Peter O’Toole was a true icon of cinema whose acclaimed roles have endured through generations. Making his film debut in 1960 and working consistently right up until his death in 2013, with eight Academy Award nominations, O’Toole held the record for the most Oscar nods without ever actually winning. From classics like Lawrence of Arabia to family-friendly favorites such as lending his voice to Pixar’s Ratatouille, O’Toole has left an undeniable mark on Hollywood and the history of film.
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Although O’Toole called himself “the biggest loser” due to his failure to gain an Academy Award, looking back on his career, he delivered several Oscar-worthy performances that proved his reputation as one of the all-time greats. Equally comfortable in comedic and dramatic roles, O’Toole imbued all his characters with intense humanity as his effortless charm elevated every role he played. With a Shakespearean sensibility that added gravitas to his acclaimed performances, O’Toole deserves to be remembered alongside the best actors, not just of his generation but of all time.
You are watching: Peter O’Toole’s 10 Best Movies, Ranked
10 Caligula (1979)
Peter O’Toole as Tiberius
Caligula 0
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NC-17DramaHistory
Caligula is a historical drama film directed by Tinto Brass and written by Gore Vidal, based on the life of Roman Emperor Caligula. The film stars Malcolm McDowell as Caligula, alongside Helen Mirren and Peter O’Toole, and explores the emperor’s rise to power and subsequent descent into madness and tyranny.
Director Tinto Brass Release Date August 14, 1979 Studio(s) Penthouse Films International , Felix Cinematografica Writers Masolino D’Amico Cast Malcolm McDowell , Teresa Ann Savoy , Guido Mannari , John Gielgud , Peter O’Toole Runtime 156 Minutes Budget 17500000.0 Main Genre Drama Expand
Caligula was among the most controversial movies of the 1970s, as its explicit sexual content led to calls that it was obscene, with the film’s financier Penthouse even going to court to defend the movie (via Washington Post.) The release of the film caused quite a stir, and it was banned in several countries for its hardcore sex content. As a dramatization of the ascent and fall of the Roman emperor Caligula (Malcolm McDowell), this was a film that did not shy away from the sexual excesses and the fraught political tensions of his reign.
Caligula
has since become a cult classic.
Having already achieved status as a Hollywood icon, the presence of Peter O’Toole as the Roman emperor Tiberius helped add an air of legitimacy to this film that many perceived as a blending of historical fiction and straight-up pornography. Caligula has since become a cult classic, and a 178-minute Ultimate Cut of the film was released in 2021 that contained previously unseen footage and was well-received. As the most controversial and graphic movie in O’Toole’s filmography, Caligula has since been praised as a trailblazing release that pushed the boundaries of what could be depicted in mainstream cinema.
9 What’s New, Pussycat? (1965)
Peter O’Toole as Michael James
What’s New, Pussycat? (1965) 0
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ApprovedComedy
What’s New, Pussycat? (1965) is a comedic exploration of romantic entanglements involving a womanizing journalist in Paris. The film features a vibrant cast, including Peter O’Toole and Peter Sellers, and showcases the chaos that follows when multiple women vie for his affection. Directed by Clive Donner with a screenplay by Woody Allen, it blends slapstick humor with insightful commentary on love and relationships.
Director Clive Donner Release Date June 22, 1965 Writers Woody Allen Cast Peter Sellers , Peter O’Toole , Romy Schneider , Capucine , Paula Prentiss , Woody Allen , ursula andress , Eddra Gale , Katrin Schaake , Eléonore Hirt , Jean Parédès , Jacques Balutin , Jess Hahn , Howard Vernon , Michel Subor , Sabine Sun , Nicole Karen , Jacqueline Fogt , Daniel Emilfork , Tanya Lopert , Barbara Sommers , Robert Rollis , Annette Poivre , Richard Saint-Bris Character(s) Dr. Fritz Fassbender , Michael James , Carole Werner , Renée Lefevre , Liz Bien , Victor Shakapopulis , Rita , Anna Fassbender , Jacqueline , Mrs. Werner , Marcel , Etienne , Mr. Werner , Doctor , Philippe , Nurse , Tempest , Charlotte , Gas Station Man , Miss Lewis , Miss Marks , Car Renter , Emma , Le maire Runtime 108 Minutes Main Genre Comedy Expand
Although its screenwriter and co-star Woody Allen would later make far more acclaimed works, a fascinating early release in his career was What’s New, Pussycat? This screwball comedy paired Allen with acclaimed performers like Peter Sellers and Peter O’Toole and featured the iconic theme song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and sung by Tom Jones. As the story of a playboy deciding to settle down and marry the love of his life, this outrageous comedy explored, in typical Allen fashion, the neurosis of womanizing and the clumsy confusion of young, sexually active, attractive people.
O’Toole played Michael, the young playboy who called every woman he met “pussycat” to avoid having to remember their names. While there’s plenty of laugh-out-loud moments throughout and it’s enjoyable to see O’Toole in this kind of light entertainment, What’s New, Pussycat? lacked the power of his best work. There’s a lot to enjoy here, but it’s no Lawrence of Arabia, or even Annie Hall for that matter.
8 The Ruling Class (1972)
Peter O’Toole as Jack Gurney, 14th Earl of Gurney
The Ruling Class (1972) 0
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PGComedyDramaMusical
The Ruling Class (1972) is a British black comedy that satirizes the aristocracy and their eccentricities. The story follows Jack, a paranoid schizophrenic who inherits the title of Earl of Gurney and disrupts the traditional order. Director Peter Medak offers a pointed critique of social hierarchies, blending dark humor with pointed social commentary.
Director Peter Medak Release Date September 15, 1972 Writers Peter Barnes Cast Hugh Owens , Harry Andrews , Arthur Lowe , William Mervyn , Coral Browne , James Villiers , Alastair Sim , Hugh Burden , Peter O’Toole , Michael Bryant , Henry Woolf , Griffith Davies , Oliver MacGreevy Character(s) Toastmaster , 13th Earl of Gurney , Tucker , Sir Charles Gurney , Lady Claire Gurney , Dinsdale , Bishop Lampton , Matthew Peake , Jack 14th Earl of Gurney , Dr. Herder , Inmate Runtime 154 Minutes Main Genre Comedy Expand
The Ruling Class was a truly wild and underappreciated cult classic that stood out as a unique, funny, and dark reflection of the British class system. With Peter O’Toole as the paranoid schizophrenia 14th Earl of Gurney who believes he is Jesus Christ, The Ruling Class was a commercial failure when it was first released but has since become a cult classic. A powerful satire of aristocracy, O’Toole perfectly characterized the chaos of his unhinged nobleman, who inherited his father’s estate.
With an unashamedly theatrical performance, O’Toole looked the part of his mentally unstable character as he donned a luscious blonde wig and pretended to be the reincarnation of God himself. As Gurney’s family attempted to steal his inheritance out from under him, themes around the fickle nature of familial loyalty start to emerge. As a satirical commentary about people being forced to fit into roles they are unsuited for, The Ruling Class deserves to be recognized as one of O’Toole’s very best films.
7 Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969)
Peter O’Toole as Arthur “Chips” Chipping
Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969) 0
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GMusicalDramaRomance
Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969) is a musical adaptation of James Hilton’s novel about the life of an English schoolteacher, Mr. Chipping, whose career spans several decades. Set against the backdrop of a traditional British boarding school, the film explores themes of dedication, love, and personal growth while highlighting the profound impact a dedicated teacher can have on his students and colleagues.
Director Herbert Ross Release Date November 25, 1969 Writers James Hilton , Terence Rattigan Cast Peter O’Toole , Petula Clark , Michael Redgrave , George Baker , Siân Phillips , Michael Bryant , Jack Hedley , Alison Leggatt , Clinton Greyn , Barbara Couper , Michael Culver , Elspeth March , Clive Morton , Ronnie Stevens , Mario Maranzana , John Gugolka , Michael Ridgeway , Tom Owen , Jenny Runacre Character(s) Arthur Chipping , Katherine Bridges , The Headmaster , Lord Sutterwick , Ursula Mossbank , Max Staefel , William Baxter , Headmaster’s Wife , Bill Calbury , Mrs. Paunceforth , Johnny Longbridge , Mrs. Summersthwaite , General Paunceforth , Algie , Pompeii Guide , Sutterwick Jr. , David , Farley Runtime 155 Minutes Main Genre Musical Expand
Peter O’Toole delivered a gentle and enigmatic performance in the musical Goodbye, Mr. Chips opposite 1960s singing sensation Petula Clark. As Arthur “Chips” Chipping, O’Toole played a stodgy teacher of Latin and Greek at Brookfield School, a public school just outside of London. As a devoted molder of young minds, Mr. Chips went through ups and downs as his colleague and future wife sadly died, and he’s heartbroken at the wasted young lives he witnessed being taken at war.
O’Toole also showcased his musical talents as he sang his way through many beautiful songs.
With great chemistry between O’Toole and Clarke, Goodbye, Mr. Chips was a touching school-set story that allowed the actor to forgo his usual flamboyance for a more grounded and vulnerable performance. O’Toole also showcased his musical talents as he sang his way through many beautiful songs, including “Where Did My Childhood Go?” With a 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, Goodbye, Mr. Chips was a true gem among O’Toole’s impressive body of work.
6 Venus (2006)
Peter O’Toole as Maurice Russell
Venus 0
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RComedyDramaRomance
Venus follows the story of a seasoned actor grappling with the twilight of his career and the challenges of aging. As he forms an unexpected bond with a young woman, both characters confront their desires, vulnerabilities, and the complexities of human connection.
Director Roger Michell Release Date September 2, 2006 Writers Hanif Kureishi Cast Peter O’Toole , Leslie Phillips , Jodie Whittaker , Vanessa Redgrave , Richard Griffiths , Cathryn Bradshaw , Beatrice Savoretti , Philip Fox , Lolita Chakrabarti , Carolina Giammetta , Kellie Shirley , Ashley Madekwe , Ony Uhiara , Joanna Croll , Liam McKenna , Meg Wynn Owen Character(s) Maurice , Ian , Jessie , Valerie , Donald , Jillian , Waitress , Doctor , Health Centre Nurse , Royal Court Actress , Hospital Drama Family Runtime 95 Minutes Main Genre Comedy Expand
Peter O’Toole earned his eighth and final Academy Award nomination for his excellent late-career performance in Venus. As the feature debut of future Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker, this heartfelt drama saw O’Toole playing an elderly actor whose life was turned upside down by a brashy teenager played by Whittaker. With great chemistry between the pair, this humane and tender exploitation of maturity on two ends of life’s spectrum felt heartfelt and poignant.
While Venus was a vulnerable and life-affirming story, it was also a black comedy about an elderly man finding himself smitten with a woman that’s far too young for him. This concept could have felt inappropriate if the script wasn’t so well written and the performances didn’t feel so real and engaging. As one of O’Toole’s most notable late-career roles, Venus is well worth checking out for those only familiar with his films as a far younger man.
5 My Favorite Year (1982)
Peter O’Toole as Alan Swann
My Favorite Year 0
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PGComedyDrama
My Favorite Year is a comedy film directed by Richard Benjamin, centered around a young TV writer who must keep a flamboyant, unpredictable guest star out of trouble during a live broadcast. Starring Peter O’Toole and Mark Linn-Baker, the film captures the chaotic and humorous behind-the-scenes dynamics of a 1950s variety show.
Director Richard Benjamin Release Date October 8, 1982 Studio(s) Brooksfilms , Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributor(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Writers Norman Steinberg , Dennis Palumbo Cast Peter O’Toole , Mark Linn-Baker , Jessica Harper , Joseph Bologna , Bill Macy Character(s) Alan Swann , Benjy Stone , K. C. Downing , King Kaiser , Sy Benson Runtime 92 Minutes Main Genre Comedy Expand
The often underappreciated comedic talents of Peter O’Toole were best exemplified by his Oscar-nominated performance in My Favorite Year. As the alcoholic swashbuckling acting star sensation Alan Swann, O’Toole captured the hilarious unpredictability of a man drinking his career away. With Mark Linn-Baker as the young comedy writer tasked with keeping Swann sober in the week leading up to his appearance on a live variety show, My Favorite Year kept the laughs coming from beginning to end.
My Favorite Year was set in 1954 and was a sincere ode to the early days of television and the often frantic and haphazard challenges of live broadcasting. O’Toole was wholly believable as a washed-up former star whose best days were behind him. There was both humor and sorrow in his constant need to remain drunk throughout. With a unique sense of humor, an over-the-top performance, and a fast-paced script, My Favorite Year was the perfect vehicle for O’Toole’s talents.
4 Becket (1964)
Peter O’Toole as King Henry II of England
Becket 0
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PG-13DramaHistory
Becket is a historical drama that stars Richard Burton as Thomas Becket and Peter O’Toole as King Henry II. The film explores the turbulent relationship between the English king and his former friend, who becomes Archbishop of Canterbury. Driven by themes of power, loyalty, and faith, the story is set against the backdrop of 12th-century England and delves into issues of church and state.
Director Peter Glenville Release Date March 11, 1964 Studio(s) Paramount , Keep Films Writers Edward Anhalt Cast Richard Burton , Peter O’Toole , John Gielgud , Gino Cervi , Paolo Stoppa Runtime 148 Minutes Main Genre Drama Expand
Becket was the first two movies from the 1960s where Peter O’Toole was nominated for an Oscar for playing King Henry II of England. This historical drama cataloged the tumultuous relationship between the King and his friend-turned-bishop Thomas Becket and was based on the 1959 play Becket or the Honour of God by Jean Anouilh. While this visually stunning story lost out of the Academy Award for Best Picture to My Fair Lady, it did earn the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Carried forward by two tour-de-force performances from O’Toole and Richard Burton as the title character, Becket has all the makings of a true classic and deserves more attention from modern viewers. As a story of collaboration, honor, and God, Becket was a slow-moving drama that built toward an epic conclusion. It was a testament to acting legends O’Toole and Burton that they shared the screen together with such dignity, with neither mammoth performer upstaging the other.
3 Ratatouille (2007)
Peter O’Toole as Anton Ego
Ratatouille 3
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GAnimationComedyDrama Where to Watch
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Remy the rat dreams of becoming a great chef despite the world’s anti-rodent bias. After moving to Paris to follow his dream, he teams up with kitchen assistant Linguini and shows off his culinary skills in a professional kitchen. But can the pair convince the world’s most notorious food critic that anyone can be a chef?
Director Brad Bird Release Date June 29, 2007 Cast Patton Oswalt , Ian Holm , Lou Romano , Brad Garrett , Peter O’Toole , Janeane Garofalo , Brian Dennehy , Peter Sohn , Will Arnett Runtime 111 Minutes Where To Stream Disney+
The career of Peter O’Toole was a vast and varied journey through modern cinema that even included a memorable performance in Pixar’s Ratatouille. O’Toole portrayed the cynical and hard-to-please food critic Anton Ego, whose opinion of the struggling Chef Alfredo Linguini’s restaurant could make or break his faltering business. However, it’s the food-loving rat Remy whose cooking ignited Anton’s taste buds as he’s it brought up nostalgic reminiscences of his mother’s cooking.
O’Toole’s prim and proper voice was the perfect accompaniment to gaunt, angular features and stern, uncompromising opinions. Ratatouille stood among Pixar’s finest films and received widespread critical acclaim while boasting a narrative that’s equally enjoyable for adult and child viewers alike. The presence of O’Toole among the voice cast added an air and prestige to this family-friendly film, and Ratatouille went on to take home the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
2 The Lion In Winter (1968)
Peter O’Toole as King Henry II of England
The Lion in Winter (1968) 0
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PGDramaHistory
The Lion In Winter (1968) is a historical drama that explores the personal and political turmoil of King Henry II of England during Christmas in 1183. Starring Peter O’Toole and Katharine Hepburn, the film delves into the complex intrigues and power struggles within the royal family as they vie for succession and control of the kingdom. Directed by Anthony Harvey, the film is a rich portrayal of medieval court life and familial conflict.
Director Anthony Harvey Release Date October 30, 1968 Studio(s) AVCO Embassy Pictures , Haworth Productions Writers James Goldman Cast Peter O’Toole , Katharine Hepburn , Anthony Hopkins , John Castle , Nigel Terry Runtime 134 Minutes Main Genre Drama Expand
Just four years after playing King Henry II to widespread acclaim in Becket, Peter O’Toole took up the role of the 12th-century king once again for another Oscar-nominated performance in The Lion in Winter. This time, the narrative focused on King Henry’s attempt to establish a line of succession during a family gathering at Christmas 1183. However, his efforts unleashed personal and political turmoil as conflict erupted between him and his estranged wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine (Katherine Hepburn), their three surviving sons, the French king, and the king’s half-sister and mistress, Alais.
The Lion in Winter
was also notable as Anthony Hopkins’ debut feature film.
The Lion in Winter was an intense historical drama based on a play by James Goldman. While O’Toole sadly lost out on the Oscar to Cliff Robertson for Charly, Hepburn earned Best Actress and became the very first three time Academy Award Winner in that category. Overall, The Lion in Winter was an intense historical and political drama elevated by the astounding lead performances of O’Toole and Hepburn, who made this a smart, melodramatic, and engaging monarchy movie.
1 Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Peter O’Toole as T. E. Lawrence
Lawrence of Arabia 1
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PGWarBiographyAdventureHistoryDrama Where to Watch
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The 1962 epic Lawrence of Arabia is a historical movie based on the life of a real-life British officer who played a key role in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Starring Peter O’Toole, Alec Guinness, and Anthony Quinn, the Oscar-winning film displays the man’s disillusionment with war and its politics.
Director David Lean Release Date December 11, 1962 Studio(s) Columbia Pictures Distributor(s) Columbia Pictures Writers Robert Bolt , Michael Wilson Cast Alec Guinness , Omar Sharif , Peter O’Toole , Jack Hawkins , Anthony Quinn Runtime 228 minutes Budget $15 million Main Genre Adventure Expand
When thinking of the career of Peter O’Toole, one movie comes to mind above all the rest, and that was Lawrence of Arabia. As director David Lean’s magnum opus, Lawrence of Arabia was an epic exploration of the real British army officer T.E. Lawrence’s experiences in the Ottoman provinces of Hejaz and Greater Syria during the First World War. With grand sweeping visuals and an engaging characterization of an almost legendary figure, Lawrence of Arabia has earned its place not just at the top of O’Toole’s body of work but as among the greatest films ever made.
A masterpiece of acting, directing, editing, cinematography, and production design, Lawrence of Arabia has gained iconic status as one of the purest examples of what filmmaking can achieve. As Lawrence struggled with the violence of war and his fractured identity as a native British man carving out new alliances with Arab desert tribes, this was the thematically rich story of the British empire at a time of great change. More so than any other performance, Lawrence of Arabia showcased why Peter O’Toole is considered an icon of cinema.
Source: Washington Post
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Category: Entertainment