Rest in Peace John Hurt: Top Ten Performances from a Lifetime of Greatness

John Hurt in 1984

I don’t know where to start today. We lost John Hurt this week but in the chaos the president has created with one executive order after another, the news about Hurt’s death came almost as just another tweet in a tweet storm of outrage. 

He wasn’t a young man but at seventy seven the actor with over 200 acting credits was still working. Hurt who appears in this year’s Jackie as a priest has several projects in post production, including Darkest Hours, a Joe Wright directed film in John Hurt plays Neville Chamberlain with Ben Mendelsohn and Gary Oldman. 

Midnight Express

While younger people know him as the wand-selling Ollivander in the Harry Potter movies, many of us are old enough to have seen him in Midnight Express back in 1979 when he was, like we were, young. Nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar—Christopher Walken in Deer Hunter won—Hurt won both the Golden Globe and the BAFTA that year. 

V for Vendetta, I Claudius, Dr. Who, Alien, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, 1984, the man with the smooth as silk voice is probably most widely known for playing John Merrick in The Elephant Man. Hurt received a Best Actor Oscar nomination but “lost’’ to Robert DiNero for Raging Bull. I only mention the wins and losses as a reminder of the false importance we place on awards. Time is the only true test of greatness and John Hurt’s long career spanning over 50 years is a testament to his. 

V for Vendetta

I found a tribute video made a couple of years back by mojo.com. A look at John Hurt’s Top Ten Performances. I thought you might like to take a gander. 

The Elephant Man was nominated for 8 Oscars in all. 

No, it didn’t ‘‘win” any.

Here’s the trailer for The Elephant Man. 
Which movie has your vote for Saturday Matinee?