Christopher Plummer’s Greatest Performances: A Look into His Iconic Films

The Sound of Music is a classic musical film based on the true story of the von Trapp family, who fled Nazi-occupied Austria in 1938. Christopher Plummer plays Captain Georg von Trapp, a widowed naval officer and father of seven children. He hires Maria (Julie Andrews), a young nun, as a governess for his children. Maria brings joy and music to the household and falls in love with the captain. Plummer portrays the captain as a stern but kind man who gradually softens his attitude and rediscovers his passion for music and life. He also shows courage and loyalty when he refuses to join the Nazi navy and decides to escape with his family. Plummer’s performance is praised for its depth, charm, and chemistry with Andrews. He sings some of the memorable songs in the film, such as “Edelweiss” and “Something Good.”

The Man Who Would Be King is an adventure film based on a short story by Rudyard Kipling. Christopher Plummer plays Kipling, a journalist and writer who meets two former British soldiers, Daniel Dravot (Sean Connery) and Peachy Carnehan (Michael Caine), in India. They tell him their plan to travel to the remote land of Kafiristan and become kings. Kipling warns them of the dangers and tries to dissuade them, but they ignore him. Plummer portrays Kipling as a curious and sympathetic narrator fascinated by the stories of the two adventurers. He also serves as a moral voice who questions their motives and actions. Plummer’s performance is praised for its subtlety, wit, and elegance. He also narrates the film and recites some of Kipling’s poems, such as “The Law of the Jungle” and “The Ballad of East and West.”

It is a mystery film that depicts Sherlock Holmes (Christopher Plummer) and Dr. Watson (James Mason) investigating the Jack the Ripper murders in London. They discover a conspiracy involving the Freemasons, the royal family, and the police. They also encounter other famous characters, such as Annie Crook (Geneviève Bujold), Mary Kelly (Susan Clark), and Robert Lees (Donald Sutherland). Plummer plays Holmes as a brilliant but compassionate detective haunted by the horrors of the Case and the injustice of society. His interactions with Watson and others also show humor, charisma, and emotion. Plummer’s performance is praised for its originality, complexity, and humanity. He also delivers some of the memorable lines in the film, such as “The most difficult crime to solve is the one which is never committed” and “The game’s afoot.”

It is a thriller film that follows Charles Heller (John Savage), a CIA cryptographer who seeks revenge for the murder of his fiancée by terrorists in Munich. He blackmails his superiors into sending him to Czechoslovakia to assassinate the mastermind behind the attack. Christopher Plummer plays James Mallory, a CIA deputy director who reluctantly agrees to Heller’s demand. He also secretly plots to eliminate Heller after the mission. Plummer portrays Mallory as a cold and ruthless operative willing to sacrifice anyone for his own interests. He also shows intelligence, cunning, and authority in his dealings with Heller and other agents. Plummer’s performance is praised for its intensity, realism, and contrast with Savage’s character. He also delivers some of the sharp dialogues in the film, such as “You’re an amateur, Mr. Heller. You’re out of your depth” and “You’re not a hero. You’re a fool”.

The Scarlet and the Black is a historical drama film based on the true story of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty (Gregory Peck), a Vatican official who helped save thousands of Jews and Allied prisoners from the Nazis in Rome during World War II. Christopher Plummer plays Colonel Herbert Kappler, the SS chief of police who tries to capture and kill O’Flaherty. He also develops respect and friendship with him over time. Plummer plays Kappler as a complex and conflicted villain torn between his duty and his conscience. He also shows courage, honor, and remorse in his actions and decisions. Plummer’s performance is praised for its nuance, depth, and chemistry with Peck. He also delivers some of the power lines in the film, such as “I am a soldier. I obey orders” and “You are a great man, Monsignor. You have taught me much”.

It is a biographical drama film based on the true story of Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe), a former tobacco executive who exposed the industry’s lies and cover-ups in a 60 Minutes interview with Mike Wallace (Christopher Plummer). He faced threats, lawsuits, and personal troubles as a result. Plummer plays Wallace as a legendary and respected journalist, initially skeptical and impatient with Wigand but later becomes supportive and protective of him. He also faces pressure and interference from his bosses at CBS, who try to censor the interview. Plummer portrays Wallace as a complex and charismatic figure passionate about his work and integrity. He also shows emotion, humor, and anger in his interactions with Wigand and others. Plummer’s performance is praised for its accuracy, authenticity, and impact. He also delivers some of the memorable lines in the film, such as “I don’t plan to spend the end of my days wandering in the wilderness of National Public Radio” and “Are you a businessman or are you a newsman?”.

It is a biographical drama film based on the life of John Nash (Russell Crowe), a Nobel Prize-winning mathematician with schizophrenia. Christopher Plummer plays Dr. Rosen, a psychiatrist who diagnoses and treats Nash. He also helps Nash’s wife Alicia (Jennifer Connelly) cope with his condition. Plummer plays Dr. Rosen as a professional and compassionate doctor concerned about Nash’s well-being and recovery. He also shows patience, honesty, and empathy in his dealings with Nash and Alicia. Plummer’s performance is praised for its subtlety, dignity, and warmth. He also delivers some of the critical lines in the film, such as “You are an exceptional human being” and “You have to help him discover who he is.” Plummer also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film.

It is a period drama film based on the novel by Charles Dickens. It follows the adventures and misfortunes of Nicholas Nickleby (Charlie Hunnam), a young man who tries to protect his family and friends from his cruel uncle Ralph (Christopher Plummer). Ralph is a wealthy and ruthless businessman who exploits and abuses his employees, relatives, and associates. He also plots to ruin Nicholas’s life and happiness. Plummer plays Ralph as a wicked and greedy villain driven by his hatred and envy of Nicholas. His actions and words also show cunning, sarcasm, and malice. Plummer’s performance is praised for its power, intensity, and fidelity to the original character. He also delivers some of the memorable lines in the film, such as “There are no friends in business” and “I will destroy him as he has destroyed me.”

Syriana is a political thriller film that explores the complex and interconnected issues of the oil industry, terrorism, corruption, and geopolitics in the Middle East. Christopher Plummer plays Dean Whiting, a powerful and influential lawyer representing a major oil company. He also manipulates and controls various politicians, agents, and businessmen to serve his interests and agenda. He is involved in a merger deal, a coup plot, and a murder cover-up. Plummer plays Whiting as a sinister and ruthless puppet master behind many of the events and conflicts in the film. He also shows intelligence, charisma, and authority in his scenes and dialogues. Plummer’s performance is praised for its subtlety, realism, and impact. He also delivers some chilling lines in the film, such as “Corruption charges! Corruption? Corruption is government intrusion into market efficiencies in the form of regulations” and “You want to know what the business world thinks of you? We think 100 years ago you were living out here in tents in the desert chopping each other’s heads off and that’s exactly where you’re going to be in another 100”.

It is a heist film that follows the negotiations and investigation of a bank robbery orchestrated by Dalton Russell (Clive Owen). Christopher Plummer plays Arthur Case, the founder and chairman of the bank. He also has a dark secret: he collaborated with the Nazis during World War II and obtained a valuable diamond from a Jewish family. He hires a fixer, Madeline White (Jodie Foster), to retrieve the diamond from his safe deposit box before the robbers or the police find it. Plummer plays Case as a wealthy and respected businessman, who is also guilty and fearful of his past. He also shows desperation, regret and shame in his scenes and dialogues. Plummer’s performance is praised for its complexity, emotion and contrast with Owen’s character. He also delivers some of the poignant lines in the film, such as “I’ve done questionable things” and “I can’t undo what I’ve done”.

It is a historical drama film based on the final year of Leo Tolstoy’s (Christopher Plummer) life. It depicts his struggle with his wife Sofya (Helen Mirren), who opposes his plan to leave his estate and royalties to the public. It also follows his relationship with his loyal disciple Vladimir Chertkov (Paul Giamatti) and his new secretary Valentin Bulgakov (James McAvoy). Plummer plays Tolstoy as a legendary and revered writer, who is also conflicted and tormented by his ideals and his love. He also shows humor, wisdom and passion in his scenes and dialogues. Plummer’s performance is praised for its richness, vitality and authenticity. He also delivers some of the memorable lines in the film, such as “I’m surrounded by flatterers and fools” and “I love you. You are my life”. Plummer also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role in the film.

It is a fantasy film that follows the adventures of Doctor Parnassus (Christopher Plummer), an immortal storyteller who can create and manipulate realities through his magic mirror. He also made a deal with the devil, Mr. Nick (Tom Waits), to exchange his immortality for the soul of his daughter Valentina (Lily Cole) on her 16th birthday. He tries to save her with the help of his troupe and a mysterious stranger, Tony (Heath Ledger). Plummer plays Parnassus as a whimsical and eccentric old man, who is also desperate and determined to protect his daughter. He also shows creativity, courage and sorrow in his scenes and dialogues. Plummer’s performance is praised for its charm, energy and versatility. He also delivers some of the imaginative lines in the film, such as “Nothing is permanent, not even death” and “The world is not what it seems. It’s so much better”.

Beginners is a comedy-drama film based on the true story of the director Mike Mills’ father. It follows the relationship between Oliver (Ewan McGregor), a graphic designer who struggles with love and commitment, and his father Hal (Christopher Plummer), who comes out as gay at the age of 75 after his wife’s death. He also has terminal cancer and lives his life to the fullest with his young lover Andy (Goran Visnjic). Plummer plays Hal as a joyful and liberated man, who is also brave and honest about his feelings and his condition. He also shows humor, affection and wisdom in his scenes and dialogues. Plummer’s performance is praised for its humor, emotion and authenticity. He also delivers some of the touching lines in the film, such as “I don’t want to be just theoretically gay. I want to do something about it” and “You make me laugh but it’s not funny”. Plummer also won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a crime thriller film based on the novel by Stieg Larsson. It follows the investigation of Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig), a journalist who is hired by Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer), a wealthy industrialist, to solve the disappearance of his niece Harriet 40 years ago. He teams up with Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), a hacker and a survivor of abuse, who has a dragon tattoo on her back. Plummer plays Vanger as a frail and lonely old man, who is obsessed with finding out the truth about his niece. He also shows kindness, gratitude and remorse in his scenes and dialogues. Plummer’s performance is praised for its subtlety, vulnerability and contrast with Craig’s and Mara’s characters. He also delivers some of the intriguing lines in the film, such as “I’ve been trapped in this island like a rat for 40 years” and “The past is always with us”.

It is a crime drama film based on the true story of the kidnapping of John Paul Getty III (Charlie Plummer), the grandson of J. Paul Getty (Christopher Plummer), the richest man in the world. It follows the efforts of his mother Gail Harris (Michelle Williams) and a former CIA operative Fletcher Chase (Mark Wahlberg) to rescue him from his captors, who demand a ransom of $17 million. Plummer plays Getty as a cold and greedy tycoon, who refuses to pay the ransom and values his money and his art more than his family. He also shows intelligence, arrogance and ruthlessness in his scenes and dialogues. Plummer’s performance is praised for its power, intensity and realism. He also delivers some of the memorable lines in the film, such as “Everything has a price. The great struggle in life is coming to terms with what that price is” and “I have no money to spare”. Plummer also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film.