Top 10 Greatest Donald Sutherland Performances

[@rebeccag8589]

100% agree with your #1. Ordinary People is an amazing film and he gives a heartbreaking performance that absolutely should have earned him an Oscar nomination.

[@trice30]

I can't believe he never received an Oscar nom. This man gave so many great performances. His range was unbelievable.

[@cpcathy]

The academy sucks sometimes, I’m sure they thought, “Oh, well, maybe the NEXT movie he makes.”

[@sheilaholmes8455]

Life is definitely not fair.

[@ninamc6116]

Ridiculous

[@tdward23]

I think Donald fucked his way through the Hollywood Hills and the academy hated that he was so cool

[@theell9014]

Thank you, thank you. I totally agree - Sutherland is outstanding in Ordinary People and absolutely should have received a Best Actor nomination. His scenes with Timothy Hutton are amazing, but man oh man, his scenes with Mary Tyler Moore are beyond description.

[@Interrobang2626]

That scene in Ordinary People where Donald Sutherland is trying to get his reluctant wife to be photographed with their son is heartbreaking and haunts me to this day.

[@AtlasBlizzard]

RIP Donald Sutherland, I didn't know he had passed away! Great actor, for sure, his body of work will always live.

[@Milosh111]

I'd add Kelly's Heroes (at least as honorable mention); his role of Sergeant Oddball is so much fun... A great actor and a great video, can't wait for the second one.

[@109367]

He didn't need an Oscar, screw them, he's amazing

[@chuckfiorello7619]

The Day of the Locust (1975) is a glaring omission from this video. And there was plenty of room for him in the Best Actor category at the 1975 Oscars.

[@FrakkinToasterLuvva]

I was just going to mention that one too.

[@gianpertusi1375]

Thank you so much for honoring one of our greatest actors and I'm greatly looking forward to its upcoming companion. The OP snub was painful then, and remains so this day. I agree with the previous comments, finding "Little Murders" (and yes, I'm stunned I'd never even heard of it!), is impressive indeed. Great job!

[@pommie5093]

Ordinary People is in my top 10 favorite films of all time. It was a masterclass in acting from each performer, especially Moore, Hutton and Sutherland. I completely agree with you, OP is Sutherland's finest. RIP, Donald Sutherland.

[@rustincohle2135]

Brian, I have an idea for future Oscar videos. You know how the Oscars expanded the Best Picture field to ten nominees in 2009 after _The Dark Knight_ and _WALL-E_ snubs? Well, I think it'd be a swell idea for you and one of your friends to discuss what you think would've been nominated for Best Picture if the Academy had ten slots in the years prior when they only had five Best Picture nominees. It's something I think about quite a bit. For example in 1991, the Best Picture lineup was _The Silence of the Lambs, JFK, Beauty and the Beast, Bugsy_ and _The Prince of Tides._ But if the Academy had ten slots that year, obviously _Thelma and Louise_ and _Boyz n the Hood_ would've gotten in and probably _The Fisher King_ and maybe even _Terminator 2: Judgment Day?_ I think that'd be an interesting idea for a video. Like you could do 2-3 different Oscar years per video or something. But also, in between 2009 and now, some years only had 8 Best Picture nominees cuz of the preferential ballot system. I always wonder what would've filled out the last two BP slots in 2015, I imagine _Carol_ and _Straight Outta Compton._ Also, the American Film Institute (AFI) does their annual awards where they pick the ten best American films of each year. Well, they only started doing that in the year 2000. I think it'd also be fun to speculate what films would've been selected by the AFI as the ten best in the years prior.

[@fringedweller2466]

Thank you for shining a light on Donald Sutherland's underappreciated (by the Academy) and immense talent. There's not another actor like him...a true original. You've already highlighted so many of my favorite films in his oeuvre such as Klute, Ordinary People and Invasion of the Body Snatchers. I've admired all of the performances that you singled out. A few of my other favorite Donald Sutherland performances and films include Murder by Decree, Eye of the Needle, The Italian Job, Citizen X and Pride and Prejudice. The man could do it all. It you get a chance to watch the 60 Minutes segment from 2017 I believe (it's on YT), it provides a nice glimpse into the man behind the work. He will be sorely missed.

[@donlevy6919]

I agree 100% about Ordinary People. It's an amazing performance

[@markbayer1573]

Sutherland nailed his three scenes as a pot-smoking professor in my favorite comedy, Animal House (for which he famously and regrettably turned down a percentage of the gross earnings). Love his line to an uninterested class: "I'm not joking...this is my JOB!"

[@Jessie-w5f]

Thank you! I’ve always been very outspoken about the perfection of Mr Sutherland’s art in “Ordinary People”. I saw this movie on opening day in 1980 in NYC at the tender age of 15. It has been in my top 5 since then. And while everyone extolled the power of Hutton and Moore, I was drawn to Mr Sutherland. His pain and compassion were transparent. He made me recognize what makes for a truly great actor. I wish I could thank him for the impact he left on me. RIP Mr Donald Sutherland 😢❤😢❤

[@janefrost1856]

Brilliant actor, Don't Look Now is one of my favourites, along with Klute. Also, Kelly's Heroes is a great film, Sutherland is brilliant as Oddball, just hilarious

[@deltamagnet]

I suspect even most Donald Sutherland fans would have a hard time plodding through Fellini's "Casanova" but I saw a print of it many years ago and Sutherland's willingness to take on that unglamourous transformation at the peak of his fame was a bold risk that I feel deserves recognition.

[@JuandeFucaU]

I don't know if I love you anymore. And I don't know what I'm going to do without that.

[@rubytuesdayphoenix]

Oh man, I've never been able to get through Sutherland's monologue at the end of Ordinary People without getting chills and tearing up. Absolutely masterful. As phenomenal as everyone else was in that movie, to me somehow Sutherland owns that movie just with that one scene

[@oobrocks]

Congratulations channel: the first channel to give us a Sutherland retrospective! Ps; amazing narrator voice 🎉

[@jamielee7943]

Donald Sutherland is & always will be one of the greats & one of my personal favourite actors. So versatile & original. Epic voice. He truly elevated everything he was in. He’s Number 1 on my list of actors who absolutely should have won an Oscar… if not several. I’m glad he was awarded an honorary one. Really sad to see him go but thankful for the amazing performances he gave us. ❤

[@mrfarreinheit9642]

A legend😢😢😢

[@andyroo9381]

"Ordinary People" is a good film. The coldness left me chilled.

[@TheThegsd]

I needed this video. Thank you sir

[@alisdairmckenzie]

Lovely video and tribute. My friend messaged me the other day to say he had passed and I immediately sent two pics back to him of Donald, in Six Degrees... and Don't Look Now - some of my favourite films, let alone favourite Sutherland performances. Baffling how the man never even got an Oscar nomination during his career. But yes, his scenes in Ordinary People are fantastic - especially the final scenes of that film, which are devastating.

[@vanessaheine8093]

He was my mum’s favourite actor

[@loganthehennemann1]

He really was incredible. My favorite performance of his is Outbreak. It’s not necessarily a great one but he chews up the scenery in every scene he’s in

[@nancydemoss2945]

He plays a real bastard officer to the hilt! Loved to hate him!!

[@MegaAtomium]

The "Ordinary People" snub REALLY pissed me off.

[@perryjones7771]

I’ll always remember him as President Snow. That trilogy marked my teen years it’s my favorite book series ever. The chemistry between him and Jennifer was just incredible. His performance in “Mockingjay Part Two” should have received an Oscar nomination.

[@bpure2560]

Nice tribute. He was great in The Eagle Has Landed also. One of the few movies where you didn't hate the baddie because Donald was so charismatic.

[@samuelbarber6177]

Man deserved an Oscar nomination for JFK alone. I also really like him in Eye of the Needle which I recently watched.

[@kelleyceccato7025]

Eye of the Needle is sorely underrated.

[@patrarus6097]

Thanks so much, Brian. I agree with your choices. I actually saw "Don't Look Now" in the movie theatre back in the day and was absolutely captivated by the movie, and Donald's performance. Also, "Ordinary People" is one of my favorite movies of all time. I believe that Donald was unjustly snubbed for those two movies and others. I look forward to your next Donald Sutherland video.

[@pophector]

Excellent tribute, Brian. I also agree with the top 5. I would also like to mention that his best performances on TV for me were in Trust, The Undoing, Dirty Sexy Money, and Citizen X. Rest in peace, Donald Sutherland.

[@sstorey79]

I feel like Sutherland was never nominated because he was always a steady hand whose performances always seemed to elevate the performances of the others around him to new heights

[@KatyaOrlova-jp1gy]

Thank you so much for the video. It's sad I needed for him to die to start exploring this man's amazing life and career. And there is so much to explore.

[@rustincohle2135]

Yes, shame on you!😄

[@Staatsfeind771]

He was brilliant in Eye of the Needle.

[@samdevallance1527]

Yes I agree.

[@emillion4470]

In terms of emotional range, DS is unsurpassed. From the tender and caring father in "Ordinary People' to the raging sadistic Fascist in Bertolucci's "1900", DS could do it all - with authority. Gentleness to menace. stillness to bombast, goofy oddball to magisterial, his performances were both believable and unforgettable.

[@DonnyLusk]

His one scene in JFK is beyond chilling. He stole the entire movie there.

[@troytette2410]

Totally overlooked Eye of the Needle. Please redo list and add it somewhere. Kthx

[@paulvoorhies8821]

I agree with your #1 pick. He absolutely should have been nominated. I’m a HUGE fan of Don’t Look Now and am thrilled it made your Top 3.

[@TheRobpralgo]

Great job with this video.

[@kevinpoole6122]

Though it’s a mere cameo, his appearance as Jesus on the train in *Johnny Got His Gun* is SO haunting!

[@scarmucci1918]

He was also brave enough to show off his buns in Animal House as I recall. RIP to a terrific actor. The type of actor you just could not turn away from in anything he did.

[@nancydemoss2945]

They were cute buns, too!

[@antsmarching123]

Tracking down Little Murders. Awesome video as always, Brian.

[@rustincohle2135]

It's on KZbin.

[@mikenavis2745]

i want to give a shout out to Sutherlands performance as the "original" Homer Simpson in Day of the Locust. One of his greatest performances IMO

[@janetstorm648]

I loved his comedic performance in "Start the Revolution Without Me" with the great Gene Wilder. An all-time brilliant actor.

[@KaeMcSpadden]

He was incredible. God rest his soul.

[@BeckyLStoutWriter]

100% agree on that #1 choice!

[@rich56ca]

I guess I’m the only person to ever see The Day of the Locust. Nowhere in all the tributes do I ever see it mentioned. His performance as the tragic ‘Homer Simpson’(yes) was excellent. Still, the movie bombed and to this day might be the most depressing movie I’ve ever seen. Worth a watch, anyway(once).

[@ilafan]

His 10-15 minutes of screen time in JFK were devastatingly good.

[@moritzguderian8381]

underrated actor i miss this guy

[@andrewbullivant8936]

Kelly’s hero’s, Eye of the needle, and the eagle has landed should have been mentioned in my opinion.

[@JohannesYtterstrom]

Nice list and nice to see apprecation for Donald Sutherland. One of my favorite actors. Shame he didn't get more parts as a main character. From the movies and TV-shows I've seen which isn't mentioned in your Top 10 I would recommend the following: The First Great Train Robbery (1978): A quite charming movie together with Sean Connery. Perfect when you want to see something lighthearted. Space Cowboys (2000): The Clint Eastwood movie about space. Just an overall feelgood movie. Human Trafficking (2005): A mini-series for TV. Nothing groundbreaking in terms of story but very well executed and great acting. The Best Offer (2013): A movie together with Geoffrey Rush. Don't read anything about this movie.. Just give it a chance. Don't sit with family though (you will understand why).

[@davedavis8786]

1.) He was fantastic in Ordinary People, and that movie deserved its Best Picture Oscar. It might be the best, most intimate look at a grieving family, and Sutherland's work was essential to its success. 2.) I loved his work in The Eagle has Landed. 3.) I didn't like the movie MASH, but I understand that in some ways it broke new ground and that Sutherland did a good job.

[@samuelbarber6177]

The Eagle Has Landed had a really stacked cast. I mean, in what other movie would you see Michael Caine as a Nazi?

[@bliss66]

Great tribute to a great actor. I remember at the time there were plenty of admirers of his performance in Ordinary People but they seemed to acknowledge early on that given the subtlety of his quietly devastating (yet hopeful) performance, he'd never get a foothold in the race. The Oscar narratives for Ordinary People were carried by the headliners: Mary Tyler Moore (playing against type, personal tragedies), Timothy Hutton (astounding debut by industry offspring - his father was Jim Hutton, TV's Ellery Queen who had died of cancer the previous year) and the director himself, Robert Redford (Golden Boy of the '70s making his directorial debut). If Sutherland had been considered Supporting, he might've just been swept along as Hirsch was by the momentum to award the film. But he was competing - in a sense, against his own co-star, Hutton, whom it might be said was committing category fraud in Supporting (for people who say such things) - but also against a ton of acting stalwarts in Lemmon, Duvall, O'Toole, the undeniably stellar performance by John Hurt in The Elephant Man PLUS DeNiro himself in Raging Bull, his first and only lead category win. Duvall and O'Toole's films had died in cinemas and garnered attention from critics and devoted audiences alike on cable tv and airplanes, which was an odd trend that year. (Both were subsequently re-released in cinemas and were what used to be referred to as "sleeper" hits.) Lemmon's film, an adaptation of a mediocre play called Tribute, barely even had a release. But sometimes, that in itself is a narrative. (Duvall had yet to win his Oscar for Tender Mercies and O'Toole never won a competitive Oscar, this was the 6th of his 8 nominations.) So while the lineup may look tepid from here - at the time you had 3 major players (DeNiro, Duvall & O'Toole) all hoping for their first bite of the cherry, and Lemmon, with 8 nominations and two wins, who had just been nominated the previous year for The China Syndrome and would remain competitive with another nomination two years later for 1983's Missing, two performances that had garnered him international acclaim, being awarded the Best Actor prize at Cannes for both films and a BAFTA win for The China Syndrome and a nomination for Missing. The category undeniably had a lot of gravitas and unlike his Ordinary People cohorts, Donald Sutherland seemed to be the only one who wasn't campaigning for an Oscar. I remember seeing the film at the time and my 14 year-old self thought he was the best father ever. (Also loved his appearance in Animal House around the same time.) There certainly can be no doubt that Donald Sutherland was much admired by his peers and audiences alike. Great video from All Talking Pictures on the 1980 ceremony, thoroughly and excellently researched, kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHzRfnqmrJ5gi9Usi=MyVRH1o2ArW2wcgR

[@BRADLEY-o7g]

The best actor Star in history we miss you❤❤🇨🇦

[@thankyoujodi]

I remember catching without limits one weekend, and was captivated. Was stunned to find after that it was based on a true story. Great performances so all around, but I remember really noticing sutherland there. Then after, recognizing him in space cowboys. When i went back, and started seeing more of his iconic work, i was just amazed, then floored by the lack of recognition. One of the few actors you can genuinely say is underrated - because people get carried away with that, and who deserves awards/recognition. A couple more gems: Jeff Daniels and Giovanni Ribisi.

[@SuzzieMarie0130]

Surprisingly, I’ve seen most of these films. You have reminded me of his incredible range. I agree with you about Ordinary People; however, as a “dug-in” boomer, my favorite will always be MASH. Ensenble, yes; however, Sutherland holds it all together Perhaps a lifetime achievement award is on the horizon😊

[@HoosierCubby73]

I loved Donald Sutherland as Brother Thadeus in "Heaven Help Us" from 1985.

[@kelleyceccato7025]

Sutherland may have been ignored by the Oscars, but he does have an Emmy to his name, for HBO's drama "Citizen X." He's absolutely brilliant in this film, working well with Stephen Rea (who's also wonderful). This chilling TV drama and the strong performances in it are too often overlooked. I do agree with the #1 pick, however. Sutherland is heartbreaking in "Ordinary People," a movie that deserves better than to be remembered just as the film that beat "Raging Bull" for Best Picture.

[@Agarbeau]

Ordinary People absolutely!

[@craigrm74]

Six Degrees of Separation should be much higher on this list, but the top four makes sense. I also loved DS in the first film I saw him in, the 1970 period comedy Start The Revolution Without Me with Gene Wilder.

[@Pattyjohnson476]

I agree about Six Degrees. Watched it again last night.

[@FutureBereaAlumn]

His performance in Hollow Point is also excellent. You can tell he’s just having the best time.

[@roxy5588]

I loved Donald Sutherland in Kelly's Heroes and the very underrated Lock Up.

[@lytaquiroz1524]

His career is really an actors dream, where he has the high quality dramas, especially in 80's and 90's, but then has a legacy of popular films that will also be tied to the Hunger Games Franchise as president Snow and P&P as Papa Bennett, showing his huge range A legend

[@pammackey2533]

He definitely should have been nominated (and won) for Ordinary People.

[@joancarlestomas]

Robert de Niro was there

[@citizenVader]

Oh boy, he was and still is one of the greatest. The needle was the first time I saw him in a movie. I remember it very distinctly because it was in the youth club, and I was a junior student, so it was the first real hardcore spy thriller based on true events, and he is very much still the only character I remember from that movie even though he played a German spy.

[@valerielucke5956]

I totally agree with your assessment of ordinary people. It was a steller cast and proformances, but Donald Sutherland was a definite standout! And when you point out the other nominees, it is even more perplexing

[@aVerveQuest]

It's fun to watch him intetact with the other "old guy actors" in Space Cowboys

[@nathieboy1987]

One of my favourite roles that Donald Sutherland portrayed was Speaker of the House Nathan Templeton in the short-lived television series Commander in Chief. You love to hate him, and then he shows his humanity and you start to like him, then BOOM he's the antagonist again.

[@DeLongConversationMovies]

I love Buffy!

[@startlestarfish]

My favorite performance of his is definitely as Mr. Bennet in pride and prejudice. He’s such a loving, caring father and you can tell he gets a kick out of the mess that is his family. Invasion of the body snatchers is a close second, klute has been on my watchlist for years too.

[@DanCrowleyNYC]

I can't argue over Ordinary People, just rewatched it a couple years ago after decades of not seeing it. It's an amazing film. And I always loved Klute and Six Degrees - but when he passed, my first thought was immediatelty of Don't Look Now. It's so unique, strange, mysterious and unsettling, and he is wonderful in it (as is Julie Christie - though I heard she was not a fan of his on set). Having been to Venice twice, I could never believe how Nicholas Roeg turned one of the most beautiful cities on the planet into one of the creepiest.

[@johnsdao3917]

How no oscar,😊 such a Canadian legend is he

[@BFA100]

My Top 10 Donald Sutherland Film Performances 1. Ordinary People 2. MASH 3. Don't Look Now 4. Without Limits 5. Klute 6. JFK 7. The Hunger Games 8. Six Degrees of Separation 9. The Dirty Dozen 10. Pride & Prejudice

[@MegaGo68]

Excellent! I'm glad you didn't neglect "Six Degrees," a film that seems to have fallen off the radar.

[@dracrorasco4907]

He was never even nominated DAMN YOU ACADEMY DAMN YOU ALL

[@tyrannosaurusburke]

I know it's not one of his most memorable performances, but I also enjoyed Donald Sutherland in "Horrible Bosses". Sutherland played the boss that Jason Sudeikis has at the beginning of the film who dies, only to have his role taken over by the entitled, drug-addicted, flagrantly unqualified character played by Colin Farrell. Sutherland wasn't in the film very long, but he was the ideal boss every underappreciated employee wishes they had. When his character dies, his absence is felt.

[@CrystalWilliamsoncoach]

I couldn't finish Little Murders and I forgot Sutherland was in this film. Without Limits, Invasion, and Six Degrees - were all incredible films! You forgot EYE OF THE NEEDLE with Kate Nelligan! OMG amazing film and underrated

[@SUK2293]

He got more credit at the BAFTAS and Golden Globes.

[@BlueSkyScholar]

Donald Sutherland has passed and with him any chance of my matrimony.

[@johnsdao3917]

Such a Canadian treasure

[@tdward23]

Great list. Please watch Eye of the Needle. He deserved an oscar nod for Backdraft. Overlooked due to screentime... I think jack got a nod later on due to this oversight

[@fallenhero3130]

I wish you had given an honorable mention to 1900, or its Italian title, NOVECENTO (1976). While the movie itself is uneven, Sutherland's villain character in that film is so disturbing and perverse that he later said it took him years to be able to watch the movie again after it came out. When I heard he had passed away, this actually was one of the first performances that came to my mind.

[@kingamoeboid3887]

Likewise, even if the dubbing isn't in sync (it was common among Italian productions for English-speaking films), I was still transfixed.

[@samdevallance1527]

Yes he was great in that movie.

[@classicmiriam]

I agree it was egregious that Donald Sutherland wasn’t nominated for Ordinary People. Him and Timothy Hutton put so much heart into that film. I believe it’s a big reason why it won best picture. Also it was impressive of Robert Redford who had never directed before.

[@Seth97993]

He was great❤

[@greggilbert7529]

My favorite is Invasion of the Body Snatchers, however that same year he was in National Lampoon's Animal House and he was hilarious in his scenes.

[@timirish2563]

I was so disappointed that DS didn't even receive an Oscar nomination for Ordinary People when he honestly should have won for the performance. The first half of the film is obviously about Timothy Hutton's character. The second half of the film is almost entirely Donald Sutherland's performance. He plays with such subtlety a decent man who thought his life was perfect who is attempting to hold onto that illusion as it is all slipping away. Who knew Sutherland (after his many oddball performances) could play helpless decency so very well? In many almost-invisible ways, we can see him falling out of love with the facade that is Mary Tyler Moore's Beth. He has been holding onto the illusion of perfect Beth since he met her--and especially since the twin traumas involving their sons. This was his most powerful creation since Klute. His triumphant reception of the Oscar for Lifetime Achievement almost makes up for his almost-criminal slights by the Academy. Almost. We have years to study his many performances and I (posthumously) thank him for his fine work.

[@LucyLioness100]

Such a travesty he wasn’t awarded a nomination, but the Honorary trophy was still well deserved. I was floored when I learned he passed as I always liked him & it’s given me even more reason to revisit a lot of the classics he made and ones I didn’t watch before to honor such a legend

[@peteroscarson1188]

I really got to recommend Eye of the needle.

[@JuliesWorldCrochet]

I'm on board for your list, but I also have an incredible soft spot for The Great Train Robbery, he starred in with Sean Connery. Great fun.

[@orpheus9037]

Day of the Locust was not received well at the time of its release, but I think Sutherland's Homer Simpson was a knock out role - and one, apparently, he took real pride in. The film is being re-assessed and it deserves an audience. In fact, it's probably more relevant now than before considering the politics of our age. The film's finale, featuring a riot at a Hollywood film premier with some rather surreal and ghoulish touches, was fascinating and unlike anything else you'll see. God bless the movie makers of the 70s with their quirky, idiosyncratic viewpoints. And God bless Donald Sutherland for being such an extraordinary and prolific part of that era.

[@MFuria-os7ln]

OMG. I honestly thought he would always be there - he gone???. But wait - I still think he will always be there. My number 1.

[@nickbovi]

I am surprised you didn't mention him as Sgt Oddball in Kelly's Heroes definitely worthy of a best supporting actor nomination, also was his performance in Eye of the Needle.

[@cleocat1763]

It is total crap that this man had never won an Oscar. Especially for Ordinary People. He was an unbelievable actor.

[@palerider964]

Good Riddens, traitor!!👏👏👏👏👏👍

[@samdevallance1527]

Huh?

[@palerider964]

@samdevallance1527 you don't remember he went to support north vietnam with hanoi jane in 1972??

[@samdevallance1527]

@@palerider964 I can see how Jane Fonda was seen as a traitor because she is American but Donald Sutherland was Canadian and Canada didn’t send soldiers to fight in the war so how is he a traitor?

[@palerider964]

@samdevallance1527 just the fact he was there supporting her.

[@paulnelson7525]

@@samdevallance1527 You have to remember that a good portion of this country is very ignorant.

[@RonnieCassol]

Ordinary people Is his best no doubt would Also mention his Emmy winning role in Citizen x e love Also his performance in Kelly Heroes and Eye of the needle

[@branagain]

I have to mention Animal House. That’s the first movie I watched when he passed away. It’s a small part but he was the biggest star in that film. He turned down a gross percentage which would have made him millions. Kind of funny and sad at the same time.

[@cjuwett6686]

The eye of the needle is number 1 for me

[@sarahnadespeaks5047]

My favorite film of his that I have seen is a little film called The Leisure Seeker. I recommend it.