MovieChat Forums > The Robe (1953) Discussion > Great Villainous Rulers

Great Villainous Rulers

posted 12 years ago by awrobel
5 replies | jump to latest

After watching this film Jay Robinson's iconic characterization of Caligula brought to mind other actors and their standout performances as maniacal rulers. Quo Vadis was recently on TCM and Peter Ustinov's portrayal of Nero was award winning. But the one actor who seemed to set the bar in this type of role was Frank Thring, an Australian, best remembered for his role in King of Kings, as Herod Antipas. His performance was memorable as he strut before his throne and seemed to embody evil. John Hurt comes to mind in I, Claudius as Caligula, as well. Any other nominees ?

[–] IndianaMcClane 12 years ago

You could add Patrick McGoohan as Edward the Longshanks from "Braveheart" and Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus from "Gladiator" to that list.

[–] cwente2 12 years ago

Can't forget Charles Laughton's Nero in "The Sign of the Cross" or Claude Rains' Prince John in "The Adventures of Robin Hood".

[–] Vecchiolarry 12 years ago

Hi,

Frank Thring again as Aella in "The Vikings".. He has Ernest Borgnine thrown to the wolves and then cuts off Tony Curtis' hand with a sword...

Larry

[–] magolding 10 years ago

Frank Thring again as Aella in "The Vikings".. He has Ernest Borgnine thrown to the wolves and then cuts off Tony Curtis' hand with a sword...

Considering that Ragnar Lodbrok was a viking raider Aella treated him better than he deserved. Other Scandinavians may have been good people, but all Viking raiders were evil.

How much did the people of the British Islands hate the Vikings who raided and looted and killed for profit? Many old English churches have wooden doors covered with leather. Some of the leather coverings are called "Dane skins" and tests show that some of the "Dane skins" might have might have been made from unlucky Vikings. Some of his subjects may have thought that letting Ragnar off with such a quick and easy death instead of the fiendish tortures they wanted was the most tyrannical thing that Aella ever did.

[–] bastasch8647 9 years ago

On the one hand:

all Viking raiders were evil

On the other hand:

old English churches have wooden doors covered with leather. Some of the leather coverings are called "Dane skins" and tests show that some of the "Dane skins" might have might have been made from unlucky Vikings

Maybe the truth lies between the two extremes...?