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John Doe’s Favourite Charlton Heston films.
Charlton Heston (1924-2008)
Another week and another cinema icon passes into the big chariot race in the sky. This time its Charlton Heston, the Greco jawed epic presence that exuded a vibrant intelligence and stoic dignity.
Though many remember the actor from his sword and sandal adventures like The Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur and El Cid, John Doe was never enamored with this side of his performances. Personally in the genre JD is more of a fan of Kubrick’s Spartacus or Anthony Mann’s the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire. That’s not to say he doesn’t appreciate the massive impact these films had on the landscape of cinema, but Johnny’s faves are the ones where Heston was willing to play flawed characters that had an element of tragedy and arrogance to them.
Planet of the Apes (1968) is certainly near the top of the list, the impact it had on a young Doe cannot be measured easily. The profound statement it made about man’s inhumanity to man and the comments on a crumbling civilization were perfectly captured by the character of Taylor. A man who had turned his back on society to become so fiercely independent that intellect and personal belief had made it near impossible for him to cohabitate with others.
Though many have joked about a Touch of Evil (1958) being the film “where Heston played a Mexican”, the film itself is a staggering work of uncompromising power that willingly exists in a hazy morality. (Even if Orson Welles was forced by the studio to use him) As Ramon Miguel 'Mike' Vargas there’s an impotence to Heston’s part that was seldom seen in any of his other works.
Witness the staggering unbroken opening shot to A Touch of Evil
Teaming up with the legendary Sam Peckinpah (The Wild Bunch) to play the obsessive Major Dundee (1965) resulted in one of his stars bravest roles. The off set tales of conflict between the hard man Director and his star were rumoured to be clashes of wills. The best of the stories is that in a rage Heston on horse back charged Peckinpah with sabre in hand and had to be restrained or blood would have been spilled. Despite this Chuck invested some of his own money to keep the production going rightfully because he had faith in the films quality.
To find proof of the Major Dundee’s power you need only to look at this classic scene with Warren Oates.
That’s rounds out Johnny Doe’s Top 3 Heston films and here are the rest of his favourites: (In no particular order)
William Wyler’s The Big Country (1958)
Nicolas Ray’s 55 Days in Peking (1963)
Franklin J Schaffer’s The Warlord (1965)
Andrew V. McLaglen The Last of the Hard Men (1976)
John Carpenter’s In The Mouth of Madness (1995)
Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday (1999)
Richard Fleischer’s Soylent Green (1973)
Carol Reed’s The Agony and The Ecstasy (1965)
Dark City (1950)
The Naked Jungle (1954)
The Omega Man (1971)
The Call of The Wild (1972)
Will Penny (1968)
Khartoum (1966)
The Mountain Men (1980)
Heston was not the most versatile of actors but he knew his screen abilities better than most and seldom strayed beyond his own limits. That's not to say that he didn't push himself and with single minded and fierce determination he was one of the few Hollywood conservatives that were willing to acknowledge short comings.
Regardless of his later political beliefs his work for civil rights is to be admired and in the list above you will find a series of complex and conflicted characters that have now become a part of movie folklore.
Charlton Heston you will be missed by jdmfilmreviews and many others…R.I.P
Charlton Heston
Another week and another cinema icon passes into the big chariot race in the sky. This time its Charlton Heston, the Greco jawed epic presence that exuded a vibrant intelligence and stoic dignity.
Though many remember the actor from his sword and sandal adventures like The Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur and El Cid, John Doe was never enamored with this side of his performances. Personally in the genre JD is more of a fan of Kubrick’s Spartacus or Anthony Mann’s the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire. That’s not to say he doesn’t appreciate the massive impact these films had on the landscape of cinema, but Johnny’s faves are the ones where Heston was willing to play flawed characters that had an element of tragedy and arrogance to them.
Chuck chills on The Planet of the Apes
Planet of the Apes (1968) is certainly near the top of the list, the impact it had on a young Doe cannot be measured easily. The profound statement it made about man’s inhumanity to man and the comments on a crumbling civilization were perfectly captured by the character of Taylor. A man who had turned his back on society to become so fiercely independent that intellect and personal belief had made it near impossible for him to cohabitate with others.
Though many have joked about a Touch of Evil (1958) being the film “where Heston played a Mexican”, the film itself is a staggering work of uncompromising power that willingly exists in a hazy morality. (Even if Orson Welles was forced by the studio to use him) As Ramon Miguel 'Mike' Vargas there’s an impotence to Heston’s part that was seldom seen in any of his other works.
Witness the staggering unbroken opening shot to A Touch of Evil
Teaming up with the legendary Sam Peckinpah (The Wild Bunch) to play the obsessive Major Dundee (1965) resulted in one of his stars bravest roles. The off set tales of conflict between the hard man Director and his star were rumoured to be clashes of wills. The best of the stories is that in a rage Heston on horse back charged Peckinpah with sabre in hand and had to be restrained or blood would have been spilled. Despite this Chuck invested some of his own money to keep the production going rightfully because he had faith in the films quality.
To find proof of the Major Dundee’s power you need only to look at this classic scene with Warren Oates.
That’s rounds out Johnny Doe’s Top 3 Heston films and here are the rest of his favourites: (In no particular order)
William Wyler’s The Big Country (1958)
Nicolas Ray’s 55 Days in Peking (1963)
Franklin J Schaffer’s The Warlord (1965)
Andrew V. McLaglen The Last of the Hard Men (1976)
John Carpenter’s In The Mouth of Madness (1995)
Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday (1999)
Richard Fleischer’s Soylent Green (1973)
Carol Reed’s The Agony and The Ecstasy (1965)
Dark City (1950)
The Naked Jungle (1954)
The Omega Man (1971)
The Call of The Wild (1972)
Will Penny (1968)
Khartoum (1966)
The Mountain Men (1980)
Heston was not the most versatile of actors but he knew his screen abilities better than most and seldom strayed beyond his own limits. That's not to say that he didn't push himself and with single minded and fierce determination he was one of the few Hollywood conservatives that were willing to acknowledge short comings.
Regardless of his later political beliefs his work for civil rights is to be admired and in the list above you will find a series of complex and conflicted characters that have now become a part of movie folklore.
Charlton Heston you will be missed by jdmfilmreviews and many others…R.I.P
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I didn't agree with Heston's politics, but he had quite a legacy - and a powerful speaking voice.
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I was intending to post a film review today but the news of Chuck's passing could not go uncommented. I didn't just want to recycle the news of his death though so a tribute is always easy to type.
A touch of Evil is essential and you should be able to find it and The Omega Man quite easily at JB Hi-Fi.
His voice is indeed memorable and stands beside James earl Jones as one of the most memorable in film.
Im the same on his politics, I respected his work for civil rights that often sabotaged his career but his love of Guns and loyalty to the NRA never sat well with me.
It is fantastic though that he was willing to do films like Planet of the Apes which had strong message of disarmament.
I strongly recommend Major Dundee and The Big Country too.
Hopefully the post will inspire others to check out some of his lesser appreciated and challenging efforts.
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For most people he will forever be Moses I think.
Personally I was never into that side of his screen career but he certainly played the part with conviction.
For me I guess Taylor in POTA is the encapsulation of what I associate as the definitive Heston image. That and Major Dundee.
I was tempted to mention prying the gun away but won't.
He was very much the specialist in playing anti heroes and flawed tough guys.
The current crop seem so self indulgent that they cannot relax.
I enjoyed most of his roles: The Naked Jungle was a favorite.
The Omega Man has much better acting than I am Legend.
Even as Moses you just knew he was no woosey.
I even like the dated Planet of the Apes better than the Tim Burton remake.
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Flattered you appreciated my approach, after all I always admire your own posts for definite opinions and well formed arguments.
I resisted parody out of respect, after all it can't be denied there was as much to mock as admire about Heston in his later years.
Cool you too enjoyed his ability to play characters that existed in grey morality and often had egos that destroyed those around him...The Naked Jungle is a great example of this.
No argument that he imbued Moses with the necessary gravitas.
As for Planet of the Apes I find it still carries power because of the careful structure and focused direction. It message arguably resonates more today than upon release. The Make up FX still astonish.
Agree about the Omega Man being superior to the Fresh Prince's take on the story.
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Can't get enough of the POTA love, a very influential film on my life.
Agree Chucks wayne's World cameo was indeed golden..can't we get a real actor?
Thanks for dropping in
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Great post, thanks for the clips. Charlton and Richard Harris - looks like a fine film.
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Soylent Green is the Mcdonalds of the future me thinks....it looks alot like tofu though.
And yes, Major Dundee is astonishing, Richard harris at his best and don't forget the almighty Warren Oates, James Cogburn and Ben Johnson.
Thanks for dropping by.
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Everyone MUST! even from our generation! oh well... At least try and watch one of them.
My husband's heart got crushed when his mom texted him of Mr. Heston's death. he was his Idol. He really looks up to this guy.
He's one of them legends we'll never forget!
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QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
NOW WE CAN PRIZE HIS GUN FROM HIS COLD DEAD HANDS!!!
there, now that is off my chest, (I did it for the families that had to watch him do his NRA thang in their town, just after kids were blown away at the local high school)!!
anyhoo, yes, Heston had his moments as an actor, and I wish he had been used much more towards the end of his career, a great talent.
No toga movie seems complete without him, unless it has Victor Mature in it in his stead, with his Bulover watch!
cheers
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oh fog i so wanted to say the same thing myself but somehow i resisted haha
Were you and I separated at birth??? Thinking about it the other day I thought my two favourite Heston movies were Major Dundee and Planet of the Apes!
Coming in third would be Omega Man.
Least favourite would be Beneath the Planet of the Apes...
Great post BTW..
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It's been killing me all day.
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I didn't agree with Heston's politics.
you don't agree with equal rights for african-americans?!?
lolz
Sadly I've only seen a handful of his movies, The Omega Man being my favorite one. I suppose I'll have to have a Heston night one of these days, but my favorite video store doesn't have a whole lot of old stuff. I probably ought to start renting from Netflix for older stuff like that.
We all know Heston will be sorely missed, but he's a lucky man who will live on in our hearts and on celluloid.
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I heard they set him up a little.
It really blackened his name in the later years unfortunately...
- Jarrah
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Glad you liked the list, I'm sure if you seek out Hestons work you will find something that appeals.
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He really was a charismatic fellow indeed.
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Good to meet another cinephile who appreciates teh finer things...awesome you dig major Dundee as much as myself.
I think we will be sharing film opinions for a long time to come.
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I was never a supporter of Hetson's stance on guns and it was disappointing that they chose to have that NRA rally inspite of the massacre.
I do enjoy Michael Moore's stuff as much as the next guy but it is worth noting that the "Pry my dead hands" comment was used completly out of context. The weapon he held at the time was actually a birthday gift and the quote was stated months earlier at the celebration, not as was infered in Bowling at the time of the rally. (Minor point I know)
Like you I can get past his pro-gun headlining of the NRA and still appreciate his acting.
Always a pleasure to have you by and would never discourage people speaking their mind, even if I didn't agree with the fundamentals.
.
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Nothing wrong with stating your opinion, personally I find it easy to seperate an actor from there personal life, as long as there good at their job. Which i though Heston filled a certain niche very well onscreen.
Thanks for dropping in.
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As I said in my post i admire Heston's stance on civil rights, (who wouldn't??) its what he did as President of the NRA and his gunnut promotion that politically I was adverse too. He was also a Reagan/Bush cohort which rubbed me the wrong way.
El Cid is the best of his toga style adventures for sure. Anthony Mann was a superb Director.
Cool to see you by.
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In Bowling for Columbine they set him up a lot. I enjoy Michael Moore's films as entertainment but just like the evening news would never take what he says as gospel. Just using the same tricks teh media uses to push a more positive agenda.
Agreed in later years his conservative politics really defined him..But at least he fought for civil rights.
Thanks for popping in...I get a kick out of your blog.
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What an actor does in there personal has absolutely no baring for me on if I like them professionally. As long as they are talented at what they do its all good...if it did then alot of my faves would be overlooked.
As for Omega Man, fun movie that despite its flaws still entertains and as already commented earlier is superior to I am Legend in every way.
The gun debate can be had another time, but i agree that Heston will be missed and had something special in front of the camera.
Appreciate the thoughtful comment.
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But yes, it is wise to separate an actor from his politics, I happen to think Ron Reagen is a damn fine actor!
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All good, I realised it was said tongue in cheek but just wanted to make it clear on this site you can feel free to speak your mind....and I agree totally with the birthday speech "pry my dead hands" thing being ridiculous, afterall Heston said it in response to people like me
I wasn't a big reagan fan as an actor but teh one role I love him in is as teh sadistic villian of Don Siegel's The Killers..
I look forward to further filmic exchanges of ideas.
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Although I lost interest in Heston because of his pro-active gun stance ... it is a sad day when an icon is no more... who will ever forget the impact of that first viewing of all those Planet of the Apes movies - indeed?
...and Ben Hur and the classics in which he made the Bible 'live and breathe' ...
I'm just trying to remember if I ever saw Khartoum ... something rings a bell?
A great tribute, JD.
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Great screen presence.
Shame about the political views.
But hey, when did I give a fuck about them when I'm enjoying cinema?
Once again JD, a solid tribute.
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Your reputation is intact and safe with me.
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Khartoum is an epic adventure, Egyptian style with the Brits doing the usual plundering....Lary Olivier and Ralph Richardson turn up and it a fun step back in history..
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yep, if we had to take into account actors personal lives and political views then people like Hanks may be considered great
Heston was the last of the real Hollywood greats and we will never see his like again. His place in movie history is assured, with classics like BEN-HUR, TOUCH OF EVIL and THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. Heston was also the real Indiana Jones. Look at the adventure movie SECRET OF THE INCAS and you'll realise why!
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Sorry for the delay in replying.
Agreed he was scapegoated by Moore, still some truth in there though.
No argument on his place in the acting annuls of cinema history. Secret of the Inca's is a fun guilty pleasure for sure, and that golden mirror in the cave is unforgettably Indy.
Thanks for the visit