A Tribute to the greatest living actor, Peter O'Toole
by chaseninc | created - 09 Feb 2013 | updated - 10 Feb 2013 | PublicAt 80, the last screen idol and world's greatest living actor is retiring. Do not miss these classic films! 8 Academy Award Nominations and winner of a Lifetime Special Achievement Oscar, as well as countless other awards.
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1. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Approved | 218 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
The story of T.E. Lawrence, the English officer who successfully united and led the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes during World War I in order to fight the Turks.
Director: David Lean | Stars: Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins
Votes: 314,329 | Gross: $44.82M
O'Tooles first starring role earned him an AA nomination.
2. Becket (1964)
PG-13 | 148 min | Biography, Drama, History
King Henry II of England comes to terms with his affection for his close friend and confidant Thomas Becket, who finds his true honor by observing God's divine will rather than the King's.
Director: Peter Glenville | Stars: Richard Burton, Peter O'Toole, John Gielgud, Gino Cervi
Votes: 15,839
O'Toole and Richard Burton rip up the screen in this masterpiece. Both were nominated for an AA for best actor.
3. The Lion in Winter (1968)
PG | 134 min | Biography, Drama, History
1183 A.D.: King Henry II's three sons all want to inherit the throne, but he won't commit to a choice. When he allows his imprisoned wife Eleanor of Aquitaine out for a Christmas visit, they all variously plot to force him into a decision.
Director: Anthony Harvey | Stars: Peter O'Toole, Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins, John Castle
Votes: 34,209 | Gross: $22.28M
O'Toole stars with Katharine Hepburn (my friend & co-worker for 20 years). Pure genius! Look for a very young Anthony Hopkins,Timothy Dalton and John Castle. O'Toole and Hepburn were nominated for Academy Awards. Hepburn won her 3rd of 4.
4. What's New Pussycat (1965)
Approved | 108 min | Comedy
A playboy who refuses to give up his hedonistic lifestyle to settle down and marry his true love seeks help from a demented psychoanalyst who is having romantic problems of his own.
Director: Clive Donner | Stars: Peter Sellers, Peter O'Toole, Romy Schneider, Capucine
Votes: 11,060 | Gross: $18.82M
Woody Allen's first film stars O'Toole,Peter Sellars and Woody Allen. One of the funniest and insane movies of all time!! Richard Burton makes a cameo and the film is loaded with stars.
5. Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969)
G | 155 min | Drama, Musical, Romance
A shy, withdrawn English schoolteacher falls for a flashy showgirl.
Director: Herbert Ross | Stars: Peter O'Toole, Petula Clark, Michael Redgrave, George Baker
Votes: 3,824 | Gross: $2.55M
The best version of this story. Another AA nomination for O'Toole.
6. Man of La Mancha (1972)
PG | 132 min | Drama, Fantasy, Musical
The funny story of mad but kind and chivalrous elderly nobleman Don Quixote who, aided by his squire Sancho Panza, fights windmills that are seen as dragons to save prostitute Dulcinea who is seen as a noblewoman.
Director: Arthur Hiller | Stars: Peter O'Toole, Sophia Loren, James Coco, Harry Andrews
Votes: 4,767 | Gross: $3.79M
O'Toole plays my favorite literary character so brilliantly that it is mind boggling. My friend acting legend Richard Kiley owned the Broadway musical and wanted to play the title character, but the film company wanted the bigger star. O'Toole's singing is on key, but pales in comparison to Kiley on such legendary songs as "The Impossible Dream". Sophia Loren and the entire cast is sublime.
7. The Ruling Class (1972)
PG | 154 min | Comedy, Drama, Musical
A member of the House of Lords dies, leaving his estate to his son. Unfortunately, his son thinks he is Jesus Christ. Their other, somewhat more respectable family members plot to steal the estate from him; murder and mayhem ensue.
Director: Peter Medak | Stars: Peter O'Toole, Alastair Sim, Arthur Lowe, Hugh Owens
Votes: 6,804
A brilliant commentary on the upper class and possibly O'Toole's most challenging role. A very black comedy and not for children. Peter is mind blowing and his performance earned him another AA Nomination. Jack the Ripper fans will see the only monumental "Jack" performance in film history (though this is not the actual "Ripper" of 1888). Peter also tackles Jesus in this classic.
8. The Stunt Man (1980)
R | 131 min | Action, Comedy, Drama
A fugitive stumbles onto a movie set just when they need a new stunt man, takes the job as a way to hide out and falls for the leading lady while facing off with his manipulative director.
Director: Richard Rush | Stars: Peter O'Toole, Steve Railsback, Barbara Hershey, Allen Garfield
Votes: 10,456 | Gross: $7.06M
One of the greatest films ever made, period! O'Toole brings you inside movie making. But what is the movie and what is real? Don't get lost! Another AA nomination for Peter.
9. My Favorite Year (1982)
PG | 92 min | Comedy, Drama
An aging, dissolute matinee idol is slated to appear on a live TV variety show in 1954, and a young comedy writer is tasked with the thankless job of keeping him ready and sober for the broadcast.
Director: Richard Benjamin | Stars: Peter O'Toole, Mark Linn-Baker, Jessica Harper, Joseph Bologna
Votes: 10,487 | Gross: $20.12M
A film based on Errol Flynn appearing on "Your show of shows". One of the best comedies ever made! Yet another well deserved AA Nomination for O'Toole!
10. Creator (1985)
R | 107 min | Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi
An eccentric scientist teaches a student in his own manner while he looks for a way to clone his deceased wife.
Director: Ivan Passer | Stars: Peter O'Toole, Mariel Hemingway, Vincent Spano, Virginia Madsen
Votes: 3,510 | Gross: $5.35M
One of the most under rated O'Toole films. Beyond funny, Very Romantic and very unique. Vincent Spano (Rumble Fish), and Virginia Madsen co-star.
11. High Spirits (1988)
PG-13 | 99 min | Comedy, Fantasy
When a hotelier attempts to fill the chronic vacancies at his castle by launching an advertising campaign that falsely portrays the property as haunted, two actual ghosts show up and end up falling for two guests.
Director: Neil Jordan | Stars: Peter O'Toole, Daryl Hannah, Steve Guttenberg, Donal McCann
Votes: 10,681 | Gross: $8.58M
An all round fun film. Ghosts, Romance and Comedy. All star cast.
12. The Last Emperor (1987)
PG-13 | 163 min | Biography, Drama, History
Bernardo Bertolucci's Oscar-winning dramatisation of the life story of China's last emperor, Pu Yi.
Director: Bernardo Bertolucci | Stars: John Lone, Joan Chen, Peter O'Toole, Ruocheng Ying
Votes: 111,503 | Gross: $43.98M
Almost 1 hour of O'Toole's performance was edited out, but there is more than enough Peter and with a great film here it is a must see.
13. Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell (1999 TV Movie)
90 min | Comedy, Drama
Peter O'Toole stars as the complex, funny, charming, and hard-drinking Jeffrey Bernard in this live performance at the Old Vic Theatre in London.
Directors: Tom Kinninmont, Peter O'Toole | Stars: Peter O'Toole, Timothy Ackroyd, Sarah Berger, Annabel Leventon
Votes: 266
Pure comic genius from this filmed one man show. If it had met the guidelines, this would have garnered O'Toole an AA Nomination. A rare gem of a play and a must see!
14. The Final Curtain (2002)
R | 85 min | Drama
A rivalry develops between a showbiz veteran and an upstart newcomer.
Director: Patrick Harkins | Stars: Aidan Gillen, Adrian Lester, Peter O'Toole, Iain Rogerson
Votes: 599
A gem of a film that can only be purchased on region 2 DVD. A little known O'Toole film that is superb and cannot be missed.
15. Masada (1981)
394 min | Action, Drama, History
After the destruction of the Second Temple, nine hundred Jewish zealots hold out against a five thousand man Roman legion on the mountaintop fortress of Masada.
Stars: Peter O'Toole, Peter Strauss, Barbara Carrera, Alan Feinstein
Votes: 2,437
O'Toole gives a stellar performance in this historical epic. Great cast and top notch mini-series.
16. Dean Spanley (2008)
PG | 100 min | Comedy, Drama
Set in Edwardian England where upper lips are always stiff and men from the Colonies are not entirely to be trusted, Fisk Senior has little time or affection for his son, but when the pair visit an eccentric Indian, they start a strange journey that eventually allows the old man to find his heart.
Director: Toa Fraser | Stars: Jeremy Northam, Sam Neill, Bryan Brown, Peter O'Toole
Votes: 3,823
Incredible film with O'Toole at his very best. Laugh out loud and totally unique! Peter O'Toole is the most nominated actor in history with 8 and a special lifetime achievement award from the academy. I recommend seeing every one of his movies.
17. Venus (I) (2006)
R | 95 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Life for a pair of veteran actors gets turned upside down after they meet a brash teenager.
Director: Roger Michell | Stars: Peter O'Toole, Jodie Whittaker, Leslie Phillips, Beatrice Savoretti
Votes: 13,411 | Gross: $3.34M
Peter's 8th and final Oscar nomination, just 2 years after an AA Lifetime Achievement Award. This is a very sad film and a masterwork. O'Toole is unbelievable. A very unique film.
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