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Over the span of 40 years, Harrison Ford has headlined some of the industry’s most celebrated and remembered films. And while some would likely argue that his years at the top of the box office are over, picking a top ten really wasn’t very easy.
I’m sure someone will find fault with what I’ve chosen, but here they are, the Top Ten films of Harrison Ford:
10. The Devil’s Own
This was not only the #10 choice, it was also the last film I selected to be on the list. It’s probably one of Ford’s more understated performances, and he pulls it off nicely. Plus, it’s good to see him as a regular NYPD cop, the kind of everyman role that helped make him a star.
9. Patriot Games
Ford’s first and best turn as Tom Clancy’s unflappable Jack Ryan. It’s a strong thriller, with some great moments that play to his strengths. The story remains fairly faithful to the book, making it all the better for it. A well-crafted actioner.
8. Working Girl
This was Harrison Ford’s first light-hearted comedic role since 1979’s The Frisco Kid, and he does it well with a dry sense of humor and charm. He also holds his own against Sigourney Weaver—who was nominated for an Oscar—and Melanie Griffith, who peaked with this film.
7. Frantic
Filmed in France by the now-in-jail Roman Polanski, it’s a tight, wonderfully-crafted thriller that once again features Ford in the everyman role thrown into an unbelievable situation. Hitchcockian to a fault, it’s a slightly grittier version of the Ford persona than he delivered in other films, but in many ways more effective.
6. The Fugitive
Alec Baldwin ultimately lost two high-profile roles to Harrison Ford. The first was Jack Ryan, the second was Dr. Richard Kimble, the wrong-accused doctor hunting for the one-armed man he knows killed his wife. This film version of the popular television series, this is just a great flick. Fast pace, great characters, strong acting. Even though Tommy Lee Jones gets all the attention—and ultimately one an Oscar—Ford also delivered a strong, sympathetic performance.
5. Witness
It was the film that gave Harrison Ford his one and only Oscar nomination, and spawn an obsession in movies and television with the Amish that would last at least a decade (if not more). And good he is, as a Philadelphia cop living among the Amish as he struggles to protect a young Amish boy from crooked cops. It’s a wonderfully directed film from Peter Weir, with some terrific music and strong performances all around.
4. Empire Strikes Back
It’s hard to just point to just one of the Star Wars films, but since I couldn’t—and honestly, wouldn’t—but all three of the ones he appeared in on this list, I went with the second in the original trilogy. The darkest, most well-written of the three, it also featured Ford at his best in the role of Han Solo. This was Star Wars at its best—of all the films—and also Ford.
3. Blade Runner
I need to be clear, there is only one version of the film I’m making note of here. Forget the director’s cut or any other revisionist nonsense. Blade Runner is here based upon the original, and superior theatrical release. It’s an excellent, film noir detective tale, and Ford is awesome. I don’t care if he and director Ridley Scott hated the voice overs and stuff, that’s what made that move great. This often-imitated, never beaten sci-fi thriller is great stuff.
2. Raiders of the Lost Ark
The first of the Indiana Jones adventures is an amazingly crafted piece of entertainment. It also features one of the best characters in film history. Although Ford wasn’t the first choice—as much as I may like Tom Selleck, I can’t see him play the part and not have the movie work as well—but he was the best. And Raiders was so well written, crafted so perfectly, this film could easily be ranked as Ford’s best. But, for that choice, I had to go with...
1. Mosquito Coast
Although Harrison Ford got the Academy Award nomination for his role in Witness, he should have nailed it with this one. The problem was Michael Douglas, who walked away with the statuette for his role in Wall Street. But Ford wasn’t nominated (he did get a Golden Globe nod), and that’s a shame, because this is hands down his best performance. Ford plays Allie Fox, a driven, egomaniacal inventor who moves his reluctant kids to Central America where his God complex ultimately leads to disaster. Again, Ford works with Peter Weir, who has managed to pull the best performances out of Ford throughout his career. This mixed with a great story and terrific characters put this one on top. Over the course of his career, Ford has yet to be as good as he was in this.
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