One actor. Two film roles. You tell us which portrayal was the best. The most memorable. Or iconic. Or simply your favorite.
But before you pass judgment, a few words defending the “character” of each…
The case for Jim Malone
Connery took third billing behind Kevin Costner and Robert De Niro in The Untouchables. The movie made a star of Costner and De Niro chewed scenery as the larger-than-life Al Capone. But it was Connery who ended up stealing the show. His incorruptible Irish beat cop character was a great mentor to Costner’s Eliot Ness, teaching him how to do things “the Chicago way” and pointedly asking “what are you prepared to do?” to put Capone behind bars. Though it was a supporting part, nobody walked out of the movie theater forgetting Sean’s incomparable performance. It was for this secondary role that Sean Connery won his long overdue Oscar—indeed, the only nomination he ever received from the Academy—for Best Supporting Actor.
The case for Marko Raimius
Tom Clancy’s first novel, The Hunt for Red October, was successfully adapted for the silver screen starring Sean Connery as Marko Ramius. It wasn’t meant to be this way. Actor Klaus Maria Brandauer was cast for the part of the defecting Russian submarine captain. Two weeks into the shoot director John McTiernan found out that Klaus had prior commitments and had to back out. Despite having almost no time to rehearse Sean jumped into the role with both feet. With all due respect to Alec Baldwin who performed admirably as the now-iconic Jack Ryan character, this is really Sean’s movie. He delivered a bravura performance. Regrettably, no Oscar this time but Sean was nominated for a BAFTA award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Now that you’ve heard the arguments for both it’s time to render your verdict!