Summary
The English actor and directorLaurence Olivierwas one of the most acclaimed actors of the 20th century who had countless incredible roles across many different genres. While much of Olivier’s most renowned work was as a Shakespearean actor in some of the greatest tragedies ever produced, he’s also excelled in murder mysteries, romances, and thrillers. From his knighthood to his endless awards, including 11 Academy Award nominations and two Oscar wins, Olivier’s career was one categorized by impressive accolades and intensely memorable performances.
Olivier has consistently been written about as amongthe greatest actors of all time, as his acclaimed film roles in beloved 1940s classics likeWuthering HeightsandRebeccabrought depth, pathos, and a sense of theatricality to Hollywood. In his later years,Olivier continued to push the boundaries of his art form as he took up challenging roleswith directors like Stanley Kubrick and in popular thrillers such asMarathon Man. With an unmatched legacy, Olivier was truly one of the all-time greats.
Othello
Cast
Othello (1965) is a film directed by Stuart Burge, based on William Shakespeare’s tragic play. Laurence Olivier stars as Othello, the Moor of Venice, while Maggie Smith portrays Desdemona and Frank Finlay plays Iago, the scheming ensign. The film focuses on themes of jealousy, betrayal, and racism, closely following the original text’s language and plot. Olivier delivers a powerful performance in this classic adaptation.
Laurence Olivier was among the greatest Shakespearean actors cinema has ever seen, and his take onOthellowas one of his crowning achievements, although it was not without controversy. As a tragedy of sexual jealousy about an African general in the Venetian army who is tricked into suspecting his wife of adultery, this was a unique Shakespearean story in its depiction of race. In the years since its release, Olivier’s portrayal of Othello has only become more contentious as the white English actor portrayed the African lead character in full blackface.
While the backlash against Olivier’sOthellohas led to calls to try to censor the film (viaTelegraph), it’s also an important time capsule regarding how perceptions of what’s acceptable on screen have changed over the past nearly 60 years. However, when viewed outside of the controversies surrounding it, what’s left was the most powerful onscreen depiction ofOthello,which captured the essence of the stage production. As a testament to the exceptional performances, all the film’s main stars, including Olivier, Maggie Smith, Joyce Redman, and Frank Finlay, received Oscar nominations.
The Boys from Brazil
The Boys from Brazil is a 1978 thriller directed by Franklin J. Schaffner. Starring Gregory Peck and Laurence Olivier, the film follows a Nazi hunter who uncovers a sinister plot involving the cloning of Adolf Hitler. Adapted from Ira Levin’s novel, the story explores themes of identity and ethics amidst a backdrop of post-World War II tensions.
The Boys from Brazilwas anexcellent 1970s thrillerthat saw Laurence Olivier play the famous, albeit cynical and penniless Nazi hunter Ezra Liberman, who must help stop a bizarre and sinister plot to revive the Third Reich. With Gregory Peck as the fugitive Nazi Dr. Josef Mengele,The Boys from Brazilboasted a high-caliber cast as it addressed fears around the rise of fascism. WhileOlivier gave a fantastic performance as Liberman, it must be admitted that he was vastly overshadowed by Peck’s astounding portrayal of Mengele, who was simultaneously cruel and wicked while remaining intensely charismatic.
Story elements included controlling genetics and plans to clone multiple versions of Adolf Hitler. AlthoughThe Boysfrom Brazilmay look outlandish on paper, everything came together to form a cohesive whole. As an engaging mystery highlighted the ever-present fears around Nazi-like thought and the exploitation of politics for the purpose of evil, there was a lot of depth and intrigue in this unusual story. Olivier received his eleventh and final Oscar nomination for his role inThe Boys from Brazil.
Carrie
Carrie is a 1952 drama film directed by William Wyler, based on Theodore Dreiser’s novel Sister Carrie. The film stars Jennifer Jones as Carrie Meeber, a young woman who moves to Chicago in search of a better life. She becomes involved with a middle-aged restauranteur played by Laurence Olivier. The narrative explores themes of ambition, societal pressures, and the search for identity in turn-of-the-century America.
WhileCarriewas far different from the later Stephen King story it shared its name with, this 1950s romantic drama also featured a young girl whose life was turned on its head due to the deceit of those around her. As a highly melodramatic adaptation of the novelSister Carrieby Theodore Dreiser, Laurence Olivier played a high-society man willing to risk everything for the love of a young woman named Carrie, played by Jennifer Jones. For Olivier’s George Hurstwood, courting the love of Carrie overtook the importance of everything else in his life, including his family, money, and social status.
Olivier’s portrayal of Hurstwood just might be the most tragic he ever put to the screen, as his character allowed his midlife crisis and pining for a young woman to disseminate his life as he’s left with nothing. It’s hard as a viewer not to relate Olivier’s performance here to his own crumbling marriage to Vivian Leigh, a relationship beset with affairs, controversies, and eventually divorce in 1960 (viaHarper’s Bazaar.) As an intensely cruel romance,Carriewas made even more effective due to the presence of an actor of Olivier’s caliber.
The Entertainer
The Entertainer is a 1960 film directed by Tony Richardson, starring Laurence Olivier as Archie Rice, a struggling, disillusioned music hall performer. The story, adapted from John Osborne’s play, follows Rice’s attempts to revive his fading career amid personal and familial turmoil. Set against the backdrop of post-war Britain, the film captures the decline of music hall entertainment and the complexities of Rice’s tumultuous life. Brenda De Banzie and Albert Finney also star.
Olivier was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor for his excellent portrayal of Archie Rice in the kitchen sink dramaThe Entertainer. Olivier played a down-and-out music hall performer who faced personal troubles as his professional career fell apart due to the dwindling popularity of the music hall tradition during the mid-1950s. Unusually for the time, Olivier maintained the role of Archie Rice from the original stage production by British playwright John Osborne, who he had first played to great acclaim in 1957.
The Entertainerwas a devastatingly bitter film as Archie took out the frustrations of his professional failings on his wife Phoebe, played by the iconic British actress Brenda de Banzie. As a powerful character study about an angry middle-aged man,The Entertainercaptured the tragedy at the heart of someone living for a dream that’s increasingly out of their reach. As a look at the post-WWII decline in Britain,The Entertainerhad a lot to say about personal struggles as well as social and political circumstances during this era.
Marathon Man
After the murder of his older brother, a New York history student is hounded by shadowy government agents on the trail of a Nazi war criminal who is trying to retrieve smuggled diamonds.
As one ofthe best Dustin Hoffman movies, it was great to see the actor playing opposite such an acclaimed legend of stage and screen as Laurence Olivier inMarathon Man. With a story about an avid runner who became entangled in a complex web of espionage, Olivier brought a menacing air to his psychotic role of Dr. Christian Szell, a sinister dentist and Nazi war criminal determined to extract a cache of smuggled conflict diamonds. As one of the best thrillers of the 1970s,Marathon Mansaw two major actors of their generations coming together.
However, the juxtaposition between Hoffman’s method acting style and Olivier’s more traditional approach led to an often quoted exchange between the two performances where, after Hoffman had been awake for days, Olivier asked him: “My dear boy, why don’t you just try acting?” (viaThe Guardian.) With their opposing styles in mind, it was incredible to see how well Olivier and Hoffman’s man played off each other as the sinister nature of Szell contrasted with Hoffman’s intense paranoia.
Spartacus
Spartacus is a historical drama directed by Stanley Kubrick, starring Kirk Douglas as Spartacus, a slave-turned-rebel leading an uprising against the Roman Empire. Released in 1960, the film features Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, and Tony Curtis in supporting roles. It portrays Spartacus’s journey from enslavement to becoming a symbol of resistance.
As one of cinema’s most notable historical epics, the swords and sandals classicSpartacussaw Laurence Olivier working with directing legend Stanley Kubrick. Olivier played the wealthy Roman senator Marcus Licinius Crassus, who aimed to become the dictator of Rome, opposite Kirk Douglas as the escaped slave and gladiator Spartacus. As the highest-grossing film of 1960,Spartacuswas a major success and one of the most impressive cinematic spectacles ever released up to this point.
Spartacuswas a powerful epic story that not only pushed the boundaries of modern filmmaking but also powerfully dealt with political and religious themes. This made sense, consideringSpartacus’screenwriter was the later blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo, who would receive scrutiny in Hollywood for his alleged Communist associations. As an effective film with far more to say than its over-the-top battle sequences suggested,Spartacuswas a highlight of Olivier’s Hollywood career.
Wuthering Heights
Wuthering Heights is a 1939 film adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel directed by William Wyler. Starring Laurence Olivier as Heathcliff and Merle Oberon as Cathy, the film explores the tumultuous and passionate relationship between the characters, set against the bleak Yorkshire moors. The film delves into themes of love, revenge, and social class, bringing to life the timeless and tragic story with exceptional performances and atmospheric cinematography.
Laurence Olivier gained his first Academy Award nomination for his quintessential role of Heathcliffe inWuthering Heights. This adaptation of the Emily Brontë story dismissed many essential chapters from the beloved 1847 novel, but Olivier still managed to capture the unique and allure essence of Heathcliff’s character. While it may have been an abridged version of the story,Wuthering Heightsmaintained the grim drama of the bookand Heathcliff and Cathy’s doomed love story.
William Wyler’s version ofWuthering Heightsshowcased Olivier’s potential as a leading man capable of embodying some of literature’s most iconic characters. Through his charismatic portrayal of Heathcliff, Olivier transferred his innate skill as a stage actor to the screen and proved his ability to work in both mediums. WhileWuthering Heights’differences from its source material and omissions of important characters may have offended purists of the novel, it still remains one of the most acclaimed adaptations of this timeless novel.
Sleuth
Sleuth is a mystery thriller directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, featuring Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine. The plot revolves around a wealthy author who invites his wife’s lover to his mansion for an inventive game that spirals into a dangerous contest of wits and deception. Based on the play by Anthony Shaffer, Sleuth explores themes of rivalry, betrayal, and intricate mind games between its two central characters.
As essentially a two-man show between Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine, the murder mysterySleuthhas maintained the essence of the Tony Award-winning play it was based on. With Olivier as Andrew Wyke, a successful crime author, and Caine as Milo Tindle, his wife’s lover, Sleuth utilized games, theater, and a battle of the wits to portray the murderous potential of this twist-filled mystery. Both Olivier and Caine were nominated for Oscars for their incredible performances; however, they lost out to Marlon Brando’sAcademy Award win forThe Godfather.
Sleuthwas a movie characterized by two strong performances and intensely impressive dialogue as its mystery slowly unveiled itself.Sleuthproved that a great screenplay, strong direction, and talented actors were all that was needed to create an effective film, as it was an intensely engaging watch without the need for over-the-top action sequences. As a truly thought-provoking thriller,Sleuthdeserves much more widespread recognitionthan it has received among contemporary film audiences.
DirectorAlfred Hitchcock made his Hollywood debut with the release ofRebeccain 1940, a truly spellbinding psychological thriller packed with romance and intrigue. Although he was only at the beginning of his feature film acting career, Laurence Olivier gave one of his defining performances as the brooding, aristocratic widower Maxim de Winter, who has recently married his second wife. As the mystery around Maxim’s first marriage to the mysteriously deceased Rebecca revealed itself, Hitchcock explored the very depths of human psychology.
Rebeccawas a critical and commercial success that even took home the Oscar for Best Picture and signaled the embracement of Hitchcock as a brave new voice within Hollywood. Olivier’s sullen and mysterious performance as Maxim was an important part of the film’s success, as his leading man charisma paired perfectly with his enigmatic and inscrutable presence. RevisitingRebeccaover eight decades since it was first released, it’s incredible how well the film holds up today.
Hamlet
Hamlet is a 1948 British adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy, directed by and starring Laurence Olivier as the titular Prince of Denmark. The film follows Hamlet as he seeks to avenge his father’s murder amid court intrigue and personal turmoil. Eileen Herlie and Basil Sydney co-star as Queen Gertrude and King Claudius, respectively. This adaptation garnered critical acclaim, earning four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Olivier.
Laurence Olivier’s crowning achievement, not just as a leading man or Shakespearean actor but also as a director, was his 1948 adaptation ofHamlet. As one of the all-time great tragedies and among the most complex and interesting roles an actor can play, Olivier imbued his version ofHamletwith his own unique sensibilities as he made numerous alterations and cut over one and a half hours from the original four-hour production. While this may have upset Shakespeare purists, Olivier’sHamlethas been remembered as one of the greatest cinematic adaptations of this tragedy.
From its impressive costumes to its darkly moody tone,Hamletset new standards for theater adaptations and proved Olivier was a real contender for the greatest Shakespearean actor of all time. While the omission of important characters like Fortinbras, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern can be felt,this major cut allowed Olivier to focus entirely on the more psychological aspects of Hamlet’s strugglesand less on the political side of things.Hamletwas a perfect encapsulation of the enduring appeal of Olivier and the definitive testament to his place as one of the most important performers of the 20th century.
