Screen legend Sir
Anthony Hopkins has created a brilliant career spanning the decades
playing complex characters across genres, with forays into
thrillers, biographies and dramas to name but a few. To celebrate the
release of his latest film, KIDNAPPING
FREDDY HEINEKEN, out on Blu-ray and DVD from the 8th
June 2015 courtesy of Signature Entertainment, we take a look
back at some of his greatest films.
KIDNAPPING FREDDY
HEINEKEN (2015)
This film captures one of the most audacious
and infamous crimes in recent history. When low-level career
criminals Cor Van Hout (Jim Sturgess), Willem Holleeder (Sam
Worthington) and friends are turned down for a
bank loan they decide to solve all of their problems in one
fell swoop by kidnapping Freddy Heineken (Sir Anthony Hopkins).
Heineken, heir to the brewing empire and one of the wealthiest men in
the Netherlands and his driver are captured and held for 21 days
before a ransom of 35 million Dutch guilders is paid – equivalent
to €15 million and still the largest sum ever paid as a ransom for
a single person. However, the reality of life on the run and the
pressures of guilt soon begin to infect the group as it starts to
unravel from within.
The Silence of
the Lambs (1991)
This thriller classic
dominated the box office when it came out in 1991 becoming the
highest grossing film of that year. Not only did this film earn five
major academy awards, but it made Hopkins a superstar. Hopkins stars
as Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a smart psychiatrist who also happens to be a
disturbing cannibalistic serial killer. FBI agent Clarice Starling
(Jodie Foster) turns to Lecter in hopes that insight into him can
help her stop another serial killer. Hopkins delivers a charismatic
yet chilling performance that is sure to give you the chills no
matter how many times you watch it.
Nixon
(1995)
This biographical film
follows the complex life of former United States president Richard
Nixon. Hopkins starred in the lead role of Richard Nixon despite not
being the obvious choice for the role initially. He proved his
critics wrong by delivering an amazing performance that earned him an
Academy Award nomination. Hopkins captured the deeply flawed person
Nixon was while managing to gain the audience’s sympathy
simultaneously.
Hannibal
(2001)
In this film Anthony
Hopkins reprises his iconic role of Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Once again
Hopkins brings a chilling performance to the screen that leaves the
audience mesmerised. This time we find Lecter has escaped from
custody and is in Italy. Mason Verger (Gary Oldman), a surviving
victim of Lecter wants revenge and decides to use Clarice Starling
(Julianna Moore) to lure him out and get it.
The Elephant
Man (1980)
This biopic follows the
man whose physical deformities made him notoriously known as the
elephant man. Dr. Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins) finds John
Merrick (John Hurt) working as sideshow act, and decides to bring him
home. Treves quickly realizes that Merrick has a heart of gold and
could teach high society a thing or two about dignity and class.
Hopkins’ character may not have been the lead role, but the
kindness and humanity he brought to the role made him a standout.
Fracture
(2007)
This crime drama
follows Ted Crawford (Anthony Hopkins), a structural engineer who
shoots his wife and signs a confession admitting to it. This
seemingly open and shut case takes a thrilling turn when Crawford
insists on going to trial and defending himself. Willy Beachum (Ryan
Gosling), the prosecutor sent to put Crawford away, quickly learns he
has quite the cunning adversary on his hands.
Meet Joe Black
(1998)
This film takes an
interesting look at death and life and the little things in life we
take for granted too often. William Parrish (Anthony Hopkins) is a
successful business man whose death is imminent, but in an attempt to
have a little more time he agrees to be a guide to Death. Parrish
teaches Death, who the world perceives as a man named Joe Black (Brad
Pitt), about life and what it is to be alive.
The Human
Stain (2003)
This film follows the
secret of disgraced former college professor Coleman Silk (Anthony
Hopkins). Silk’s romance with young Faunia Farley (Nicole Kidman)
forces him to face his dark past that holds a surprising personal
secret he’s held onto for 50 years. Little do people know there is
a lot more than meets the eye when it comes to understanding who Silk
is. Hopkins delivers an intense yet mesmerizing performance in this
role.
The Edge
(1997)
This action packed
thriller will keep you at the edge of your seat wondering what will
happen next. This wilderness survival film follows Charles Morse
(Anthony Hopkins) and Robert Green (Alec Baldwin) and the uncertain
circumstances that follow them after their plane crashes in the wild.
Between the plot twist, bear fights, betrayal, and jealousy this film
has all things needed to capture and hold your attention till the
very end.
Thor
(2011)
This Marvel
superhero-based film was an instant hit in theatres capturing
audiences with its simplicity and action packed development. The
film follows Thor (Chris Hemsworth), who is set to inherit the throne
from his aging father, king of the Norse gods, Odin (Anthony
Hopkins). Things are set to go as planned until Thor’s brutal and
thoughtless actions against their enemies force his father to banish
him to earth as punishment. Hopkins portrays Odin with strength and
truly captures the fatherly component of the character teaching his
son a life lesson. Although Hopkins’ role is short in the film his
regal presence is felt throughout.
***
KIDNAPPING
FREDDY HEINEKEN arrives on Blu-ray and DVD from 8th
June, 2015, courtesy of Signature Entertainment.