Harrison Ford Turns 80: His 5 Greatest Performances

The character Indiana Jones. Solo, Han. Deckard, Rick. They are some of the most memorable characters in Hollywood history, and Harrison Ford, who turns 80 on July 13, is responsible for bringing them all to life.

Harrison Ford Turns 80: His 5 Greatest Performances, From ‘Empire Strikes Back’ to ‘The Fugitive’

He’s one of the most effective box office stars of all time, possessing starred in Tiffany franchises like Indiana Jones and Star Wars, as well as a few B+ series like the Jack Ryan films. But Ford is also a skilled actor, and his success stems from his ability to ground his characters in even the most fantastical situations.Turkey posts English 

Greatest Performances of Harrison Ford

1: The Empire Strikes Back

 Nothing in Harrison Ford’s canon can compare to Han Solo, the brash bootlegger who rediscovers his moral compass. Ford is at his best in “The Empire Strikes Back,” nailing every sarcastic aside and longing glance at Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia. Their farewell, just before Han is freeze in carbonite, is the emotional high point of the space opera franchise. The first “Star Wars” may have established Ford as a movie star, but “The Empire Strikes Back” cemented his place in history.

2: The Mosquito Coasts 

When “The Mosquito Coast” debuted in 1986, audiences were not preparing to witness Ford’s descent into madness. His Allie Fox, a brilliant inventor. Who relocates his family to the jungle, was too off-putting, narcissistic, and delusory to watch play out on screen. As a result, the film bombed at the box office and received only a half-hearted critical response. But that’s a shame, because Ford excavates deep into Fox’s heart of darkness. Also, what he finds is both terrifying and unforgettable

3: The fugitive 

The Oscar went to Tommy Lee Jones for his portrayal of a Javert-like lawman, but Ford is equally impressive as Richard Kimbell, a surgeon wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife. It’s a physically demanding performance. He makes you feel Kimbell’s cracked ribs, sprained ankles, and pulled muscles as he races against time to find the true killer. Also,  Ford’s performance in the film’s opening scenes, in which Kimbell alternates between grief over his wife’s savage death and outrage at being accusing of the crime, is among his best. “The Fugitive” is a taut, propulsive adventure that holds up surprisingly well.

4: Indiana Jones and Last Crusade 

“Raiders of the Lost Ark” is more admiring, and Ford did the hard work of creating an iconic character in that 1981 adventure. However, his portrayal of Indiana Jones matured over time. Also,  by the time “Last Crusade” arrived in 1989, that signature fedora fit like a glove. And the third instalment. It allows Ford to flex his comedic muscles — it helps that Tom Stoppard provided a witty polish to the script. Plus, Ford and Sean Connery, who plays Indy’s strict father, shine together, and their estranged relationship has genuine pathos. Why, oh why, did the Indiana Jones series not end on such a high note? If it had, we would not have had to suffer Mutt Williams’ humiliation.

5:  Working Girl

 Ford could have given Cary Grant a run for his money as a romantic comedy lead in another era. “Working Girl” belongs to Melanie Griffith as a secretary aspiring to the C-suite. But Ford’s roguish businessman Jack Trainer adds the necessary zing. He’s a deserving recipient of Griffith’s and the audience’s affection.

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