12 of the Best… Donald Sutherland Movies

Donald Sutherland 1935 – 2024
12 of the Best… Donald Sutherland Movies

The Dirty Dozen – Robert Aldrich – 1967

IMDb Rating: 7.7 – Decinemal Rating: 72


M*A*S*H – Robert Altman – 1970

IMDb Rating: 7.4 – Decinemal Rating: 74


Klute – Alan J Pakula – 1971

IMDb Rating: 7.1 – Decinemal Rating: 80


Don’t Look Now – Nicholas Roeg – 1973

IMDb Rating: 7.1 – Decinemal Rating: 79


Invasion of the Bodysnatchers – Philip Kaufman – 1978

IMDb Rating: 74 – Decinemal Rating: 71


National Lampoon’s Animal House – John Landis – 1978

IMDb Rating: 7.4 – Decinemal Rating: 65


Ordinary People – Robert Redford – 1980

IMDb Rating: 7.7 – Decinemal Rating: 73


JFK – Oliver Stone – 1991

IMDb Rating: 8.0 – Decinemal Rating: 81


Six Degrees of SeparationFred Schepisi – 1993

IMDb Rating: 6.8 – Decinimal Rating: 69


Cold Mountain – Anthony Minghella – 2003

IMDb Rating: 7.2 – Decinemal Rating: 73


Pride and Prejudice – Joe Wright – 2005

IMDb Rating: 7.8 – Decinemal Rating: 69


The Hunger Games – Gary Ross – 2013

IMDb Rating: 7.2 – Decinemal Rating: 71


Honourable Mentions: The ones that didn’t quite make the cut, but could easily be included.

Kelly’s Heroes – 1970

Johnny Got His Gun – 1971

1900 – 1976

Backdraft – 1991

Citizen X – 1995

The Pillars of the Earth – 2010

Ad Astra – 2019


Podcast Summary (created by Gemini AI)

Remembering Donald Sutherland: A Retrospective of His Career

  • Donald Sutherland, the acclaimed Canadian actor, passed away at the age of 88.
  • Sutherland had a diverse career, spanning various genres and leaving a lasting impact on the film industry.
  • This retrospective explores 12 of the best movies from his extensive filmography.

Career Journey of a Versatile Actor

  • The actor began his career in his 20s, playing quirky and comedic roles.
  • He transitioned to more serious roles in the 70s and 80s, with a brief hiatus in the 80s.
  • In the 90s and 2000s, he gained recognition for his powerful performances in dramatic roles until his passing.

Exploring the Career of a Prolific Actor

  • Discussing the career of a versatile actor with nearly 200 credits in TV and movies.
  • Known primarily for acting, with occasional ventures into producing and writing.
  • Younger audiences may recognize him from his role in The Hunger Games as Snow.

The Dirty Dozen: A Classic War Movie

  • The Dirty Dozen (1967) features an impressive cast of known actors, including Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, and Donald Sutherland.
  • The film follows a group of convicted criminals who are recruited for a dangerous mission during World War II.
  • Despite its mature themes and humor, the movie remains a classic war film.

Don Sutherland’s Notable Roles

  • Donald Sutherland’s performance in ‘The Dirty Dozen’ established him as a character actor.
  • Sutherland’s portrayal of ‘Hawkeye’ in the movie adaptation of ‘MASH’ brought him wider recognition.
  • Despite its age, ‘MASH’ remains enjoyable and impactful, capturing the essence of the medical drama / comedy.

Review of Two Classic 70s Movies

  • The TV show adaptation captures the wistfulness, likeable characters, and humor of the movie.
  • Klute (1971) is a stylish crime noir starring Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland.
  • Sutherland plays a detective investigating a case involving Fonda’s character.

Movie Review: Don’t Look Now

  • Don’t Look Now (1973) is more than a horror movie.
  • It’s about grieving parents haunted by their daughter’s death.
  • The film explores themes of loss, depression, and recovery.
  • The movie is about a small person dressed in a red raincoat who is chased by Donald Sutherland’s character, who believes she is his daughter reincarnated.

Remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers

  • The movie was not a big hit at the time, but has since become a cult classic.
  • The movie is a remake of the 1956 film Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and is set during the Cold War.

Sci-Fi and Comedy Movies from 1978

  • 1978 Sci-Fi movie about aliens replacing people’s bodies if they fall asleep.
  • Has a memorable ending scene that has become a meme.
  • In the same year, John Landis directed the comedy movie ‘National Lampoon’s Animal House’.

Donald Sutherland’s Career Transformation

  • 1978 college comedy film with Donald Sutherland in a notable role.
  • 1980 shift to drama with ‘Ordinary People’, directed by Robert Redford.
  • Struggle to enjoy ‘Ordinary People’ despite its critical acclaim and well-made nature.

Donald Sutherland’s Career Shift

  • Donald Sutherland’s acting career took a significant turn after starring alongside Mary Tyler Moore in ‘Ordinary People’.
  • He transitioned from a niche actor to a leading man, but faced a challenging 11-year gap due to unsatisfying roles.
  • Despite continuous work, Sutherland’s collaborations with top directors diminished during this period.

Donald Sutherland’s Performance in JFK

  • After a hiatus, Kevin Costner and Oliver Stone gave Sutherland a comeback in 1991 with JFK.
  • JFK is a long movie but it feels satisfying and dense with great writing and acting.
  • Donald Sutherland steals the show as a mysterious Black Ops general with a conspiracy theory.

Donald Sullivan’s Speech in JFK

  • Donald Sullivan’s speech in JFK is memorable for its gravitas and mystery.
  • His speech is a pivotal point in the film, driving the protagonist into solving the Kennedy assassination conspiracy.
  • Despite being a supporting role, it is considered one of his greatest achievements.

Review of the 1993 Drama Film ‘6° of Separation’

  • The film is a filmed version of a famous stage play.
  • It features a small cast, including Donald Sutherland and Will Smith, and focuses on a rollercoaster of emotions and intrigue.
  • Despite its static nature, the film is captivating due to its compelling story and narrative.

Cold Mountain: A Classic Epic Film

  • Cold Mountain is a visually stunning epic film released in 2003.
  • It features an all-star cast including Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, and Renee Zellweger.
  • Despite losing some of its charm over time, it remains an enjoyable and captivating watch.

Donald Sutherland’s Performance in Pride and Prejudice

  • Donald Sutherland’s scene-stealing performance as the reverend Monroe in Pride and Prejudice.
  • Joe Wright’s visually stunning adaptation of the classic novel.
  • The film’s gorgeous costume designs and scenery make it a pleasure to watch.

Donald Sutherland’s Role in Pride and Prejudice

  • Donald Sutherland plays the role of Mr. Bennet, a father figure in the movie.
  • He portrays a sympathetic and loving character that the audience can relate to.
  • Sutherland’s real-life personality as a supportive father to Kiefer Sutherland is reflected in his performance.

Donald Sutherland’s Notable Performances

  • Donald Sutherland’s performance in Pride and Prejudice (2005) is a must-see.
  • His portrayal of Snow in The Hunger Games series revitalized his career.
  • Sutherland’s acting skills, particularly his voice and cold eyes, shine in these roles.

Donald Sutherland’s Impact on the Hunger Games Series

  • Donald Sutherland’s consistent presence elevates the Hunger Games films.
  • Jennifer Lawrence’s performance is enhanced by Sutherland’s presence.
  • Sutherland’s role in the trilogy is pivotal and allows him to showcase his talent.

Remembering Donald Sutherland’s Versatile Career

  • Donald Sutherland’s demise in the third film was not justified and deviated from the books.
  • He excelled in various genres, including horror, safety, period pieces, and comedies.
  • Sutherland’s versatility and talent will be deeply missed, and he remains a beloved actor on both big and small screens.

Alternate Films

  • Alternate films that almost made the list include Ad Astra (2019), Backdraft (1991), Pillars of the Earth (TV mini-series), Johnny Got His Gun (1971), 1900 (1976), Kenny’s Heroes (1970), and Citizen X (1995).

Donald Sutherland’s Acting Career and Awards

  • Donald Sutherland won an Emmy for his role in ‘Citizen X’, but never won an Oscar despite deserving one.
  • He should have been nominated for an Oscar for his supporting role in ‘JFK’.
  • Sutherland’s filmography includes many undiscovered gems worth exploring.

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