigating complex moral terrain. Attenborough's thoughtful performance provides the film's moral core.

4. Séance on a Wet Afternoon (1964)

This British psychological thriller saw Attenborough take on the role of Bill Savage, an weak-willed man dominated by his scheming psychic medium wife Myra (Kim Stanley). Attenborough chillingly depicts Savage as a pathetic, emotionally fragile man desperate to indulge his wife's twisted whims, including kidnapping a child in a botched blackmail plot.

With his deadened stare and passive body language, Attenborough creates an unsettling portrait of a broken man totally under his wife's control. His haunting performance highlighted his ability to disappear completely into more subdued roles.

5. The Flight of the Phoenix (1965)

In this survival drama, Attenborough plays Lewis Towns, one of several plane crash survivors stranded in the Sahara desert who attempt to build a new aircraft from the wreckage. As Towns, Attenborough delivers a superb performance as a resilient, quick-witted airplane designer who spearheads the group's escape plan.

Attenborough convincingly portrays Towns' expertise and resourcefulness, providing practical leadership and moral support to the desperate group. His charismatic performance is considered one of the film's highlights.

6. The Sand Pebbles (1966)

Set during China's 1920s civil war, Attenborough stars as machinist Jake Holman aboard a US Navy gunboat patrolling China's Yangtze river. Attenborough earned a Golden Globe nomination for his powerful performance as the cynical, independent-minded Holman who challenges the Navy's neutral policies in China.

Attenborough instills Holman with a deep humanity and empathy as he is transformed by the events around him. His emotional yet stoic performance drives this epic war drama and remains one of Attenborough's finest acting achievements.

7. Doctor Dolittle (1967)

In a rare musical role, Attenborough portrayed the famed veterinarian Doctor Dolittle opposite Rex Harrison's title role. As young naturalist Matthew Mugg, Attenborough delivered a charming and earnest performance amid the fantastical town of Puddleby-On-The-Marsh.

Attenborough's wide-eyed wonder and enthusiasm provides the perfect foil to Rex Harrison's kooky Dolittle. His energetic performance demonstrated his versatility as a song-and-dance man.

8. 10 Rillington Place (1971)

Arguably Attenborough's most chilling performance was his terrifying portrayal of British serial killer John Christie in this disturbing true crime drama. As Christie, Attenborough is almost unrecognizable - depicting the bespectacled, unassuming Christie as an ordinary man masking the mind of a dangerous psychopath.

Attenborough's disconnected gaze and unsettlingly muted disposition creates bone-chilling scenes as Christie lures his unsuspecting victims to their death. His remarkably realistic performance earned him numerous accolades and remains one of his most acclaimed roles.

9. Jurassic Park (1993)

As park creator John Hammond in Steven Spielberg's sci-fi blockbuster, Attenborough added a sense of genuine wonder and enthusiasm to the visually groundbreaking film. Although a supporting role, Attenborough's emotional portrayal of Hammond's grand ambitions leaps off the screen.

Attenborough also adds heart and humanity to Hammond as he grapples with the dangerous consequences of bringing dinosaurs back to life. His passionate performance makes Hammond a truly memorable character.

10. The Chess Players (1977)

Attenborough played General Outram, a ruthless British officer posted to India during the 19th century. His commanding and sinister performance highlighted the colonial ambitions and hypocrisies of the British Raj.

Conclusion

Richard Attenborough delivered a staggering range of unforgettable performances that underscored his reputation as one of Britain's foremost acting talents. Whether disappearing into sinister villains or leading with inspirational strength, Attenborough brought honesty and empathy to every character.

His natural magnetism and technical virtuosity made him equally effective in thrilling adventure epics as in chilling psychological dramas. Attenborough raised the quality of every film through his commitment to finding each role's humanity.

To explore the other monumental achievements of Attenborough's career, don't miss our overview of Richard Attenborough's Top 10 Essential Films as a Director. This companion piece highlights the groundbreaking movies he helmed that spoke to thought-provoking social issues and pushed creative boundaries.

Taken together, these definitive guides illustrate Richard Attenborough's enduring legacy as both a world-class actor and an influential director who redefined cinema. Discover his most essential contributions through these in-depth profiles charting a remarkable six-decade career.