20 Best and Most Unforgettable Robert Duvall Movies of All Time Ranked
From 'Apocalypse Now' to 'Tender Mercies', Moviefone counts down the 20 best films of the late Robert Duvall's award-winning and legendary career.
Robert Duvall in 'The Apostle'. Photo: October Films.
Robert Duvall was one of the most beloved and celebrated actors of all time.
He appeared in some of the greatest movies ever made including 'To Kill a Mockingbird', 'M*A*S*H', 'The Godfather', 'The Godfather Part II', 'Network', and 'Apocalypse Now', and gave groundbreaking performances in films like 'The Great Santini', 'The Apostle', 'A Civil Action', and 'Tender Mercies', which earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor.
In honor of Robert Duvall's passing, Moviefone is counting down the 20 best films and performances of Duvall's legendary career.
Let's begin!
Related Article: 'The Godfather' and 'Apocalypse Now' Actor Robert Duvall Dies At 95
20. 'The Judge' (2014)
(L to R) Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall in 'The Judge'. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
A successful lawyer (Robert Downey Jr.) returns to his hometown for his mother's funeral only to discover that his estranged father (Duvall), the town's judge, is suspected of murder.
19. 'THX 1138' (1971)
People in the future live in a totalitarian society. A technician named THX 1138 (Duvall) lives a mundane life between work and taking a controlled consumption of drugs that the government uses to make puppets out of people. As THX is without drugs for the first time he has feelings for a woman and they start a secret relationship.
18. 'Crazy Heart' (2010)
When reporter Jean Craddock (Maggie Gyllenhaal) interviews Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges), an alcoholic, seen-better-days country music legend—they connect, and the hard-living crooner sees a possible saving grace in a life with Jean and her young son.
17. 'Falling Down' (1993)
An ordinary man (Michael Douglas) frustrated with the various flaws he sees in society begins to psychotically and violently lash out against them.
16. 'Days of Thunder' (1990)
Talented but unproven stock car driver Cole Trickle (Tom Cruise) gets a break and with the guidance of veteran Harry Hogge (Duvall) turns heads on the track. The young hotshot develops a rivalry with a fellow racer (Michael Rooker) that threatens his career when the two smash their cars. But with the help of his doctor (Nicole Kidman), Cole just might overcome his injuries-- and his fear.
15. 'Open Range' (2003)
(L to R) Kevin Costner and Robert Duvall in 'Open Range'. Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.
A former gunslinger (Kevin Costner) is forced to take up arms again when he and his cattle crew are threatened by a corrupt lawman (Michael Gambon).
14. 'Sling Blade' (1996)
Karl Childers (Billy Bob Thornton), a mentally disabled man, has been in the custody of the state mental hospital since the age of 12 for killing his mother and her lover. Although thoroughly institutionalized, he is deemed fit to be released into the outside world.
13. 'True Grit' (1969)
The murder of her father sends a teenage tomboy (Kim Darby) on a mission of 'justice', which involves avenging her father's death. She recruits a tough old marshal, 'Rooster' Cogburn (John Wayne) because he has 'true grit', and a reputation of getting the job done.
12. 'Bullitt' (1968)
Senator Walter Chalmers (Robert Vaughn) is aiming to take down mob boss Pete Ross (Vic Tayback) with the help of testimony from the criminal's hothead brother Johnny (Pat Renella), who is in protective custody in San Francisco under the watch of police lieutenant Frank Bullitt (Steve McQueen). When a pair of mob hitmen enter the scene, Bullitt follows their trail through a maze of complications and double-crosses. This thriller includes one of the most famous car chases ever filmed.
11. 'To Kill a Mockingbird' (1963)
Scout Finch (Mary Badham) and her older brother Jem (Phillip Alford), live in sleepy Maycomb, Alabama, spending much of their time with their friend Dill and spying on their reclusive and mysterious neighbor, Boo Radley (Duvall). When Atticus (Gregory Peck), their widowed father and a respected lawyer, defends a black man named Tom Robinson (Brock Peters) against fabricated rape charges, the trial and tangent events expose the children to evils of racism and stereotyping.
10. 'A Civil Action' (1998)
Robert Duvall in 'A Civil Action'. Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.
Jan Schlickmann (John Travolta) is a cynical lawyer who goes out to 'get rid of' a case, only to find out it is potentially worth millions. The case becomes his obsession, to the extent that he is willing to give up everything—including his career and his clients' goals—in order to continue the case against all odds.
9. 'Colors' (1988)
A confident young cop (Sean Penn) is shown the ropes by a veteran partner (Duvall) in the dangerous gang-controlled barrios of Los Angeles, where the gang culture is enforced by the colors the members wear.
8. 'The Great Santini' (1980)
As he approaches manhood, Ben Meechum (Michael O'Keefe) struggles to win the approval of his demanding alpha male father (Duvall), an aggressively competitive, but frustrated marine pilot.
7. 'M*A*S*H' (1970)
One of the world's most acclaimed comedies, M*A*S*H focuses on three Korean War Army surgeons brilliantly brought to life by Donald Sutherland, Tom Skerritt and Elliott Gould. Though highly skilled and deeply dedicated, they adopt a hilarious, lunatic lifestyle as an antidote to the tragedies of their Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, and in the process infuriate Army bureaucrats. Robert Duvall, Gary Burghoff and Sally Kellerman co-star as a sanctimonious Major, an other-worldly Corporal, and a self-righteous yet lusty nurse.
6. 'Network' (1976)
When veteran anchorman Howard Beale (Peter Finch) is forced to retire his 25-year post because of his age, he announces to viewers that he will kill himself during his farewell broadcast. Network executives rethink their decision when his fanatical tirade results in a spike in ratings.
5. 'Apocalypse Now' (2019)
Robert Duvall in 'Apocalypse Now'. Photo: United Artists.
At the height of the Vietnam war, Captain Benjamin Willard (Martin Sheen) is sent on a dangerous mission that, officially, "does not exist, nor will it ever exist." His goal is to locate - and eliminate - a mysterious Green Beret Colonel named Walter Kurtz (Marlon Brando), who has been leading his personal army on illegal guerrilla missions into enemy territory.
4. 'Tender Mercies' (1983)
Alcoholic former country singer Mac Sledge (Duvall) makes friends with a young widow (Tess Harper) and her son. The friendship enables him to find inspiration to resume his career.
3. 'The Apostle' (1997)
After his happy life spins out of control, a preacher (Duvall) from Texas changes his name, goes to Louisiana and starts preaching on the radio.
2. 'The Godfather Part II' (1974)
In the continuing saga of the Corleone crime family, a young Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro) grows up in Sicily and in 1910s New York. In the 1950s, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) attempts to expand the family business into Las Vegas, Hollywood and Cuba.
1. 'The Godfather' (1972)
Robert Duvall in 'The Godfather'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
In the years 1945 to 1955, a chronicle of the fictional Italian-American Corleone crime family. When organized crime family patriarch, Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) barely survives an attempt on his life, his youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino) steps in to take care of the would-be killers, launching a campaign of bloody revenge.
