So It Shall Be Written... So It Shall Be Done

[filkertom]

Sadness at the news that actor and activist Charlton Heston has passed away at the age of 84. Dude got very conservative the last years of his life, and did and said a number of things I don't agree with... but he also marched for civil rights, and was president of the Screen Actors Guild, and, oh yeah, made a bunch of movies we all love.

What are your favorite Heston roles and films? I haven't seen Ben-Hur in a long time, which I should definitely remedy. The Ten Commandments still pretty much defines the Epic Film. His Richelieu in The Three and Four Musketeers is almost visibly conniving and calculating with every breath. And Planet of the Apes still gets me right in the gut.

Comments

[joshbrown.livejournal.com]

Soylent Green is people!!!!!

[madamruppy.livejournal.com]

I forgot that in my post! I own that one too. I love his crap sci-fi movies.

[peachtales.livejournal.com]

Probably still Ben Hur.

[madamruppy.livejournal.com]

He did do some great movies - even the crappy ones were fun. I have all of the original Apes movies (I know he wasn't in all but they are awesome) and Omega Man in my collection. Like you I didn't always agree with his politics but he was agreat actor and will be missed.

[joshuwain.livejournal.com]

Actually, his small part in Brannaugh's Hamlet was truly memorable. I really was blown away by his oratory. Conservative views aside, he was a brilliant actor!

[drzarron.livejournal.com]

Hear Hear.. he ROCKED the part..

[drzarron.livejournal.com]

Wow.. hard choice.

Overall, I like "Ben-Hur", but the "Ten Commandments" is pretty damn cool, but not so much for Chuck.. Yul Breener owns the film. "Omega Man" rocks. His best role was in "Touch of Evil".

For me, "Soylent Green" will always be special for me.

And.. of course.. APES!

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

[stargull.livejournal.com]

His best comedy role for me will still be his tenure as president of the NRA. :rolls eyes:

As far as film roles: the head of the acting troupe in "Hamlet" and his performance in "Touch of Evil" are both great.

-CSJ

[alymid.livejournal.com]

My family has a tradition of watching the 10 Commandments and MST3King it. It is surely the film of his that I have the most nostalgic fondness for.

[mythdude.livejournal.com]

The 10 Commandments. It's my favorite by far of all his movies.

[singlemaltsilk.livejournal.com]

I have to go with Will Penny. Heston's portrayal of an aging, illiterate cowboy who sees his way of life disappearing around him is understated and beautifully played. The role of Penny called for a genuine actor, not just a movie star, and Heston delivered the goods.

[sarekofvulcan.livejournal.com]

For some reason, that reminds me of Wayne's The Shootist. Art imitating life indeed...

[bryanp.livejournal.com]

The Ten Commandments and Planet of the Apes are still my favorites. Others are quite good.

Not even touching the politics.

Rest well sir. If by some chance I turn out to be wrong and there is something beyond mortal death I look forward to greeting you one day.

[sffilk.livejournal.com]

Definitely Ten Commandments. I watch it every year.

[james-the-evil1.livejournal.com]

Those damn dirty apes :-(

[realinterrobang.livejournal.com]

Don't include everyone in the set "loves movies with Charlton Heston."

[admnaismith.livejournal.com]

Bowling for Columbine.

[kinsfire.livejournal.com]

Ah yes. A delightful mock-umentary.

Part of the proof of how Moore screwed with things was the Heston footage - some of his 'damning statements' were made BEFORE Columbine, or quite some time after, not in response to it, as Moore wanted to make people believe.

[dan-ad-nauseam.livejournal.com]

I remember a plaster saint documentary on MLK in which they chose to interview Heston as a representative of Hollywood participation in civil rights. His memory of the experience shows that he clearly missed the point. It was basically a "how wonderful that here in America we can do this" response.

[jcw-da-dmg.livejournal.com]

I loved his bit in the TV show Friends, in which he told Joey that the one thing he must never do as an actor is to "break into my dressing room and use my shower".

[batyatoon]

I'm afraid The Ten Commandments makes me giggle more than anything else, but it is the role I most strongly associate with Charlton Heston.

[aota.livejournal.com]

When it comes to Heston he wasn't one of those people who had a small presence in any movie he was in. No matter how small the part he had he was able to make it an important part. For me Planet of the Apes is his most memorable.

[looniebin.livejournal.com]

Wayne's World 2?

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

Well, NOW they can pry that rifle away from him.

[jss]

Eh, it's been done.

[judifilksign.livejournal.com]

Loved Ben Hur. Had to get it out of the library to show my children the great chariot race after we saw Episode I of Star Wars, and it's blow by blow ripoff, I mean homage to that gripping race.

[tomreedtoon.livejournal.com]

Heston's best role for me - the only one I own on video - is Miguel Vargas, the incorruptible Mexican narcotics cop who took down Orson Welles in Touch of Evil. One of the best noir cop movies ever made.

By the way, Tom, sorry I couldn't make it out to your concert. I was doing a mercy mission with my friend Deb that Saturday, replacing the ballasts in the fluorescent lights of a lady who couldn't afford an electrician to do it. I guess it was the right thing to do; I found out after I finished that I had turned off the wrong circuit breaker. I worked on the wiring hot. And didn't die. Maybe karma works.

Hope you guys had a good time. It was a miserable rainy day in Orlando...hopefully you had good A/C and good eats where you were.

[bayushisan.livejournal.com]

For me it would have to be Ten Commandments and Planet of the Apes. Both were astounding movies that had a huge impact in how I look at the world.

[hitchkitty.livejournal.com]

Get your paws off my people, you damn dirty Pharaoh!