Best In Role

Some literary and cinematic characters are so solid that they keep getting revisited time and again (with varying levels of success.)

Here is my list of what I consider to be the best portrayals of some of these iconic roles.

Sherlock Holmes Jeremy Brett This is by the far the toughest one. Benedict Cumberbatch, Johnny Lee Miller, Basil Rathbone, etc etc have all done masterful work as the world's greatest detective. But Brett embodies the most important element of Holmes: he's an antisocial weirdo. Brett's odd facial expressions, sudden outbursts and grouchy disposition suit the character beautifully. Side note: Martin Freeman is my favorite Watson.

Captain Bligh Charles Laughton Trevor Howard and Anthony Hopkins both did a great job with their own unique takes portraying the captain of The Bounty. But Laughton made the character unbearable. And his arrogance and defiance when set adrift in the lifeboat is perfection.

Bruce Wayne Christian Bale I don't know if Bale is the best Batman...not sure we've even seen that yet. But as Bruce Wayne, it's hard to top Bale. He really seems like a tortured, obsessed guy. And he played the vapid rich jerk part very well.

Superman Christopher Reeve No contest. Christopher Reeve was the living embodiment of Superman straight off the page.

Mr. Darcy Colin Firth Many wonderful actors have tackled this role, but no-one captured Fitzwilliam Darcy so naturally as Firth. And the 1995 miniseries is the definitive Pride and Prejudice.

Robin Hood Errol Flynn It was a tough decision between Flynn and Kevin Costner. Just kidding.

Jedi Ewan McGregor With deference to Liam Neeson, Alec Guinness and Samuel L. Jackson - McGregor embodies what I expect a Jedi to be. He's elegant, poised, daring, focused. And not a whiny teenager.

Kenneth Branagh Hamlet I don't know which role has been played by more characters...Sherlock Holmes or Hamlet (or The Doctor.) Sometimes Hamlet is portrayed in a hammy, over-the-top fashion. Sometimes it's a modern, abstract take. But Branagh's portrayal just seems real. And the movie itself is by far the best portrayal of the world's most famous play ever filmed.

Marlon Brando Fletcher Christian Being the greatest actor of all time, Brando's portrayal of (fill in the blank) is probably the best. But I especially like his take on Mr. Christian. In the beginning of the movie he's a bit of a selfish fop. But he starts to evolve as a person when he sees the mistreatment of his shipmates and fully blooms as a human being in Tahiti.

Musketeer Oliver Reed There have been numerous versions of The Three Musketeers and countless portrayals of each musketeer. But Reed's performance as Athos in the 1973 film is perfection. Oliver Reed was a force of nature - his performances in The Devils and as Bill Sikes in Oliver! are disturbing and unforgettable.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a beer enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.