The most tragic cinematic hero of all time

Someone brought up Elias from Platoon when talking about the most tragic hero in cinema history—and I have to say, I’m inclined to agree. Willem Dafoe looks like he was practically engineered for that specific role.

For my money, though, I’d have to point to Christopher Walken in The Deer Hunter. Robert De Niro spends half the movie searching for him, only to end up holding his bloodied body in his arms after that horrific game of Russian roulette. It might just be the most devastating moment an actor has ever delivered on screen. First off, Christopher Walken is phenomenal throughout the entire film; his performance just seeps under your skin. There’s that one scene where he’s sitting at the table, gun aimed at a red circle, head bound, while his friend desperately begs him to stop—he just stares back with this hollow, vacant expression right before the shot rings out and freezes your blood. Then you see De Niro break down in tears. It is truly gut-wrenching. I’m curious, though, how many of you actually sat through this three-hour masterpiece?

So, General Jack d. Ripper in Dr. Strangelove... first off, those communists totally wreck his mojo using chlorinated water, and then they completely derail his whole master plan to stop any more communist meddling with American bodily fluids.

I was thinking about John Hurt in Elephant Man—you know, that performance is just... it's something else entirely. I guess I don't know if people realize how much he poured into that role. It’s one of those movies that stays with you, maybe because it's so raw? Anyway, just sitting here thinking about his work in that film.
King Kong
So, I was thinking about Ben Stiller in *Meet the Parents*—you know, that whole awkward, cringey vibe he pulls off so effortlessly? It’s honestly kind of impressive how he can make you feel second-hand embarrassment through a screen without even trying too hard. I guess there's just something about his specific brand of frantic energy that works perfectly when he's being squeezed by some overbearing father figure. It's funny, really—the way the tension builds... maybe it's just me, but I find those high-stress comedic moments way more engaging than the stuff that tries too hard to be "funny." Anyway, just one of those movies that sticks in your head for some reason.

Bryan Harris65 said:I was thinking about John Hurt in Elephant Man—you know, that performance is just... it's something else entirely. I guess I don't know if people realize how much he poured into that role. It’s one of those movies that stays with you, maybe because it's so raw? Anyway, just sitting here thinking about his work in that film.
King Kong
So, I was thinking about Ben Stiller in *Meet the Parents*—you know, that whole awkward, cringey vibe he pulls off so effortlessly? It’s honestly kind of impressive how he can make you feel second-hand embarrassment through a screen without even trying too hard. I guess there's just something about his specific brand of frantic energy that works perfectly when he's being squeezed by some overbearing father figure. It's funny, really—the way the tension builds... maybe it's just me, but I find those high-stress comedic moments way more engaging than the stuff that tries too hard to be "funny." Anyway, just one of those movies that sticks in your head for some reason.

I’m with you on this one... 👍

I’d also throw Johnny Depp into the mix as Gilbert Grape—you know, from the movie "One Hundred Sorrows." I always just felt such bad luck for him in that role... 😢

Actually, just remembered a few more
Paul Newman, Luke Jackson - Cool Hand Luke
Jak Gallanaham, Donnie Darko - Donnie Darko
Darko Sean Connery in The Untouchables

Bryan Harris65 said:I was thinking about John Hurt in Elephant Man—you know, that performance is just... it's something else entirely. I guess I don't know if people realize how much he poured into that role. It’s one of those movies that stays with you, maybe because it's so raw? Anyway, just sitting here thinking about his work in that film.
King Kong
So, I was thinking about Ben Stiller in *Meet the Parents*—you know, that whole awkward, cringey vibe he pulls off so effortlessly? It’s honestly kind of impressive how he can make you feel second-hand embarrassment through a screen without even trying too hard. I guess there's just something about his specific brand of frantic energy that works perfectly when he's being squeezed by some overbearing father figure. It's funny, really—the way the tension builds... maybe it's just me, but I find those high-stress comedic moments way more engaging than the stuff that tries too hard to be "funny." Anyway, just one of those movies that sticks in your head for some reason.

I mean, really, what is there to complain about? That guy has seen more of this world than I ever will in my entire lifetime...🙂

Tristan and Isolde, Romeo and Juliet... honestly, I know I’m being a total sap here, but those sweeping, impossible, forbidden romances—the kind where everything is grand yet falls apart simply because of human stupidity—they just hit me right in the gut. There was also that tragic heroine from that one movie—I can't for the life of me remember the actress's name, she was beautiful, sort of a modern-day Pocahontas—forgive me if I've got the details wrong, but that film stayed with me. And then there's that legend about Autumn and her suicide; it was such a heartbreaking story, and her death... it truly hurt to watch. I've completely blanked on the actress's name, too... and that actress who played Isolde is just stunning... *sniff*... I think I need a good cry right now. Love... oh, this unrequited love...🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

It might not be high cinema, but C-Note from > is easily one of the most tragic figures I've seen on TV. First, he gets wrongfully thrown behind bars, and now he’s basically facing an execution 😠

I just had another cinematic epiphany—specifically regarding *Primal Fear*—where Charlize Theron plays such an undeniably tragic figure... and then there’s that film with Claire Danes, I can't quite recall the title, but she was behind those bars—it was a stunningly nuanced performance, truly.

Gollum............

Ronald Barnes47 said:Someone brought up Elias from Platoon when talking about the most tragic hero in cinema history—and I have to say, I’m inclined to agree. Willem Dafoe looks like he was practically engineered for that specific role.

For my money, though, I’d have to point to Christopher Walken in The Deer Hunter. Robert De Niro spends half the movie searching for him, only to end up holding his bloodied body in his arms after that horrific game of Russian roulette. It might just be the most devastating moment an actor has ever delivered on screen. First off, Christopher Walken is phenomenal throughout the entire film; his performance just seeps under your skin. There’s that one scene where he’s sitting at the table, gun aimed at a red circle, head bound, while his friend desperately begs him to stop—he just stares back with this hollow, vacant expression right before the shot rings out and freezes your blood. Then you see De Niro break down in tears. It is truly gut-wrenching. I’m curious, though, how many of you actually sat through this three-hour masterpiece?

If you ask me, it’s the greatest film ever made.
That being said, I’d also have to throw Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars and Ripley from Alien into the ring.

Billy Bob Thornton in "No Country for Old Men"

Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Arnie in Terminator 2 and 3

Anonymous said:Terminator 2 ... 😬 kmeeee

Total classic. 🙂 That scene is a total tear-jerker—way more intense than that Titanic stuff...

Michael Corleone!
It’s the ultimate proof of how power corrupts—the guy actually ordered the hit on his own brother. 😂