Richard Griffiths’ Greatest Movies Ranked

Not many actors in Britain built a legacy as strong as Richard Griffiths. Since his rise to fame during the 1980’s, Griffiths made memorable movies. Whether it’s strict parental figures, political leaders or police officers, Griffiths portrayed several characters. However, in 2013 Griffiths’ career was cut tragically short when he passed away. Listed below are my favourite films made by a British actor that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Harry Potter is a magical book series impacting my identity. The story about misunderstood boys who lived has always been a big part of my childhood. I recall fond memories of reading J.K. Rowling’s great series during my childhood that impacted my identity. I instantly fell in love with great literature capturing wizards casting powerful spells with timeless stories to tell. In 2001, Richard Griffiths honoured well-known books about magical wizards in his movie “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”. In the greatest role of his career, the actor portrayed a strict uncle struggling taking care of magical boys with powers causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Griffiths has spent most of his career playing sympathetic heroes in British blockbusters. With “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”, however, the actor took huge steps out of his comfort zone by playing a literary character that’s well-known. Working alongside Daniel Radcliffe who is also outstanding, Griffiths honoured a book series about wizards that are spellbinding. For instance, the scene in which Uncle Vernon becomes aware that Harry is a wizard after being informed by Hagrid causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” Richard Griffiths’ best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies in the Harry Potter series, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to.  Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the fantasy book series to appreciate it. A bold start of a franchise about wizards that are magical, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor that made memorable movies audiences consider extremely special.

2. Hugo

As far back as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to become a filmmaker. From an early age, I’ve been drawn towards the magic of the moving image as an art-form with power to deliver a message. During childhood, I developed a passion for writing about movies that I found engaging. As someone that developed a passion for Cinema years ago, I adored “Hugo”. Released in 2011, Richard Griffiths’ movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about filmmaking. In the most scene-stealing role of his career, Griffiths portrayed a passenger stranded in a Paris train station facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside Ben Kingsley who is also outstanding, Griffiths created an engaging portrait of filmmaking. For instance, the scene in which Monsieur Frick introduces his new dog to a neighbour sparking a romantic affair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Hugo” a masterpiece is its message. It delivers a meaningful message about importance of following one’s dreams which would resonate with everyone. As strong as machines built by Hugo Cabret, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that produced unforgettable movies that definitely deserve to be celebrated today.

3. Gandhi

Gandhi is a great historical figure that shaped my grandmother’s identity. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a grandma that adored a political leader in India. My grandmother always spoke fondly about a political leader that changed Indian history. In 1982, Richard Griffiths honoured the iconic leader that changed India in his movie “Gandhi”. In the most historical role of his career, Griffiths portrayed a politician that formed a close friendship with Gandhi during an era of warfare. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a historical figure that’s well-known. Working alongside Ben Kingsley who is also outstanding, Griffiths created a portrait of Gandhi that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Collins first meets Gandhi becoming aware of the political leader’s power is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Gandhi” a great biopic is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with India’s history to appreciate it. The film delivers a profound message about hope which would resonate with everyone. An incredible tribute towards an iconic political leader that forever changed India, it’s an insightful reminder about a commemorated actor with charisma that has manufactured memorable movies which attract audiences towards Cinema.

4. Chariots of Fire

Running is an engaging activity that I have always enjoyed doing. A strong way of calming anxiety, running is an effective strategy I have often used to cope with life adversity. As someone that has grown up to admire the activity of running, I adored “Chariots of Fire”. Released in 1981, Richard Griffith’s movie depicted lives of marathon runners in the Olympics. In the most athletic role of his career, Griffiths portrayed a businessman that bets money on runners in a competition causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase comedic timing he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Ian Holm who is also amazing, Griffiths created a running drama that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Porter seeks to prepare for his first running marathon is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Chariots of Fire” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about marathon running, it tackles commemorated themes which everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about determination which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Eric’s desire to become a successful runner, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a legendary actor that has manufactured unforgettable movies throughout his commemorated career which audiences always will deeply treasure.

5. About Time

Childhood crushes are lovers that rarely last forever. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl with big dreams of marriage. However, fate caused our strong bond to deteriorate. Years later, I would wonder if I would still be in contact with my crush if I could time travel. As someone treasuring a childhood crush that I lost over time, I adored “About Time”. Released in 2013, Richard Griffiths’ movie offered a beautiful exploration of romantic relationships affected by time travel. In the most brief role of his career, Griffiths portrayed a stage actor seeking to prepare a production causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase talent for delivering theatrical monologues he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Rachel McAdams who is also amazing, Griffiths created a time travel movie that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which the performer seeks to prepare for a play is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “About Time” a classic is its appeal. Unlike most time travel movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. A powerful portrayal of time travel causing romance to crumble, it’s a bold reminder about an actor making movies in his career which people always consider special.

6. Withnail and I

Richard Griffiths has always excelled at playing emotional characters under pressure. Griffiths has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing emotional characters facing damage. Griffiths’ strength for playing heroes facing obstacles that terrify in evident in his movie “Withnail and I”. Released in 1987, Bruce Robinson’s movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most conflicted role of his career, Griffiths portrayed an aging uncle seeking to care for a family facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional heroes under pressure. Working alongside Richard E. Grant who is also amazing, Griffiths created a drama that’s engaging. As strong as Withnail’s love for performing, it’s a riveting reminder of a celebrated actor manufacturing engaging movies that are worth definitely celebrating.

7. Sleepy Hollow

Few filmmakers in Hollywood have earned recognition of Tim Burton. With their engaging themes, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, Burton’s movies have earned a huge fan following. In 1999, Burton showcased his strengths as a filmmaker when he cast Richard Griffiths in his movie “Sleepy Hollow”. In the most eccentric role of his career, Griffiths portrayed a nobleman facing warfare. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing strange characters engaging in eccentric behaviour. Working alongside Johnny Depp who is also amazing, Griffiths created a gothic movie that’s compelling. As precious as the village of Sleepy Hollow, it’s a spectacular reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured unforgettable movies throughout his impressive career giving audiences massive dreams to frequently follow.

8. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

When it comes to the greatest sci-fi books ever written about a galaxy, it’s worth discussing The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Since its introduction in 1978, Douglas Adams’ sci-fi series has earned a huge following. In 2005, Richard Griffiths honoured the series about a galaxy in his movie “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”. In the most technical role of his career, Griffiths portrayed a monstrous creature seeking to prepare for galactic warfare. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase talent for creating compelling motion-capture characters. Working alongside Martin Freeman who is also amazing, Griffiths created a sci-fi movie that’s engaging. A great adaptation of a book about galaxies in space, it’s a grand reminder of a commemorated actor that has made memorable movies which audiences always embrace.

9. The French Lieutenant’s Woman

The French Lieutenant’s Woman is a legendary book that has built a strong reputation. Since its publication in 1969, John Fowles’ book has become a beloved literary classic. In 1981, Richard Griffiths honoured the iconic book about a lieutenant’s woman in his movie “The French Lieutenant’s Woman”. In the most romantic role of his career, Griffiths portrayed a man engaging in a doomed love affair causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase a romantic side to himself that audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Meryl Streep who is also amazing, Griffiths created a romantic drama that’s captivating. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about a lieutenant, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that made unforgettable movies transforming into a legendary icon in modern entertainment.

10. Bedtime Stories

Richard Griffiths hasn’t always made great movies earning recognition. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Bedtime Stories” falls into the latter category. Released in 2008, Adam Shankman’s family drama was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, the actor portrayed a school teacher seeking to prepare bedtime stories for children facing despair. Griffiths brought his commemorated charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Bedtime Stories” is a bad movie, it honoured Griffiths’ legacy. As memorable as bedtime stories Skeeter tells with wisdom, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary actor that achieved stardom manufacturing memorable movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to achieve dreams of film criticism.