My Favourite Donald Sutherland Movies of All-Time

Not many actors were as beloved as Donald Sutherland. Since the 1970’s, Sutherland became an icon. Whether it’s grief-stricken fathers, scientists or comical soldiers, Sutherland portrayed several characters. However, recently Sutherland’s career ended when he passed away from Cancer. His death was a massive loss for the film industry. Listed below are my picks for best movies made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Ordinary People

It’s often challenging to face the loss of a loved one. Several years ago, my housekeeper passed away causing my family to face sorrow. A larger-than-life soul, he had played a pivotal role in my family by giving it a goal. Dedicated to performing every chore, he was a person my family had grown to adore. His devastating passing left my family mourning. No matter how hard we tried, my family couldn’t move on from the sad death of a housekeeper that tragically died. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured painful emotions of losing relatives as powerfully as “Ordinary People”. Ever since its release in 1980, Donald Sutherland’s movie has stood the test of time as a classic. In the greatest role of his career, Sutherland embodies a grief-stricken father that faces despair when he loses his precious child in an accident that’s a heavy burden to bear. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Sutherland was always one of those actors with an aptitude for conveying emotions through silence without dialogue, and “Ordinary People” showcased his strengths as a performer. Working alongside Timothy Hutton who is also excellent, Sutherland created a powerful portrait of family facing tragedy. For instance, the final scene in which Calvin has a moment of silence with his son Conrad grieving loss of a loved one is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Ordinary People” a masterpiece is its message. It delivers a meaningful message about loss which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most movies made during the 1980’s which tend to be outdated, it has aged beautifully with a message that remains relevant today. Nearly 40 years following the release of a classic film about ordinary people mourning the loss of a loved that’s painful, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor whose unforgetttable movies audiences will always consider to be special.

2. Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen is a legendary author that my mother has always loved dearly. I remember bonding with a mother that appreciated the author in English literature. She was always drawn towards the sense and sensibility of an author that shaped her identity. As someone treasuring fond memories of a mother that took pride in an author without prejudice, I adored “Pride and Prejudice”. Ever since its release in 2005, Donald Sutherland’s movie has become a literary classic. In the most wise role of his career, Sutherland embodies a father that seeks to take care of his daughters that are a burden to bear. Sutherland always had a strong presence that elevated every movie he was in, and it is clearly evident in “Pride and Prejudice”. For instance, the ending scene in which Mr. Bennett sheds tears of happiness after approving Elizabeth’s marriage is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Pride and Prejudice” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about social class which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Jane Austen’s literature to appreciate it. Centuries following the publication of legendary literature about prejudiced lovers penned by a world-famous author, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor whose unforgettable movies audiences will always treasure.

3. Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Doppelgangers are terrifying figures that have always scared me. As far as I can remember, I have feared running into a duplicate of myself causing terror. The mere idea of meeting another person that is a duplicate of one’s self scares me. As someone that has always been terrified of doppelgangers, I adored “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”. Ever since its release in 1978, Donald Sutherland’s movie has stood the test of time as a horror classic. In the most frightening role of his career, Sutherland embodies a scientist that faces fear when his town is invaded by doppelgangers causing despair. Sutherland has spent most of his career playing serious characters in dramas. With “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”, however, the actor showcased an aptitude for horror he hadn’t shown in his career before. For instance, the ending scene in which Matthew screams in terror pointing his finger at Elizabeth showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” a horror classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about identity which would resonate with everyone. A frightening depiction of a doppelganger invasion, it’s a dazzling reminder of an actor whose unforgettable movies are worthy of celebration.

4. The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games is a fantastic series of books that my cousin has grown to treasure. I remember forming strong bonds with a cousin that loved a series about teenagers fighting in competitions under pressure. A huge fan of Katniss Everdeen, he always spoke fondly about a book series that became a pivotal part of his routine. In 2012, Donald Sutherland honoured the beloved book series about games in his film “The Hunger Games”. In the most villainous role of his career, Sutherland embodies a menacing president that evokes fear treating citizens in ways that are unfair. Sutherland has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “The Hunger Games”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a despicable villain. For instance, the scene in which President Snow has a candid conversation about the games with Crane showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “The Hunger Games” a great adaptation is its message. The film delivers a universal message about government corruption which would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a book about hungry teenagers in a game, it’s a strong reminder of an actor that achieved fame.

5. M*A*S*H

War movies are a genre of film that my uncle has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed bonds with an uncle that admired veterans with courage. He grew up to value movies capturing the hardships that WWII soldiers went through. As someone treasuring fond memories of an uncle that loved war movies about rash soldiers, I adored “M*A*S*H”. Released in 1970, Donald Sutherland’s movie offered a satirical depiction of the Korean War. In the most comical role of his career, Sutherland embodies a surgeon that assists soldiers in warfare facing despair. Sutherland has always had a sharp sense of humour, and his comedic talents are evident in “M*A*S*H”. For instance, the scene in which Hawkeye gets into doing the task of assisting soldiers is one of the funniest scenes of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “M*A*S*H” a great war movie is its bravery. Unlike most movies in the genre, it took a risk by tackling war from a comedic perspective. As strong as Hawkeye’s desire to participate in warfare, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that built a commemorated career making movies about which audiences care.

6. Don’t Look Now

Donald Sutherland was always one of those actors that excelled at playing grief-stricken characters. Sutherland built an image for playing conflicted characters facing emotional damage. Sutherland’s strength for capturing how grief affects people is clearly evident in his film “Don’t Look Now”. Released in 1973, Sutherland’s movie captured a couple struggling to cope with the loss of a child causing tragedy. In the most tragic role of his career, Sutherland embodies a tormented father struggling to cope with the loss of a child causing his marriage to face despair. It’s a role that gave Sutherland a chance to showcase his strength for playing grief-stricken characters. A heartbreaking depiction of grief tearing a family apart, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated actor whose timeless movies audiences consider to be art.

7. The Dirty Dozen

Over the past decade, the war movie genre has declined in quality. With their loud battle sequences, lacklustre storytelling and cartoonish characters, most war movies have become a chore to sit through. However, “The Dirty Dozen” stands out as an exception. Released in 1967, Donald Sutherland’s movie offered a beautiful portrait of WWII. In the most energetic role of his career, Sutherland embodied a comical soldier that becomes the victim of warfare causing despair. Sutherland showcased his aptitude for humour in one of the funniest performances of his career. It’s the first breakthrough role that established Sutherland as a great actor with a promising future. A powerful portrait of WWII, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that never lost his ability to captivate by making memorable movies audiences value.

8. JFK

Few presidents in American history are as beloved today as JFK. During the 1960’s, John F. Kennedy was a powerful politician that guided his country amidst adversities. However, in 1963 the president’s career ended when he was assassinated tragically. In 1991, Donald Sutherland honoured the memory of a president that passed away in his film “JFK”. In the most political role of his career, Sutherland embodies a politician investigating the murder of a president causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for stealing the show in a supporting role. Despite limited screen-time, Sutherland left a strong impression as a politician. Nearly 40 years after John F. Kennedy was assassinated in a crime politicians investigated, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose movies deserve to be celebrated.

9. Klute

Prostitution is a sensitive subject that’s rarely portrayed in movies with respect. Hollywood has often struggled to capture a profession that’s misunderstood. Prostitutes are always depicted as objects of sexual desire rather than real people with feelings. However, in 1971 Donald Sutherland tackled the controversial subject wearing a strong suit in his movie “Klute”. In the most provocative role of his career, Sutherland embodies a detective that develops a romantic affair with a prostitute that becomes a burden to bear. It’s a risky role that gave the actor an opportunity to step out of his comfort zone by playing a sexually provocative character. As memorable as murders Klute seeks to investigate, it’s a marvellous reminder of an actor that never lost his ability to captivate whose unforgettable movies audiences appreciate.

10. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2

Donald Sutherland didn’t always star in great movies that left audiences stunned. While most movies the actor made in his career turned out successful, others fell short. Unfortunately, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” falls into the latter group. Released in 2015, the final film in the Hunger Games franchise failed to celebrate literature. In the most forgettable role of his career, Sutherland embodied a political leader evoking fear. Sutherland brought charisma that proved to be the bright spot of an otherwise bad movie. “Mockingjay – Part 2” remains a worthy tribute to a legendary actor. As precious as mockingjay pins Katniss is wearing, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose engaging movies I will always treasure for inspiring my love of filmmaking months after his heartbreaking passing left the world mourning.