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Summary
Having lived to the mature old eld of 103 , before he died in 2020 , Douglas stood as the last remanent of an earlier age of filmmaking in Hollywood . With a calling that included biopics , film noirs , melodramas , sci - fi , Westerns , and many more , Douglas do from a transformative clock time in movie history when actors could try anything and were n’t as pigeonholed by expectations . The retentive career of Douglas included collaborationism withacclaimed directors like Stanley KubrickandDouglas good photographic film have truly stood the test of metre .
1020,000 Leagues Under The Sea (1954)
Kirk Douglas as Ned Land
Kirk Douglas teamed up with Walt Disney to play Ned Land in an adaptation of Jules Verne ’s science fabrication dangerous undertaking classic20,000 Leagues Under the Seain 1954 . An unbelievable feat of special effect for its time,20,000 league Under the Seawas one of the first films ever made in CinemaScopeand filmed entirely in Technicolor.20,000 Leagues Under the Seaproved that Walt Disney Productions had major potential outside of animation , and Douglas answer as the pure live - action star for this fantastical children ’s adventure .
With an unbelievable ensemble cast that also have James Mason as Captain Nemo and Petter Lorre as Conseil,20,000 league Under the Seawas mostly think back for its iconic fight against a gargantuan calamari . A marvel for both its epical special effects and beautifully shot cinematography,20,000 Leagues Under the Seawas a literary genre celluloid that go above and beyond when it come to older - fashioned adventurous fun . A declamatory part of its success was due to the magnificent solicitation of Douglas , conduct to20,000 Leagues Under the Seastanding on one ofDisney ’s best live - action elbow grease .
9Gunfight At The O.K. Corral (1957)
Kirk Douglas as Doc Holliday
Cast
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral is a 1957 westerly film lead by John Sturges . The film stars Burt Lancaster as Wyatt Earp and Kirk Douglas as Doc Holliday , describe their legendary battle against the Clanton crew in Tombstone , Arizona . Featuring plunk for performances by Rhonda Fleming and Jo Van Fleet , the pic chronicles the tensions leading to the historical 1881 showdown .
As just one of manyfamous actors to flirt Doc Holliday , Kirk Douglas undertake the Western musical style in Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in 1957 . Joined by Burt Lancaster as Marshal Wyatt Earp and Lee Van Cleef in a minor character , Gunfight at the O.K. Corralwas based on the actual outcome in 1881which was wide affect as the most famous gunfight to ever occur in the Old West . WhileGunfight at the O.K. Corraltook many liberties with the truth , it still like an expert showcased Douglas ’s quickly increasing star mightiness .
WhileGunfight at the O.K. Corralmay not live up to the very best stories base on the real - life outlaw of Holliday and Earp , Douglas together with Lancaster made an undeniably charming squad and in terms of pure entertainment the film worked well . A tale of friendship and retaliation that culminated in the epic shootout , Gunfight at the O.K. Corralwas a pure Western that issue forth together well in its last climax . While Douglas may have had more telling part , Gunfight at the O.K. Corralwas one of his more fun endeavors .
8Out Of The Past (1947)
Kirk Douglas as Whit Sterling
One of Kirk Douglas ’ other acting triumph was as Whit Sterling in the woefully nameless cinema noirOut of the Past . With a complexly tragic storyline , darkly brooding cinematography , and a Graeco-Roman femme fatale honey interest , Out of the Pasthad all the makings of a film noir classiccomplete with the act expertise of Douglas , Robert Mitchum , and Jane Greer . While not very acclaimed at the time of its press release , in the decennium sinceOut of the Pasthas been reappraised as one of thebest film noirs ever made .
While the focus ofOut of the Pastwas on Mitchum as Jeff Bailey , a man urgently seek to escape his dark past , Douglas was a substantial highlight as a crooked and convincing antagonist . Douglas ’ role inOut of the Pastproved to begin with in his life history his persuasiveness at meet morally complex villains , which would by and by be overshadow by his leading man hero condition in the fifties and 1960s . A realshowcased of Douglas ’ act strength , Out of the Pastwas one not to be miss .
7The Strange Love Of Martha Ivers (1946)
Kirk Douglas as Walter O’Neil
The career of Kirk Douglas started improbably strong with his acting debut inThe Strange Love of Martha Ivers . A engrossing tale of concealed secrets , childhood repression , and the mysterious death of an aunt , The Strange Love of Martha Iverswas a dark dear trianglewhose story was imbued with far more depth than the medium film noir of this epoch . A reciprocating saw puzzle to be set up together by the viewing audience , the story of Martha was a sensitive and powerful tale that kept spectator hooked right until its very last scenery .
The Strange Love of Martha Iverswas a temperate success at the time of its release but has since been reevaluate for its compelling narration , incredible style , and the depth of its characterization , and garnered100 % onRotten Tomatoes . Douglas was fantastical in his role as the timid Walter O’Neilwhose portrait can be easy get at as The Strange Love of Martha Ivers entered the public domain in 1974 due to an unrevived right of first publication readjustment ( viaAustin Chronicle . ) Douglas himself rankedThe Strange Love of Martha Iversamong the moving picture that he was most proud of ( viaHuff Post . )
6Champion (1949)
Kirk Douglas as Midge Kelly
BeforeRockyorRaging Bull , acting fable Kirk Douglas deliver one of the determinate boxing execution in the sport dramaChampion . For portraying Midge Kelly in Champion , Douglas put on his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actorand in conclusion broke through as a major star in Hollywood . The mixture of Douglas ’ intense physical performance and realistic underdog attitude made for a win compounding as the down - on - his - destiny attack aircraft box his fashion to the top , mainly by stepping on other people .
WhileChampiontook many shore leave with the Ring Lardner myopic tarradiddle it was based on , it found Modern energy as it guided viewers through gym training , shady coach ’s offices , and into the halo for intense battle sequences . As a unadulterated , naturalistic report of boxing rackets and the underhanded tactics that went on behind the conniption , Championworked well . And asa showcase of Douglas ’ immense talent and potential , it was a full knockout .
5The Bad And The Beautiful (1952)
Kirk Douglas as Jonathan Shields
The Bad and the Beautifullooked behind the setting of the movie business organisation in the histrionic story of a big - time film producer who alienate everybody around him . A tale of Hollywood , starlets , and the thick sordid underbelly of showbusiness , The Bad and the Beautifulearned Kirk Douglas his 2nd Academy Award nominationfor his role as the clamber movie maker Jonathan Shields . With several allusions to real - life-time Hollywood personality and product , The Bad and the Beautifulwas an unco engaging and divulge face at the cryptic working of entertainment for this earned run average .
Douglas played Shields , the unscrupulous film producer unashamedly using an actress , director , and author to achieve his own succeeder . The Bad and the Beautifulfeatured a heap of interesting commentary about the workings of Hollywoodand the psychological science behind it . The Bad and the Beautifulsimultaneously dismantled the Hollywood studio organisation while also move as an court to it , highlight that for all the shady departure - on in the background , it was still an stupefying violence to be reckoned with .
4Spartacus (1960)
Kirk Douglas as Spartacus
Spartacus is a historical drama directed by Stanley Kubrick , starring Kirk Douglas as Spartacus , a slave - turned - rebel lead an insurrection against the Roman Empire . free in 1960 , the film features Laurence Olivier , Jean Simmons , and Tony Curtis in supporting roles . It portray Spartacus ’s journeying from enslavement to becoming a symbolic representation of underground .
President John F. Kennedy crossed the picket lines to consider the moving-picture show , it acted as a major mo in the ending of McCarthyism .
Three days after Kirk Douglas and director Stanley Kubrick had a highly effective collaboration withPaths of Glorythe two worked together again on the blade and sandal epicSpartacus . An important motion picture in the historic epical genre , Spartacuswas also noteworthy for its behind - the - tantrum controversies . Spartacuswas write by blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumboand after President John F. Kennedy crossbreed the picket lines to catch the pic , it acted as a major minute in the conclusion of McCarthyism .
Douglas exuded star power and charisma in the claim role of Roman gladiator Spartacus and handle to pull up off a great movie after the original manager , Anthony Mann , was exchange after just one week of shot . A massive moving-picture show both in scale and spectacle , Spartacuswas the epitome of Douglas ’ leading man persona and ace power during this epoch . The tycoon of effectiveness of this version ofSpartacuswas truly glorious and for over 60 years it has remained one of the greatest historical epos ever produced .
3Ace In The Hole (1951)
Kirk Douglas as Charles “Chuck” Tatum
With dark rarely seen in his prospicient and varied life history , Kirk Douglas brought a dastardly volume to the persona of the cynical and disgraced newspaper reporter Chuck TatuminAce in the Hole . In the floor of a humanity who was unforced to do anything to get a serious account , Tatum overwork the plight of a man stand by in a cave to try and reignite his own hesitation career . Ace in the Holewas the first film directed by the acclaimed auteur Billy Wilder after he parted way with his recollective - time writing married person Charles Brackett and demonstrate he still had what it take to make smashing movies .
A powerful portrayal of the dark relationship between the insistency and the way word was circulated , Ace in the Holeexplored the way that the public can be manipulated and messed with by the media . Ace in the Holeworked primarily due to the committed portrayal of Douglas , who give a seedy and unlikable vim to the character of Tatum that was representative of the film ’s overall message . WhileAce in the Holewas not as well - regarded as other Wilder movies , likeSunset BoulevardorThe Apartment , it deserved to rank amongWilder ’s best full treatment .
2Lust For Life (1956)
Kirk Douglas as Vincent van Gogh
Douglas bring pathos and exposure to his characterization of Van Gogh as the pain in the neck behind his eyes was manifest throughout .
Kirk Douglas gave one of his most impressive performances as the struggling painter Vincent van Gogh in the nitty-gritty - wrenching biopicLust for Life . A faithful adaptation of the fib of the torment genius woefully underappreciated in his own time , Douglas contribute ruth and vulnerability to his enactment of Van Goghas the pain behind his oculus was apparent throughout . A slow - move and negotiation - heavy film , Lust for Lifewas a poignant graphic symbol study that was pose with care and love towards its bailiwick .
Not only did Douglas tolerate a hit resemblance to the literal Van Gogh , butLust for Lifeportrayed the complexities and contradictions hidden at the nitty-gritty of his world . as impressive was Anthony Quinn as the mountain lion Paul Gauguin , whose convincing portrayal earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor . A fascinating and gratifying biopic , despite being secrete during the 1950s , Lust for Lifestill felt incredibly modern and relevant .
1Paths Of Glory (1957)
Kirk Douglas as Colonel Dax
itinerary of Glory , direct by Stanley Kubrick , is a war flick set during World War I. The moving picture asterisk Kirk Douglas as Colonel Dax , a French policeman who defends three soldiers accuse of cowardice in a motor lodge - martial . The pic explore root of military hierarchy , the futility of war , and the moral dilemma faced by soldiers and their leaders . Paths of Glory is illustrious for its decisive portrayal of military bureaucracy .
There was no other selection for Kirt Douglas ’s crowning accomplishment as an actor than his characterization of Colonel Dax in Paths of Glory . A truly marvelous anti - war moving picture by filmmaking illusionist Stanley Kubrick , Paths of Glorywas the powerful story of a commanding French officerwho must defend his soldiers against charge of cowardice after refusing to send them into a suicidal attack . In a highly intense film , Douglas institute a real sense of maturity to his role of Colonel Dax and proved that he had the acting chops to stand against any of his coevals .
Paths of Glorywas controversial upon its releasefor its perceive anti - military tone and the way it knock governmental censorship . However , in the years since its release , it gained a repute as one of the most efficient anti - war movies ever made . With impressive struggle successiveness , a human-centered view of the conflict , and a knock-down content , Paths of Glorystood as an inordinately important entryway in the careers of both Kubrick andKirk Douglas .
Custom image by Yeider Chacon.
Sources : Rotten Tomatoes , Austin Chronicle , Huff Post
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral is a 1957 Western film directed by John Sturges. The film stars Burt Lancaster as Wyatt Earp and Kirk Douglas as Doc Holliday, depicting their legendary battle against the Clanton gang in Tombstone, Arizona. Featuring supporting performances by Rhonda Fleming and Jo Van Fleet, the film chronicles the tensions leading to the historic 1881 showdown.
