Sir Michael Caine has been nothing if not prolific throughout his career. The legendary actor has made over 130 movies and crammed numerous TV appearances in during his time as a screen icon.
He has had his fair share of turkeys but a huge amount of classics punctuate his CV. While compiling a top ten of his work is tricky all metrics show that Jaws: The Revenge doesn’t trouble it. Surprisingly neither does his breakthrough movie Alfie whch, although a bit dated in fashions and attitudes, still holds up. Nor does a personal favourite California Suite (although it hovers just outside of the top ten). But, based on reviews, box office and a bit of personal taste, here is his top ten which features some pretty impressive titles.
10. Educating Rita (1983)
Personally I feel this should be higher on the list as it marked a significant transition for Michael. This adaptation of Willy Russell’s stage play marked his transition to a dramatic actor of substance. His middle-aged, jaded alcoholic Open University professor is nuanced and relateable and the checmistry he shares with Julie Walters is magnificent.
9. The Muppets Christmas Carol (1992)
A personal favourite that would be number one if the list was totally based on my personal taste this showed Michael embracing the cult of The Muppets and treating it like Shakespeare. While The Muppets TV show attracted huge stars doing a movie with puppets was frowned upon by most A-listers. However Michael had no such snobbery and his commitment to the role coupled with the sheer genius and magic of Jim Henson’s creations makes for fantastic festive fare that has become a beloved Christmas classic.
8. Mona Lisa (1986)
Michael slipped down the credits for this hard hitting acclaimed drama which saw him play third fiddle to Bob Hoskins and Cathy Tyson. His role as sleazy pimp Mortwell is thoroughly memorable in its sheer nastiness and completely elevates an already excellent film.
7. The Man Who Would Be King (1975)
This doesn’t feature on any of my personal lists but is very highly regarded by critics and other fans so it makes the top ten. His double act with Sean Connery is impressive and both actors give their all. this was originally intended as a vehicle for Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart and would have been a very different movie with that casting.
6. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
Michael won his first Oscar as Best Supoorting Actor in this Woody Allen classic playing Elliot a man so disgusted by the nceness of Mia Farrow’s Hannah he has an affair with an immediate family member. While the accent is dodgy to say the least he does manage to convey a vulnerabilty which no doubt made the Academy sit up and take notice.
5. Sleuth (1972)
Teamed with the legendary Sir Laurence Olivier, Michale really upped the ante and held his own playing a cocky hairdresser competing with Laurence’s jealous crime writer to see who can freak the other out the most.
4. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)
Michael has had some amazing on screen partners but he never seemed to have as much fun with anyone as he did with Steve Martin. He was perfectly cast as a Riviera-based swindler who latches on to rich women to con them out of their cash. You can see the twist ending coming a mile away but it doesn’t detract from the overall hilarity of the movie.
3. Batman Begins 2005
This should really read The Dark Knight Trilogy as Michael breathes new life into a legendary character – Bruce Wayne/Batman’s butler Alfred. It introduced hom to a whole new generation of fans and has become the defining performance of the character with every other actor who undertakes the role borrowing heavily from him.
2. The Italian Job (1969)
It is difficult to leave this era-defining movie off any top ten list of Michael’s movies. He was perfectly cast as ganster Charlie Croker, the upstart bank robber who plans an overseas multimillion-pound heist. He played brilliantly off the ensemble cast and the literal cliffhanger ending has gone down in movie lore. A 2003 remake with Mark Whalberg taking over his role proved if something isn’t broken it doesn’t need fixing as it failed to capture the imagination in the same way.
1. The Ipcress File (1965)
while Alfie is credited as Michael’s breakthrough movie this is the film which turned him into a star. Playing his iconic Harry Palmer character for the first time he became a cultural icon. Less polished and more forthrght than James Bond the character captured the public’s imagination. Michael would play the character five times in tital but would never quite top this debut outing.