Not many actors earned appreciation of Michael Gambon. Since the 1980’s, Gambon has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s magical teachers, suspects of murders or majestic royal figures, Gambon portrayed several characters. However, in 2023 the actor’s career came to a closure when he passed away. His death left the world mourning. Listed below are my favourite films made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter is a magical series of books that shaped my identity. The story about misunderstood boys who lived has been part of my childhood. I recall memories reading J.K. Rowling’s series during my childhood influencing identity. I instantly fell in love with a book series capturing wizards casting powerful spells with timeless stories to tell. In 2004, Michael Gambon honoured the magical series of which I’ve always been a huge fan in his movie “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”. In the greatest role of his career, Gambon portrayed a wise headmaster of a wizard school seeking to guide students facing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Gambon has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with sympathetic personalities in British period pieces. With “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by making his first Harry Potter movie. Working alongside Emma Watson who is also amazing, Gambon honoured a series about wizards that’s spellbinding. For instance, the scene in which Dumbledore gives a speech at the first day of Hogwarts seeking to prepare students for Dementors causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” Michael Gambon’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies in the Harry Potter series, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about finding one’s identity which would resonate with everyone. A fantastic adaptation of a famous book about a magical wizard with unforgettable stories to tell, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor whose great movies cast a powerful spell.
2. The King’s Speech
King George VI is a legendary figure of the royal family that impressed my father. At an early age, I formed strong relationships with a father appreciating a king with speech impediments causing damage. My father was inspired by how the king overcame speech disabilities to guide Britain towards victory. In 2010, Michael Gambon honoured the king with speech disabilities in his movie “The King’s Speech”. In the most majestic role of his career, Gambon portrayed a dying king seeking to prepare children for warfare. Gambon has always had an aptitude for playing powerful British figures in positions of authority, and “The King’s Speech” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Colin Firth who is also amazing, Gambon honoured a legendary king. For instance, the scene in which King George V gives his son valuable advice on how to prepare a speech with his disability causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The King’s Speech” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about the royal family targeted towards a limited audience, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. A spectacular portrait of a king that suffered from speech disability causing life to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that manufactured great movies audiences appreciate.
3. Judy
Judy Garland is a legendary performer that always impressed my mother. During my childhood, I formed strong bonds with a mother appreciating a classic actress in old Hollywood. She would always praise an actress whose classic movies shaped her identity. In 2019, Michael Gambon honoured the legendary actress that built a lasting legacy in his movie “Judy”. In the most theatrical role of his career, Gambon portrayed a renowned Russian actor facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a renowned Russian performer that’s well-known. Working alongside Renee Zellweger who is also outstanding, Gambon honoured an iconic actress that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Bernard first meets Judy Garland expressing awe of the actress’ rare abilities is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Judy” a great biopic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about Hollywood movie-stars, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. A marvellous tribute towards a legendary movie-star that achieved fame somewhere over the rainbow years ago, it’s a magnificent reminder of a legendary actor that produced memorable movies giving audiences dreams to follow.
4. Gosford Park
Housekeepers are powerful figures that shape families. At an early age, I developed a strong bond with a housekeeper that delivered an inspiring message. A housekeeper that was dedicated to performing every chore, she was a person that my family came to adore. She was a devoted housemaid that was dedicated to doing her job regardless of how much money she was paid. As someone treasuring fond memories of a housekeeper with a bright spark, I appreciated “Gosford Park”. Released in 2001, Michael Gambon’s movie did an excellent job of depicting housekeepers facing murder investigations. In the most tragic role of his career, Gambon portrayed the wealthy owner of a mansion facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role. Working alongside Maggie Smith who is also outstanding, Gambon created a murder mystery that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Sir William is murdered causing his house guests to face despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Gosford Park” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about social class resonating with everyone. As precious as Gosford Park, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with a bright spark that made memorable movies leaving a lasting mark.
5. The Insider
Tobacco is a serious addiction causing danger that affected my grandfather. Several years ago, my grandfather suffered from severe addiction to cigarettes causing sorrow. Unable to quit smoking, his mental health began declining. No matter how hard he tried, my grandfather could never give up an addiction giving him pride. As someone treasuring a grandfather that was a smoker, I appreciated “The Insider”. Released in 1999, Michael Gambon’s movie honoured a whistleblower that exposed tobacco. In the most political role of his career, Gambon portrayed a real-life politician that became involved in a tobacco lawsuit causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone playing a renowned political figure that’s well-known. Working alongside Russell Crowe who is also outstanding, Gambon honoured a whistleblower that exposed secrets years ago. For instance, the scene in which Thomas Sandefur defends his tobacco company is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Insider” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about addiction which would resonate with everyone. 30 years after an insider exposed the tobacco causing consequences that are painful, it’s a powerful reminder of an actor audiences consider special.
6. The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover
Michael Gambon always excelled at playing strong characters in positions of power. Gambon built an image of being an actor that thrived at playing larger-than-life characters with courage. Gambon’s strength for playing characters in positions of power is evident in his movie “The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover”. Released in 1989, Peter Greenaway’s movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most violent role of his career, Gambon portrayed a gangster seeking to destroy a restaurant causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase aptitude for playing conflicted characters in danger. Working alongside Helen Mirren who is also amazing, Gambon created a gangster that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of an affair, it’s a riveting reminder of a rare actor that made great movies about which audiences care.
7. Fantastic Mr. Fox
Few filmmakers in Hollywood have earned appreciation of Wes Anderson. With their quirky characters, sharp sense of humour and compelling storytelling, Anderson’s movies have earned a huge fan following. In 2009, Anderson showcased his strengths as a filmmaker when he cast Michael Gambon in his movie “Fantastic Mr. Fox”. In the most animated role of his career, Gambon portrayed a farmer seeking to find a missing fox causing despair. It’s a commemorated role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for creating compelling animated characters through his voice. Through captivating voice-work, Gambon created a character that’s compelling. As strong as Mr. Fox’s desire to be fantastic, it’s a terrific reminder of a celebrated actor that made an iconic legacy making commemorated movies which captivated the public.
8. Paddington
When it comes to the most beloved characters in British literature, it’s worth discussing the Paddington Bear. Since his creation in 1958, Michael Bond’s commemorated bear has been loved by children. In 2014, Michael Gambon honoured the bear with affection in her movie “Paddington”. In the most compassionate role of his career, Gambon portrayed a businessman seeking to care for a teddy bear causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase emotional vulnerability he hadn’t shown in his career before. Working alongside Sally Hawkins who is also amazing, Gambon honoured a teddy bear that’s inspiring. A captivating tribute towards a teddy bear that’s childish, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated actor that managed to accomplish great feats by manufacturing movies which audiences cherish.
9. The Wings of the Dove
Few books ever written that readers love are as beloved as “The Wings of the Dove”. Since its publication in 1902, Henry James’ book has become a classic readers value. With its compelling characters, engaging storytelling and timely themes, the book earned a following. In 1997, Michael Gambon honoured the beloved book readers love in his film “The Wings of Dove”. In the most wise role of his career, Gambon portrayed an aging patriarch struggling to care for daughter facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing wise mentors. Working alongside Helena Bonham Carter who is also amazing, Gambon honoured a book that’s inspiring. A wonderful adaptation of a famous book about wings of dove, it’s a breathtaking reminder about an actor that produced unforgettable movies audiences love.
10. Mobsters
Michael Gambon hasn’t always made great movies earning recognition. While most movies the actor has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Mobsters” falls into the latter category. Released in 1991, Michael Karbelnikoff’s movie was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Gambon portrayed a mobster engaging in a life of crime causing despair. Gambon brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Mobsters” is a bad movie, it honoured Gambon’s legacy. As strong as Don Faranzano’s desire to become a gangster that’s intimidating, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary actor that made captivating movies which I will forever treasure for shaping my love of filmmaking a year after his heartbreaking passing left the world mourning.
The Film Buff 