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Summary
With a career that lasted more than 50 years , Bernard Hillwas an established English actor who leave an impressive mark on the world of moving picture and television . woefully , Hill pass away in 2024 at 79 , but his physical structure of work across film and telecasting amounted to an impressive bequest full of knock-down and nuanced performances in various genres and styles . With an intense loyalty to every role he played , Hill made a name for himself in the eighties and continue taking on acclaimed office until his final class .
Hill ’s earliest roles included workings - class British icon Yosser Hughes on the legendaryBoys from the Blackstufftelevision series . In the world of movies , Hill was eff for affirm roles in some ofthe most successful films of all time , includingTitanicand Peter Jackson’sThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy . Looking back on his impressive career , it ’s unbelievable how manygreat movies and goggle box shows Hill was a part of over the years .
10A Very Social Secretary (2005)
Bernard Hill as David Blunkett
Hill ’s performance was inspired as he efficaciously mime Blunkett ’s foible and characteristic throughoutA Very Social Secretary .
One of Bernard Hill ’s most memorable television character was in the 2005made - for - television set movieA Very Social Secretary , a satirical look at the public scandal involving the former British Home Secretary David Blunkett . Hill hilariously portrayed Blunkett as the fallout from his affair with an American diarist became public . For those who had followed the controversy , Hill ’s performance was inspired as he effectively mimicked Blunkett ’s mannerismsand characteristics throughoutA Very Social Secretary .
With razor - incisive wit and a shorten satiric edge , watch out as Hill like an expert present a Labour political leader in bottom with the right press , and not in a metaphoric agency , was a joke - out - loud lampooning of current effect . Other highlight included Robert Lindsay as Tony Blair and Stuart McQuarrie as Boris Johnson , long before he became the British premier government minister . A clever piece of political comment , A Very Social Secretarycame out the same yr as the first series of the BBC sitcomThe Thick Of It , which prove what a great time 2005 was for uproarious political satire .
9The Bounty (1984)
Bernard Hill as William Cole
The Bountywas an larger-than-life British swashbuckler adventure thatfeatured Bernard Hill in the supporting function of Wiliam Cole . As the story of a ship crew who were fed up with their captain ’s rigid bailiwick and determine to surface against him and take military action , Hill was surrounded by a superstar - studded mould that included Anthony Hopkins , Mel Gibson , Laurence Olivier , and Daniel Day - Lewis . The Bountytold the true tale of a mutiny against Royal Navy Lieutenant William Bligh and was noteworthy for its realism and historic accuracy .
Hill more than hold his own among the impressive roster of gifted actors inThe Bounty , as Mr. Cole stood as one of the most memorable members of the ship ’s gang . A high - bouncy and intelligent risky venture , The Bountywas just one of many adaptation of the mutiny on the HMS Bounty in 1789 . antecedently celebrated adjustment sport other significant stars like Clark Gable and Marlon Brando .
8Shirley Valentine (1989)
Bernard Hill as Joe Bradshaw
Shirley Valentinewas a amatory comedy - drama about a disgruntled housewife who decided to rekindle her puerility dreaming and rediscover her making love for life sentence . While Pauline Collins star as the titular Shirley , Bernard Hill hilariously trifle her husband , Joe Bradshaw , and perfectly captured how a once exciting romance can , over the years , degenerate into dull domestic drudgery . Shirley finger like her husband and children treated her like a servant , andHill ’s performance was a wild presentation of the clueless husband who never gave his married woman the love and attention she neededto feel fulfilled in their family relationship .
As Shirley rethink her entire existence with her husband , Joe complain about his dinner not being ready on time . Shirley Valentinewas initially based on a one - character manoeuvre by Willy Russell , but the addition of Hill and the residual of Shirley ’s kinsfolk made this such an pleasurable , lesser - known 1980s domestic dramatic play . While Hill ’s most well - known roles were often in massive , heavy - budget production , Shirley Valentinehighlighted his skill at act more subtle , everyday characters like Joe .
7Great Expectations (1999)
Bernard Hill as Magwitch
Throughout his acclaimed career , Bernard Hill made a name for himself with a impregnable performance in period dramas , and one of his very best was in the 1999 BBC goggle box film adaptation ofGreat Expectations . Hill played Magwitch , one of the most essential persona in Charles Dickens ’s original novel , as he was Pip ’s benefactor and was instrumental in switch his viewpoint of the universe . As such , Magwitch instigate much of the plot ofGreat Expectations , even if he was not on blind for most of the film .
While there have been many adaptation ofGreat Expectations , this version stand out as one of the most powerful , and Hill render a magnificent public presentation as Magwitch . With unbelievable costume designs , strong direction , and an incredible score , Great Expectationsset the legal profession very high for subsequent BBC Dickens - based productions . Although Hill ’s part as Magwitch was not a leading part , Hill ’s appearances stand up as the most exciting aspect ofGreat Expectationsas he bookended the offset and end of the film .
6Gandhi (1982)
Bernard Hill as Sergeant Putnam
Cast
One of Bernard Hill ’s earliest film roles was as Sergeant Putnam in Richard Attenborough ’s fantastic biopicGandhi . Although Hill ’s function inGandhiwas underage , it was also his first step into substantial productions and would signal the honest beginning of his unbelievable life history . As a massively acclaimed moving-picture show thattook home eight Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Hill ’s small role inGandhiwould unfold the room access to bigger and more pregnant partsmoving forward as his career shape up from strength to forte throughout the eighties and 1990s .
WhileGandhifamously starred Ben Kingsley as the non - violent resistance leader Mahatma Gandhi , the motion-picture show featured a huge cast of sustain character such as Hill as Sergeant Putnam . A true must - see film for its incredible emotional wallop and powerful political themes , Gandhiwas the crowing achievement of director Attenborough and was one of the big motion-picture show worldwide in 1982 . In India , Gandhialso received far-flung acclamation and became the highest - grossing foreign picture show ever in the country at the time of its discharge ( viaThe Jam Report . )
5Wolf Hall (2015)
Bernard Hill as Duke of Norfolk
Bernard Hill ’s part as the Duke of Norfolk in the first series of the BBC diachronic dramaWolf Hallwas his most meaning role in the latter phase of his career . This fictional life history , an adaptation of Hilary Mantel ’s novelsWolf HallandBring Up the Bodies , tracked Thomas Crowell ’s rapid rise to powerfulness under King Henry VIII.Wolf Hallreceived irresistibly confirming reviews when it was released , as its incredible tending to detail genuinely fetch Mantel ’s novels to life .
Hill stood out as one of the enceinte stomach characters in the entire series , which was an impressive effort among such a large cast of characters of secondary roles . Mark Rylance and Damien Lewis equate impressively with their lead carrying into action , Thomas Cromwell and Henry VIII . A second serial ofWolf Hallis in pre - production , and Timothy Spall has been remould in Hill ’s role . Hopefully , he can populate up to the high expectation set by Hill ’s execution .
4True Crime (1999)
Bernard Hill as Warden Luther Plunkitt
Clint Eastwood ’s insightful mysteryTrue Crimeexplored an over - the - mound journalist on a commission to expose grounds that can prove a death row convict ’s innocence as the threat of slaying loomed large . Bernard Hill gave an incredible supporting performance as Warden Luther Plunkitt , the prison guard who bulge out to doubt the hardiness of the killer ’s guilty conscience . With many move share as the truth was slowly revealed , straight Crimewas aforgotten Clint Eastwood movie that deserved more love .
Hill and other acclaimed support cast fellow member like James Woods , Lucy Liu , and Michael McKean aid anchorTrue Crimewith an impressive roll of gifted actors . Plunkett ’s realization that Steve Everett ( Eastwood ) may be tell the the true help add suspense to this thriller in the hours leading up to the implementation . With a slow chassis toward its grand finish , True Crimewas an first-class fibre - driven race - against - the - clock way story .
3Boys From The Blackstuff (1982)
Bernard Hill as Yosser Hughes
Bernard Hill ’s crowning accomplishment on television receiver came early in his calling with the role of Yosser Hughes in Alan Bleasdale ’s hard - hitting drama serialBoys from the Blackstuff . A highly relevant series at the clip of its spillage , boy from the Blackstufffollowed five unemployed homo who would do just about anything to get a job amid the financial woefulness and recession of Thatcher ’s Britain . Hill ’s operation stood out as intensely herculean and was the primary point of discussion follow the series release .
Yosser Hughes became an ikon of Thatcherite Britain during the 1980sas his catch phrase “ gizza caper ” acted as a singular input on the serious issue of mass unemployment . Hill did an unbelievable job of portraying Yosser ’s mental health struggle as he was driven to the edge of insanity with the going of his job , wife , and child . Hill ’s purpose efficaciously summed up the gloomy temper of Britain during this era and the workings - form military man who were being left behind by a beau monde that no longer valued their science set .
2Titanic (1997)
Bernard Hill as Captain Edward John Smith
Titanic is the 1997 blockbuster amatory / catastrophe epic based on the events surrounding the sinking of the fabled " unsinkable " watercraft . Flashing back to the yesteryear and forward to the present , the moving-picture show primarily follow the stories of the well - to - do and fairly timid Rose and the poor but lively Jack , star - crossed lovers who meet aboard the doomed ship . In addition , the film tells true and fictionalized story of the rider of the RMS Titanic , with an quondam Rose recounting her tale to the crew of a inquiry ship .
One of Bernard Hill ’s greatest roles came with the press release of James Cameron’sTitanic , in which he played the genuine historical name of Captain Edward John Smith . Hill ’s portrayal of Smith and his tragical demise on the sinking ship became all the more grievous with the fact that the voyage of theTitanicwas to be his final expedition before retiring . The fit whereSmith accepted his luck and retreated to the wheelhouse as the ship go downwas one of the most compelling moments inTitanic .
As the highest - gross movie of all time before it was eventually outgrossed by Cameron ’s next movie , Avatar , Titanic’ssuccess was due to its telling mold of supporting characters , which included the ilk of Hill and Kathy Bates in memorable role . With 11 Academy Award wins , Titanicwas a striking cinematic result with powerful visual effect and a compelling historical account . Hill ’s use as a skipper who choose to go down with his ship was a heartbreaking and extremely memorable functioning .
1The Lord Of The Rings (2001 – 2003)
Bernard Hill as Théoden
The Lord of the Rings is a multimedia system franchise lie of several movies and a telly show released by Amazon titled The Lord of the Rings : The Rings of Power . The enfranchisement is based on J.R.R. Tolkien ’s book serial publication that begin in 1954 with The Fellowship of the Ring . The Lord of the Rings saw mainstream popularity with Peter Jackson ’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogy .
Bernard Hill ’s greatest role was his exceptional performance as Théoden , King of Rohan , across Peter Jackson’sThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy . Théoden appeared inThe Two TowersandThe Return of the Kingand was an implemental ally in the war against Saruman and Sauron . With a knock-down onscreen personal magnetism and real emotional depth , Hill depict Théoden as he led the Rohirrim into the Battle of the Pelennor Fields and was an important warrior who courageously fought and died in battle .
With a career that lasted more than 50 years , persona such as Théoden contributed to Hill ’s impressive legacy and long - live on wallop on celluloid and television .
Hill ’s performance as Théoden was one of the most underrated office in the entireThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy , and he truly excelled in every scene he was in . From weeping for his son Theodred to the rousing speeches that he surrender , Hill put his all into his portrayal of Théoden , and his vivid commitment to the part shine through . With a vocation that last more than 50 year , persona such as Théoden contributed to Hill ’s impressive legacy and long - lasting impact on celluloid and television .
Sources : The Jam Report
Custom image by Simone Ashmoore.
