Today marks Summer Solstice 2024, but it’s a somber day for movie lovers everywhere with the passing of acting legend Donald Sutherland.
Known for his versatile performances in movies like M*A*S*H, Ordinary People, Don’t Look Now, and The Hunger Games, he passed away at the age of 88. He died in Miami on Thursday after battling a long illness. I love this sweet tribute from his son Kiefer, posted on X:
With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away. I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more… pic.twitter.com/3EdJB03KKT
— Kiefer Sutherland (@RealKiefer) June 20, 2024
This headline from an Indiewire article: An Actor Who Appeared in Every Genre Imaginable—and Made Each His Own is absolutely spot-on. He was a versatile actor, excelling in both big-budget action flicks and thought-provoking artsy films. He was praised as one of the greatest actors of his time, seamlessly transitioning between genres and captivating audiences with his performances. Despite never winning a competitive Oscar, Sutherland received an honorary statuette from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in November 2017 at the Governors Awards.
My familiarity with Mr. Sutherland is mostly through his supporting roles, i.e. Ordinary People, JFK, Backdraft, The Italian Job, and of course, in the Hunger Games franchise as the icy villain President Coriolanus Snow. But as a big fan of period dramas, it’s his role as Mr. Bennet in Joe Wright’s Pride & Prejudice that I shall remember fondly forever.
It’s one of my all-time favorite father-daughter relationships portrayed on screen, which I talked about in this post nearly a decade ago. I LOVE this quote when Lizzie asks for his blessing to marry Mr. Darcy:
I can’t believe that anyone can deserve you. It seems I am overruled. So, I hardly give my consent. I could have not parted with you my Lizzy to anyone less worthy.
Sutherland’s portrayal is so genuinely moving, his zen attitude is such an intriguing contrast to Brenda Blethyn‘s frazzled and shameless Mrs. Bennet. He’s a compassionate and empathetic father to his five daughters and is such a patient husband to his exasperating wife. There are SO many wonderfully memorable scenes in this classic Jane Austen adaptation, but this tender scene between Sutherland and Keira Knightley‘s Lizzie is one of my favorites.
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There’s so many performances that I love. Whether it’s films like M.A.S.H., Don’t Look Now, Ordinary People, Backdraft, JFK, Animal House, 1900, Fellini’s Casanova, Pride & Prejudice, Space Cowboys, Without Limits. The man is someone that will never be replicated. This has been a sad few days overall with the passing of Willie Mays, Anouk Aimee, and No Wave artist James Chance. These legends all have to go but man, they left something great behind. There’s one film that I’m sure not many have seen but I really think is worth seeking out in Forsaken which he co-starred with his son Keifer as well as Demi Moore and Brian Cox in this low-key western. It is a gem of a film as Donald and Keifer together really did something special in this film as it’s an underrated film.
Well said, Steven! It’s always sad to see a legend passing even though they are of age.
Oh I just looked up FORSAKEN https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2271563/?ref_=nm_flmg_c_23_act Fortunately it’s available on Freeve and Prime Video! I love a good Western and I haven’t seen him act with his son Kiefer. Thanks for the recommendation!
I feel like I’ve seen him in every movie that he appeared in even though I didn’t. He’s been in so much movies. He’s very similar to Gene Hackman, he’s believable as a good guy and a nasty villain. The last movie that he appeared in that I liked was Ad Astra, Brad Pitt’s very underrated sci-fi drama.
His films of the 70s are the more memorable to me: The Dirty Dozen, Kelly’s Heroes, Don’t Look Now, National Lampoon’s Animal House, The Great Train Robbery and Invasion of the Body Snatchers. In the 80s and 90s, his star power kind of waning down and he appeared in random movies. To me, he’s more memorable as Stallone’s nemesis in Lock Up in 1989. In the 90s JFK, Outbreak, Fallen and A Time To Kill were some of movies that enjoyed.
He’s had a great career and may he rest in peace.
Yes, I think you’re right about him being similar to Gene Hackman. Consistently excellent and can play good/bad guys effortlessly. I still haven’t seen Ad Astra but now I’m adding a list of his films to watch so thanks for all the recommendations.
Don’t Look Now seems terrifying based on a few clips and reviews, but I’m adding The Great Train Robbery + A Time To Kill to my list as well as Forsaken that Steven recommended. I have seen JFK and Outbreak. Yeah he’s such a prolific actor!
Agreed. His understated roles like in Ad Astra were pleasure to watch and always enjoyed. Remarkable performer.
A remarkably versatile performer and who was underrated for most of his career. May he rest in peace.
Hello Michael! Always glad to see you here. May he rest in peace indeed.
Eye of the Needle (1981). Romance, Thriller, War.
A ruthless German spy, trying to get out of Britain with vital information about D-Day, must spend time with a young woman and her crippled husband. Based on the novel of the same name by Ken Follett.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082351/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_eye%2520of%2520the%2520needle
Superb film!
Hey Becky, how are you? Looks like you posted a duplicate comment so I removed the other one. Oooh Eye of the Neede sounds like right up my alley so thanks for recommending that.
I love spy romance thriller!
Hey, I’m good, thanks! Yep, some how it went in twice… You won’t remember but I told you about EOTN a LONG time ago since it has all the elements you like in a film. I think it’s much underrated. Hope you watch it, I even think Ivan would like it, let me know what you think if you do.
Seconded.
I’ve added it to my watch list! Glad it’s available to watch on streaming, thanks guys!
Great tribute to a legendary actor. I was a huge fan of Donald Sutherland and can’t accept the fact that he has passed away. He brought such a larger-than-life presence to every role. I think you hit the nail on the head by discussing his versatility. He was one of those rare actors that could excel in every genre. I admire his performance in “Pride and Prejudice” as well. However, my favorite performance of all-time from Donald Sutherland is his extraordinary turn in “Ordinary People”. He is so good at using expressions to capture the grief of a father mourning loss of his son. Truly an outstanding actor that will forever be sorely missed from Cinema.
Here’s why I loved “Ordinary People”:
Hello Hassan, hope you are well. “He brought such a larger-than-life presence to every role” Absolutely! It’s a sign of a truly great actor that he manages to be memorable no matter how small the role.
It’s been ages since I saw Ordinary People… interesting you brought it up as I just saw Timothy Hutton in the Brat Pack documentary BRATS.
Thanks for the feedback Ruth. Ordinary People is worth a rewatch. Sutherland is absolutely extraordinary in the movie. It is a hard watch though due towards its depressing subject matter. One of the most heartbreaking films ever made.
Sutherland always shined in every role no matter how small the part. I watched “The Hunger Games” a few weeks ago and was blown away by the actor in that film as well.
Yeah I might rewatch it at some point, though I’m trying to catch up on a few movies he did that I haven’t seen, thanks to the recommendations on this post.
Sutherland was definitely memorable in The Hunger Games, he added such gravitas to that franchise.
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This is a lovely tribute to a great actor, Ruth!
My favourite part he played? That’s hard to say.
Maybe.. Attila Mellanchini in 1900.
It wasn’t the lead role, but you know the saying “there are no small parts, only small actors“. He was not a small actor.
Oh I need to add 1900 to my list of Donald Sutherland films I’ve missed! What a cast in that one, wow!!
That saying is very true, and Mr. Sutherland exemplifies that so perfectly.
It’s a bit of a dark movie, but excellent!
I don’t mind dark, so long as it’s not gratuitously gory. I doubt that is the case with this one, thanks for the recommendation, Resa!
P.S. I reviewed Tokyo Vice S2, I absolutely love that show, even better than the first!
Ahhh! I’m heading over. YES! S 2 was crazy good!
I remember hearing about this, my first reaction was wait he was still alive?