The beloved actor was an Oscar-winning great and was widely known for his intense Shakespeare adaptations, both as a director and an actor. Laurence Olivier first came to prominence as a stage actor after a series of acclaimed performances but went on to become a formidable talent in front of the camera.
After his death in 1989, the Society of West End Theatre Awards were renamed in his memory as the Olivier Awards. Here are the top 10 Laurence Olivier movies ranked by critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
10. Sleuth (1972)
89% critics rating
This mystery based on the renowned play by Anthony Shaffer, finds Andrew Wyke (Laurence Olivier), a wealthy author of detective novels and game aficionado, facing off against his wife’s lover, Milo Tindle (Michael Caine), a middle-class hair salon-owner. The film deals with themes of masculinity, class and dominance. Both Olivier and Caine were nominated for the Best Actor Academy Award among many others.
9. Spartacus (1960)
94% critics rating
The rebellious Spartacus, born and raised a slave, is sold to Gladiator trainer Batiatus. After weeks of being trained to kill for the arena, Spartacus turns on his owners and leads the other slaves in rebellion with an aim to make it to southern Italy, where they would cross the sea and return to their homes. Many believe, despite its many remakes, that this version of Spartacus, directed by Stanley Kubrick, is the best. It picked up four Oscars and a Golden Globe.
8. Hamlet (1948)
96% critics rating
This is Olivier at his most inspired – both as director and as the melancholy leading man himself – as he breathes new life into the words of one of the world’s greatest dramatists. Hamlet explores themes of morality and questions the current way of life. Winner of four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor, Olivier’s Hamlet continues to be the most compelling version of Shakespeare’s beloved tragedy.
7. Wuthering Heights (1939)
96% critics ratings
In this adaptation of the classic Emily Bronte novel set in 19th-century England, wealthy young Cathy Earnshaw, played by Merle Oberon, shares a loving bond with Heathcliff, played by Laurence Olivier, a poor childhood friend who now works in her stables. Unfortunately, things become complicated when the affluent Edgar Linton, played by David Niven decides to pursue Cathy. Although the film had many nominations, it only picked up the Oscar for Best Cinematography.
6. Rebecca (1940)
98% critics ratings
Rebecca is the story of a young woman who marries a fascinating widower only to find out that she must live in the shadow of his former wife, Rebecca, who died several years earlier. The young wife must come to grips with the terrible secret of her handsome, cold husband, Max De Winter (Laurence Olivier). Rebecca has a haunting atmosphere, Gothic thrills and gripping suspense. It won the Oscar for Best Picture at the 1941 ceremony.
5. Khartoum (1966)
100% critics ratings
In Sudan, from 1884 to 1885, Egyptian forces led by British General Charles “Chinese” Gordon, played by Charlton Heston, defend Khartoum against an invading Muslim Army led by a religious fanatic, Mohammed Ahmed el Mahdi, played by Olivier. Despite being heavily nominated, the film did not pick up any major awards.
4. That Hamilton Woman (1941)
100% critics ratings
When small-town courtesan Emma Hart, played by Vivien Leigh, finds herself married to British Ambassador Sir William Hamilton, played by Alan Mowbray, her world is flipped upside down. Just as Emma is finally settling into her new life as Lady Hamilton, she meets a British naval hero, played by Olivier, and the two fall in love. But the looming shadow of the Napoleonic Wars threatens their romance. That Hamilton Woman won the Academy Award for Best Sound Recording.
3. The War Requiem (1988)
100% critics ratings
This experimental film synthesises the poetry of Wilfred Owen, wordless reenactments of events from Owen’s life, stock footage of 20th-century wars and music by composer Benjamin Britten. During World War I, British soldier Owen, played by Nathaniel Parker, is horrified by the examples of cruelty around him in the trenches. He combats these awful images by keeping hope in his love for an army nurse, played by Tilda Swinton. This was Olivier’s last acting appearance before his death in 1989.
2. Henry V (1946)
100% critics ratings
Olivier’s masterful, sweeping rendition of Shakespeare, was filmed in rich colour and cleverly including a typical performance at the Globe Theatre as it might have been seen 400 years prior. Olivier earned a special Oscar for outstanding achievement as actor, producer and director on this film.
1. Pride and Prejudice (1940)
100% critics ratings
In the early 19th century in the English village of Meryton, wealthy bachelors, most notably Mr Darcy (Olivier), stir up the families with single daughters upon their arrivals. Among those is the Bennet family, with five eligible daughters, including the spirited Elizabeth, played by Greer Garson, and her older sister, Jane, played by Maureen O’Sullivan. The charming film received an Academy Award for Best Art Direction.