Robert Duvallis hands downone of the greatest actors ever. Working on stage, TV, and the silver screen across eight decades, he has made key contributions to some of the best productions of all time. These range from his iconic appearance inApocalypse Now, to his quietly intense work inThe Godfather, and his Oscar-winning performance as an alcoholic country singer inTender Mercies. Duvall continues to act,most recently appearing in 2022’sThe Pale Blue Eye.
Duvall is versatile, andexcellent at playing both the good-hearted everyman and the menacing villain(though loud, angry bullies might be his specialty). He can be larger-than-life, but his performances are always rooted in real emotion and psychological depth. This makes Duvall one of the all-time best chroniclers of American masculinity. FromThe Great SantinitoThe Apostle, these are his most timeless performances.
10’The Great Santini' (1979)
Director: Lewis John Carlino
This family drama centers on the fraught relationship between Ben Meechum (Michael O’Keefe) and his competitive, authoritarian father Bull (Duvall). Bull is a Marine Corps fighter pilot known by his call sign, “The Great Santini,” who is stationed at a base in South Carolina. It’s 1962, so Bull is now the quintessential warrior without a war. Frustrated,Bull becomes increasingly abusive towards Ben, and conflict escalates as the son tries to chart his own coursefree of his father’s demands.
Duvall received a Best Actor Oscar nod for his work inThe Great Santini, and for good reason. He plays Bull with a fantastic mix of braggadocio, cruelty, and vulnerability. Rather than being a stock character, he’s three-dimensional. On the one hand, he’s mean and domineering; on the other, he’s principled and has high expectations of both kids and himself. His fatal flaw is his insecurity, which becomes malignant. Duvall has many fantastic scenes here, like the iconic one where Bull bounces a basketball against his son’s head, repeating, “You gonna cry?”
The Great Santini
A resolute Marine pilot, revered for his military prowess and ironclad discipline, moves his family to a new town, bringing his rigid expectations home. The resulting family dynamics are strained, especially between him and his teenage son, who seeks to forge his own path. Their tumultuous relationship becomes a poignant exploration of authority, individuality, and the deep-seated need for approval and understanding. The film delves into the emotional conflicts and reconciliations within a family dominated by a larger-than-life patriarch, offering a compelling study of personal growth and familial bonds under pressure.
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9’MAS*H' (1970)
Director: Robert Altman
Before the hit TV series, there was this masterful ensemble film byRobert Altman. A daring dark comedy,MASHrevolves arounda team of medical personnel at a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War. The characters toil away at bloody, challenging work, using humor and practical jokes to stay sane. Sometimes, their antics get uncomfortably brutal. Although the setting is Korea, the real target ofMASH’s irreverence is the Vietnam War, which was underway when the film was made.
The main cast includesDonald Sutherland,Tom Skerritt,Elliott Gould,Sally Kellerman, and Duvall as Major Frank Burns, a self-righteous and incompetent surgeon. He’s a loathsome figure who becomes the target of many pranks and much mockery. Nevertheless,Duvall adds depth to Burns, and there are times when the character is almost sympathetic— almost. Duvall’s standout moment inMAS*His the scene where another character goads him into a furious outburst which lands him in a psychiatric hospital.
Amid the backdrop of the Korean War, a team of maverick surgeons and nurses at a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital employs humor and irreverence as a means of survival against the relentless pressures of wartime. Their unorthodox behavior and pranks often put them at odds with the strict military hierarchy, yet their exceptional medical skills shine through. Through their unconventional methods, they forge deep connections and bring moments of levity to the dire circumstances they face daily. The film combines dark humor with sharp social commentary, presenting a striking portrayal of the absurdity and humanity found in the midst of conflict.
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8’Sling Blade' (1996)
Director: Billy Bob Thornton
“I reckon I got no reason to kill no one. Uh, huh.” Written, directed, and starringBilly Bob Thorton,Sling Bladecenters on Karl Childers, a mentally challenged man with a troubled past who is released from a psychiatric hospital after committing a heinous crime as a child. He returns to the small Southern town he left behind, where he befriends a young boy named Frank Wheatley (Lucas Black) and becomes entangled in the lives of those around him.
Duvall plays Karl’s father, Frank, who was a tyrant when Karl was a boy but is now an angry, isolated man dealing with dementia. Although he makes only a limited appearance, he’s one ofSling Blade’s highlights. Thecasting is clever, drawing on Duvall’s association with powerful, hypermasculine characters.Duvall is usually strong and energetic, so it’s a shock to see him looking so bitter and confused. He portrays this broken husk of a man with realism and intensity; it’s one of his very darkest performances.
Sling Blade
After being institutionalized for a childhood crime, a man with an intellectual disability is released into the care of a small southern town. He forms an unexpected bond with a young boy and his mother, who welcome him into their home. As he adapts to his new life, he becomes entangled in their struggles, particularly with the mother’s abusive boyfriend. The situation escalates, compelling him to take drastic measures to protect his newfound family. The film masterfully intertwines themes of redemption and moral ambiguity, offering a poignant look at the enduring quest for acceptance and justice.
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7’Network' (1976)
Director: Sidney Lumet
NetworkisSidney Lumet’shilarious, scathing send-up of the news media, starringPeter Finchas Howard Beale, a veteran news anchor who, after a sudden outburst on air, becomes a ratings sensation for his unpredictable rants. Rather than pulling Beale off the air, the network sees him as a way of making windfall profits.Duvall has a supporting role as Frank Hackett, a bullying boss at the stationwhose quest for ratings leads him to violent extremes.
If anything,Network’s satire of media sensationalism andthe commodification of newsis even more relevant now than it was nearly 50 years ago.Paddy Chayefsky’s fantastic script gives the cast a lot to work with. Here,Duvall is delightfully despicable and abrasive, embodying the amoral, hard-charging corporate executive. He has plenty of great moments. For example, during a board meeting, when murder is suggested, he insists he wants to “hear everybody’s thoughts on this.”
Network is a 1976 satirical film directed by Sidney Lumet. The story follows the transformation of a struggling television network’s news anchor, played by Peter Finch, into a media sensation who rants about the system on live TV. With a cast that includes William Holden and Faye Dunaway, the film explores the influence of television and corporate interests on news dissemination and public perception.
6’To Kill a Mockingbird' (1962)
Director: Robert Mulligan
After a string of successful stage performances,Duvall made his film debutinTo Kill a Mockingbirdas Arthur “Boo” Radley, the reclusive, oddball neighbor who plays a pivotal role in the film’s last act. He’s joined byGregory Peckin his defining performance asAtticus Finch, a principled lawyerwho defends a Black man, Tom Robinson (Brock Peters), accused of raping a white woman.Mary Badhamplays his young daughter Scout, through whose eyes the story unfolds.
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Duvall is on-screen for just a few minutes, but he is spellbinding as Boo Radley, conveying so much with just body language and his eyes. In fact, he doesn’t speak at all in the movie (he shot one line, but it never made the final cut). This is fitting fora character who is shrouded in mystery, more of a symbol than a person. Despite his monstrous reputation, Boo is shy, meek, and almost childishly innocent, which is something we don’t often see from Duvall.
To Kill A Mockingbird
Atticus Finch, a widowed lawyer in Depression-era Alabama, defends a Black man against an undeserved rape charge, and tries to educate his young children against prejudice.
5’The Apostle' (1997)
Director: Robert Duvall
The ApostlewasDuvall’s passion project, which he also wrote and directed. He initially wrote the script in 1984 but struggled for over a decade to get it produced. He leads the project as Sonny Dewey, a charismatic Pentecostal preacher from Texas whose life takes a drastic turn when he discovers his wife’s (Farrah Fawcett) infidelity. Fueled by a volatile mix of passion and anger,Sonny commits a violent act and is forced to go on the run. Reinventing himself as “The Apostle E.F.,” he starts a new church in a small Louisiana town, where he seeks spiritual redemption and attempts to rebuild his fractured life.
The Apostleis a complex study of guilt and faith and a piercing examination of evangelicalism. It succeeds thanks to amazing performances across the board. Duvall is the star, however,turning in one of his most vivid portraits of a flawed but fundamentally good manin a tough situation. The central question of this movie is whether this preacher can save his own soul.
The Apostle
A charismatic Pentecostal preacher, facing a personal and spiritual downfall after a violent act, embarks on a journey of self-redemption in rural Louisiana. Reinventing himself, he establishes a new congregation, bringing hope and revival to a struggling community. The narrative explores his inner turmoil and the transformative power of faith, showcasing Robert Duvall’s compelling performance. The story offers a nuanced look at forgiveness, guilt, and the pursuit of spiritual rebirth against the backdrop of the American South.
4’Tender Mercies' (1983)
Director: Bruce Beresford
“See, I don’t trust happiness. I never did; I never will.“Tender Merciesbegins withwashed-up country singerMac Sledge (Duvall) waking up in a run-down motel, haunted by a troubled pastof alcoholism and broken relationships. Seeking redemption, he finds solace and a chance at a new life when he meets Rosa Lee (Tess Harper), a widow with a young son.
Mac becomes a part of their lives, helping to rebuild a dilapidated farmhouse and finding a sense of belonging in their small Texas town. Through these characters, the film delves into themes of rebirth, family, and grace. This is Duvall at his most restrained and understated, and his portrayal of Max is a masterclass in subtlety. He’s a man full of pain, butwhere other Duvall characters convey their heartache through rants and violence, Mac’s is revealed through his silence. He’s reflective, struggling to make sense of both the tragedy and good fortune in his life.
Tender Mercies
In the quiet expanses of rural Texas, a former country music star grappling with alcoholism stumbles upon a young widow and her son, who offer him a new lease on life. As he integrates into their family, he confronts the ghosts of his troubled past, including broken relationships and unfulfilled dreams. Their unwavering support and love help him find redemption and a path toward personal growth. The film delicately balances themes of forgiveness and resilience, painting a moving portrait of a man reclaiming his life and the transformative impact of kindness and connection.
3’Apocalypse Now' (1979)
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
“I love the smell of napalm in the morning.” Duvall’s most famous performance may be his appearance inFrancis Ford Coppola’s Vietnam War epic,Apocalypse Now, asLieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore, a charismatic and unflinchingly fearless helicopter squadron commander. He’s the archetypal gung-ho soldier with a cavalier attitude towards the horrors of war, perhaps because any other way of dealing with his experiences would be too painful.
Duvall prepared extensivelyfor the role, including speaking to many people in the military about their experiences. He walks a knife edge between believable and over-the-top, with too many great scenes to count. Chief among them is the legendary helicopter attack to the sound of “Ride of the Valkyries”, which Kilgore only agrees to because it will give them control of a beach said to be great for surfing. The character is entertaining but also frightening: he’s utterly hollow and unfeeling.
Apocalypse Now
A U.S. Army officer serving in Vietnam is tasked with assassinating a renegade Special Forces Colonel who sees himself as a god.
2’The Godfather' (1972)
In theGodfathermovies, Duvall plays Tom Hagen, the informally adopted son of mafia boss Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando). He’s one of thefranchise’s most interesting characters, as he inhabits the intersection of multiple worlds. He’s something of an outsider,being neither a blood family membernor Italian (his background is German-Irish), buthe holds a senior position in the organization, serving asconsigliereand the family’s lawyer.
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Notably, Hagen is the voice of reason, the complete inverse ofVito’s hotheaded son Sonny (James Caan). He has a sharp mind and provides counsel to both Vito and Michael (Al Pacino).Duvall aces Hagen’s calm, strategic demeanor; one could watch a whole film of him mediating conflicts and debating with crooks. He’s also coldblooded, overseeing multiple executions with calm detachment. Nevertheless, Michael holds Hagen at arm’s length, not even trusting him with foreknowledge of the pivotal assassination at the film’s climax.
The Godfather
Don Vito Corleone, head of a mafia family, decides to hand over his empire to his youngest son, Michael. However, his decision unintentionally puts the lives of his loved ones in grave danger.
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1’The Godfather Part II' (1974)
The Godfather: Part IIfilm jumps back and forth between Vito’s early life and Michael’s reign as don of the Corleone mafia. Duvall returns as Hagen, who is still Michael’s lawyer but whose influence has been significantly curtailed. After a series of betrayals, Michael has ceased trusting anyone, telling Hagen up front that he will not share everything with him anymore. Despite this,Michael makes Hagen the acting don while he is away, leading to some of Duvall’s best scenes.
These include Hagen’s meeting with Senator Pat Geary (G.D. Spradlin), one of Michael’s opponents, and, later, Hagen’s defense of Michael during the Senate hearings into mafia activity. As Michael grows more paranoid and brutal, Hagen confronts him about his behavior, andDuvall and Pacino have some fantastic, tense moments together. It’s heartrending to see the breakdown of their relationship. They go from being brothers to little more than a master and servant, withHagen asserting his loyalty in the face of Michael’s subtle threats. Overall, Duvall makes a crucial contribution to one of the greatest cinematic worlds of all time.
The Godfather: Part II
Michael Corleone expands his crime empire while dealing with personal betrayal and loss. Simultaneously, flashbacks reveal the rise of his father, Vito Corleone, from a Sicilian immigrant to a powerful mob boss in New York. The narrative intertwines their stories, exploring themes of power, family, and the consequences of ambition.
