MovieChat Forums > Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) Discussion > Montgomery Clift

Montgomery Clift

posted 20 years ago by Fletista
47 replies | jump to latest

I think it's one of his bests performances. I heard that when he finished his representation, all the people in the studio applauded.

I love his character in the film.

[–] KingVidor 13 years ago

I totally agree. Clift's performance in "Nuremberg" is one of my top, all-time favorite film performances by anyone regardless of genre, era, or subject.

[–] luverofmovies 13 years ago

I absolutely agree, KingVidor. Clift could take even a smaller role and make it just about the most memorable performance in a great film with many movie heavy-hitters.

[–] arman0612 13 years ago

I can't believe he didn't win the Oscar for this!! That's one of the biggest mistakes of the Academy, he was as brilliant as always, one of the best actors that ever lived and still so underrated.

[–] Speed-the-plow 13 years ago

I think he played himself, pure and simple.

Kramer, the director, said he struggled to remember his lines even for this one scene, so he gave him permission to ad lib. Hence, the line, "Since that day, I've been half I've ever been". There's no doubt Clift felt like half the man he was before.

His post-accident career has been referred to as the "longest suicide in Hollywood history" Marilyn Monroe, when filming The Misfits, with Clift, said, "The only person I know who is in even worse shape than I am." That says it all, right there.

[–] SeanJoyce 13 years ago

That says it all, right there.

Says what, exactly?

"...if that was off, I'd be whoopin' your ass up and down this street." ~ an irate Tarantino

[–] Speed-the-plow 13 years ago

Says he must've been a total basket case.

[–] SeanJoyce 13 years ago

What's it say that's relevant to this topic?

"...if that was off, I'd be whoopin' your ass up and down this street." ~ an irate Tarantino

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] tohu 11 years ago

Should actors REALLY get nominated for only ONE scene

Hmmm. I don't think its about the number of scenes, but the quality of the performance. Sure, Monty's only in one scene in JAN. But it is a very long one! And he does blow you away.

Anthony Hopkins is only on screen for 16 minutes of 'Silence of the Lambs'? Yet he totally owns the film, and is the thing you remember afterwards. Is it OK for him to get the Oscar because his 16 minutes are spread out between 2 or 3 scenes??
I dunno. To me it shouldn't be restricted in that way. It should be about the performance.

Where I do agree with you is that there are lots of amazing performances in this film. And it deserved to win a haul of Oscars.

_____________

"Maybe I should go alone"
- Quint, Jaws.

[–] peterduray-bito 11 years ago

Just want to add my 2 cents. Monty's performance here cuts across all of humanity. I've found times in my life where I'm experiencing something unrelated to film and this performance comes to mind. Stunning.

[–] Eumenides_0 12 years ago

When I first watched this movie I was mesmerised by Clift's scene. To create and inhabit such a powerful character in such a short span of time, was an amazing feat! I was in trance at everything he did: the way he spoke, the mannerisms, the way he slouched in the chair. He just became the character.

This world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel.