MovieChat Forums > The Winds of War (1983) Discussion > Ali MacGraw is the worst actress in hist...

Ali MacGraw is the worst actress in history!

posted 15 years ago by generalusgrant
19 replies | jump to latest

I watched and loved Winds of War when it first aired in 1983. It was such a big-budget opulent production and I was always a devoted fan of Robert Mitchum. In the intervening years, I've watched the series several times again. Most recently, I purchased the DVD's and watched it once more in its entirity.

I despised Ali MacGraw back in 1983 and I must say, I detest her even more now. Throughout the series, every single character constantly blabbers on about how "gorgeous" she is. WHAT?? MacGraw is not even remotely attractive. She is utterly average looking, yet even stoic Bob Mitchum chimes in that she is "drop dead gorgeous." If you're going to have a character everyone gushes over, then cast a genuinely beautiful actress in the role. If Grace Kelly was playing Natalie, I could buy that she was "gorgeous." But MacGraw? It almost makes me throw up.

MacGraw is the worst actress I have possibly ever seen in a big budget series such as this. I've read the Wouk books and Natalie was a strong woman, but likeable. MacGraw turns into a character to be despised. Every time she traipses into a scene, I audibly wince.

[–] arcturus6 15 years ago

That is your opinion. And certainly you are entitled to it. I do not, however, agree with you. I liked Ms. McGraw in Winds of War and I was disappointed when she was replaced for War and Rememberance. Hey, I like Jane Seymour also, but I did not like her replacing Ms. McGraw just as I did not like Hoyt Buckner replacing Jan Michael Vincent as Byron Henry, etc. I was also very disappointed that John Houseman took ill and was not cast as Aaron Jastrow in War and Rememberance as well. That does not mean I did not care for John Gielgud as I thought he was a great actor. I thought the recasting too more from the series than it gave! Oh yes, I am sure you will not agree and frankly I don't care! You rattled and ranted about Ms. McGraw and now I am rattling and ranting back. I read Winds of War also and frankly pal I think Ms. McGraw did well. Considering War and Rememberance, I think she would have done just as well or even better! So there. Have a good day.

[–] generalusgrant 15 years ago

Ali MacGraw is universally regarded to be an abysmal actress. But you are entitled to enjoy her.

However, allow me to inerject this thought regarding John Houseman: try to imagine how ludicrous it would have been for someone as fat as Houseman suffering through Theresienstadt and then Auschwitz weighing 250 pounds. Gielgud was frail and thin, which is exactly how he would have looked after a year of forced starvation and deprivation. Instead of it being horrific and moving when Gielgud went to his death, it would have been beyond ludicrous for a fat man like Houseman to be gassed.

Neither Vincent or Bochner were even passably good actors (as their anemic careers eloquently proved). But I agree that I preferred Jan-Michael Vincent. Bochner was childishly bad as Brynie.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] tfilm78 14 years ago

When it comes to MacGraw/Vincent vs. Seymour/Bochner, I have to say each was appropriate for that part of the story.

MacGraw and Vincent, who averaged around 40 at the time of filming, barely pulled off believably playing characters in their 20s. However, their personalities were right. MacGraw was flirtatious and charming, Vincent was angry and impulsive. Neither would have been able to stay convincing in those roles after aging another 5 years.

Things change in War and Remembrance. Byron is supposed to grow and mature as an officer. Natalie has to endure an odyssey through a rapidly crumbling European society, not to mention the worst of the worst. Bochner didn't have that permanently pissed off look on his face, and he didn't show up drunk every morning either.

As for Houseman vs. Gielgud, casting Gielgud was the best recasting decision they made. The only problem is why nobody thought of Gielgud earlier. Gielgud, already in his 80s, brought real passion to the role. He truly seems in love with the history he has absorbed, and the two faiths he has embraced. And, he was physically capable of pulling off the role. Houseman was also literally in no fit state to be involved in such a lengthy production.

[–] raylward-222-28118 13 years ago

I don't usually post stuff on these boards and I don't want to start a new thread about Ali McGraw. I not only liked McGraw in the role - i thought she played the part perfectly. Period. My wife disagrees with me 100% and that is why I am even here - to get an idea of what people generally think of her performance in WoW. She is playing a strong willed and intelligent Jewish woman of that period. Maybe I think it's an excellent performance because I am not familiar with the body of her work. And it is her that I miss the most whenever I move on to WaR. I think it would be a challenge for any actress to pull off the Slote/Henry love triangle without coming off looking like utterly callus. And she does. She evokes the contradictory emotions that define Natalie Jastrow. I know I am in the small minority. But at least I am not completely alone in my view.
More generally - Wow and WaR are about the best TV miniseries ever.'Nuff said

[–] Purplelisa (2) 5 years ago

generalusgrant is right and you are wrong (not to mention snarky). Ali McGraw is a horrible actress. She is not drop dead gorgeous by any standard. However, she does have a certain sex appeal. One need not be a beauty to be alluring. And now I’m done rattling and ranting. Where did you pick up that particular phrase, btw?

[–] moonchildiva 14 years ago

i wondered why i never watched winds of war, and now i remember. i just started reading the book and decided to check out the cast. i am considering seeing this movie on DVD eventually but now i wonder if i can.

ps, i can't stand streep either.

[–] victord 14 years ago

I have just finished watching this for the first time and I must agree with the OP. MacGraw was just abysmal. I had to cringe in most of her scenes and had to skip through some. I also thought that some of the camera work was a bit quirky with bizarre low angle and closeup shots. Mitchum and Tennant were great though.

I'm now looking forward to the follow up "War and Remembrance"

[–] tedmccarron 14 years ago

I also noticed what a bad actress Macgraw was. Most high shcool play actors could do as well or better. As for her looks, I too thought the whole "beuaty" thing was over rated for her. However, when I checked this out from the library, the male librarian told me he watched it years ago because he had a cruch on Ally Macgraw. So I guess she's beautiful to some. I do think she had nice eyes.

[–] Thirdover4 14 years ago

I seem to remember that when the series first aired, the reviews for her were so bad and the fan reaction was so negative towards her she announced she was retiring from acting. I'm just now reading the book and I think a lot of the show was cast poorly. They went for name talent over character descriptions to draw viewers.

[–] waldenpond88 14 years ago

I totally disagree.
Ali MacGraw was absolutely gorgeous and believable and young looking in the role of Natalie Jastrow, even better than she acted in "Love Story".
I never noticed more chemistry between two actors in a love scene than between Ali MacGraw and Jan-Michael Vincent.
Even director Dan Curtis stated that Ali was his first pick for the part and he was absolutely right.
If Ali MacGraw and Jan-Michael Vincent would have continued as Natalie and Byron in "War and Remembrance", it would have been an equally good sequel. With Jane Seymour playing Natalie it's just an average TV production, but fortunately it's still watchable thanks to Robert Mitchum, Victoria Tennant and Polly Bergen.

[–] wpkeany-960-542578 14 years ago

Ali MacGraw has made this miniseries almost unwatchable. As a kid watching this, I thought it was great, and the cast was fantastic. It has not aged well. MacGraw is fairly attractive, but not enough to make someone go chasing around war hotspots after her. On top of it her character is selfish and unlikable, but other than that, I think that she's wonderful.....

[–] joepizza 13 years ago

YEAH, OK....you need glasses.....I guess the first trimester is a turn on for you....to each his own I guess.

[–] patty-deville 12 years ago

Ali McGraw is horrible and miscast as is nearly every part in this miniseries. Except for David Dukes and the Germans, all the actors are a good 10-20 years too old for their parts and look it. I keep waiting for McGraw to throw out some lines such as "Hey, Preppie" and "Love means..." The only thing that could have saved the Natalie and Byron marriage episode would be if Ryan O'Neal was at the door to deliver the box with the honeymoon nightie.

The actor playing Churchill has an oddly Irish accent at times which is jarring.

[–] Purplelisa (2) 5 years ago

How can you distinguish between her acting in WoW and Love Story? She’s a one-trick pony. Every roll she plays is a carbon copy.

[–] evans5139 (1) 2 years ago

I beg to differ, she was great as Natalie. As much as I like Jayne Seymour she didn't come close to the McGraw performance.

[–] nyctc7 (43609) 2 years ago

McGraw & Vincent as Natalie & Byron is my all-time favorite screen romance.

[–] ruckwerts (1) a year ago

I’ve gotta say this. Ali McGraw RUINED Winds of War!! Bad acting. I fast forward her parts. Sad.

[–] whoanelly (1586) 4 months ago

Good that she was replaced