Burt Lancaster
Ranked #6,335 in Entertainment, #77,695 overall
A Career Worth Remembering
His name is not one heard often today, but his film career stretched from the 1940s to the 1990s. Starting out as an acrobat in circus shows, Burt Lancaster found his way to Hollywood and contributed enduring and substantive performances to the film world. From his recognizable voice to his formidable physique, Burt Lancaster created a body of work worthy of remembrance and appreciation.
Burt Lancaster's Finest Moments
A Brief Filmography
- Old "Swede" Anderson in The Killers (1946)
- Joe Collins in Brute Force (1947)
- Frankie Madison in I Walk Alone (1948)
- Sergeant Milton Warden in From Here to Eternity (1953)
- Massai in Apache (1954)
- Joe Erin in Vera Cruz (1954)
- Elias Wakefield in The Kentuckian (1955)
- Alvaro Mangiacavallo in The Rose Tattoo (1955)
- Bill Starbuck in The Rainmaker (1956)
- Marshal Wyatt Earp in Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957)
- J.J. Hunsecker in Sweet Smell of Success (1957)
- Jim Bledsoe in Run Silent Run Deep
- Ben Zachary in The Unforgiven (1960)
- Elmer Gantry in Elmer Gantry (1960)
- Dr. Ernst Janning in Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)
- Robert Franklin Stroud in Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)
- Prince Don Fabrizio Salina in The Leopard (1963)
- General James Mattoon Scott in Seven Days in May (1964)
- Bill Dolworth in The Professionals (1966)
- Mel Bakersfeld in Airport (1970)
- Alfredo Berlinghieri in 1900 (1976)
- Dr. Paul Moreau in The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977)
- Colonel Anthony Durnford in Zulu Dawn (1979)
- Lou in Atlantic City, USA (1980)
- Dr. Archibald Graham in Field of Dreams (1989)
Discovering Burt Lancaster
Watching the Films of Burt Lancaster
Buy This Allposters.com
Upon first hearing his name, I was not at all familiar with Burt Lancaster. My husband mentioned him in a tone that suggested he was a major star - someone who had a tremendous impact upon early Hollywood. After watching just a few Burt Lancaster films, I quickly discovered his extraordinary talent.
Even in more secondary roles, Burt Lancaster possessed an intriguing onscreen presence. His strong build, endearing smile, and controlled delivery immediately captures a viewer's attention. This was startlingly evident in his first and leading role in The Killers. Such an extraordinary first-time performance propelled him into the depths of Hollywood and a long film career.
Lancaster exhibited a greater level of confidence in From Here to Eternity as he aptly portrayed a military man struggling to balance his adherence to order and his capacity to clutch both passion and compassion. As the title character in Elmer Gantry, Lancaster portrayed a man exploiting faith for personal gain with sincerity and raw humanity.
Though I have not come close to viewing all of Burt Lancaster's films, I can declare that Birdman of Alcatraz is my current favorite. Lancaster achieved exquisite levels of control and quiet passion in his portrayal of a character who managed to maintain his humanity and dignity despite incarceration and an unforgiving penal system.
“I woke up one day a star. It was terrifying. Then I worked hard toward becoming a good actor.”
Lancaster's Range
Burt Lancaster Steals the Scene
Lancaster exhibits a soft, introspective side in this scene from Birdman of Alcatraz.
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Classic Hollywood Actresses
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From Circus Star to Classic Hollywood Actor
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Burt Lancaster's Life
Lancaster in the Books
Learning from a Great
Burt Lancaster and Gary Cooper
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Burt Lancaster admitted that he learned a great deal from Gary Cooper when they worked together on the film Vera Cruz (1954).
Award Worthy
Burt Lancaster received Academy Award Nominations for his performances in From Here to Eternity, Elmer Gantry, Birdman of Alcatraz, and Atlantic City, USA. He won the Oscar for his role in Elmer Gantry (1961).
Lancaster's Finest Performances
Burt Lancaster Films
A Western Duel
Burt Lancaster vs. John Wayne
Burt Lancaster was well-known for his liberal political views. In 1960, he worked with director John Huston on the film The Unforgiven--often considered a liberal response to John Ford's The Searchers (1956), starring John Wayne.
Which film is superior?
The Unforgiven.
The Searchers.
The_Accountant says:
The Searchers is the superior film, in my opinion. There are images from the film that are unforgettable. I can't say the same is true for The Unforgiven, not to be mistaken with the Clint Eastwood film.
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