ROTTEN TOMATOES: Charlton Heston's Most Memorable Performances Comments

Charlton Heston's Most Memorable Performances

by Tim Ryan and Sara Schieron | April 07, 2008

Summary

With his classically chiseled looks and basso profundo speaking voice, Charlton Heston was an icon of old-school Hollywood. In remembrance of Heston, Rotten Tomatoes has compiled a short list of some of Heston's most famous and memorable performances. Back to Article

(1-35 of 35 posts) | Reply

The Great One writes:
on Apr 07 2008 01:48 PM

Bowling for Columbine...the end

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dracus writes:
on Apr 07 2008 02:09 PM

In reply to this comment (#1675370)
Sadly, I agree. The distain and arrogance he displayed in Bowling for Columbine and his moronic self righteous defence of the NRA will overshadow any good he may have done in his life including his vocal support for Martin Luther King. I have The Ten Commandments, Ben Hur and Planet of the Apes and Columbine was the only movie in his storied career in which he didn't overact. Despite how one might have felt about Michael Moore's tactics, no one can deny that in life Charlton Heston was his own worse enemy.

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salsafish writes:
on Apr 07 2008 03:05 PM

Lets talk movies, not politics. Not everyone who likes movies agrees with either of our political views.

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IMAmoose24 writes:
on Apr 07 2008 03:13 PM

Thank you salsafish.

Now that being said, he is one of the greats and people must show him some respect. He's more of an actor than any of the so called "actors" these days will ever be. Ben Her gets absolutely no respect. I think it barely broke the AFI 100 top films. It's easily top 20.

You will be remembered.

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glotris173 writes:
on Apr 07 2008 03:34 PM

Heston knew he would be a target for taking a stand in what he believed in, and yet he did it anyway. You need to respect that even if you disagree with him.

For an interesting speech of his, check this out:

http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=60937

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tomwaitsjr writes:
on Apr 07 2008 03:54 PM

Heston didn't just support "conservative" causes.

Ben-Hur used to be very highly regarded, and then it started some kind of tail dive.

I only have seen Charlton Heston the person with his "From my cold dead hands" NRA speech, and, as others have mentioned, Bowling for Columbine(Also, I was a bit annoyed with Moore. If I didn't like Heston before the film, I at least felt sorry for him after it.)

Of his films, I'll remember "Soylent Green is PEOPLE!. . . PEOPLE!" Better freak out overacting than Shatner. Plus that film is hilarious given the right mood.

"Damn Dirty Ape" is a close second.

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axebox writes:
on Apr 07 2008 04:00 PM

Actually, Heston's interview was heavily edited by the beloved Michael Moore who used dodgy tactics and deceit to get the response he was looking for from Heston.

I respect Heston for standing up for a belief that dates far into the beginnings of our American culture. The right to arms is our right as Americans. Fortunately, we recognize that it's out of date - our forefathers never thought that fully automatic machine guns could be invented, let alone held in the palm of a single hand.

So, I think Heston was just living in the past slightly, but definitely NOT a distant past.

If you think outlawed guns work in other countries (such as Japan), look at Canada. Guns are legal there, but the deaths are far lower than in America. Our problems with gun violence in america are not from guns but the people firing them and their teachers.

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cdubbs2121 writes:
on Apr 07 2008 04:33 PM

i think people really need to stop believing the michael moore propaganda machine and realize he was heavily editing the footage as well as combining footage from different NRA events. Its also funny he was picking on an 80 year man with alzheimers but believe everything michael moore says cause hes such a great american citizen...anyway RIP Heston...planet of the apes4 tha win

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Thundaar writes:
on Apr 07 2008 04:40 PM

Bah. No offense, but it is ridiculous to think anything he did with the conservative issues or the NRA (which I am no supporter of) will outshine anything he did on film. Please. Probably only to those who who follow lockstep with that form of political thinking and parrot those who didn't like his stance on guns. He also marched on Washington in support of Martin Luther King before many had the guts to stand up for what was right. Look at what he really stood for instead of this myopic view of him based on his stance on guns.

As for films, Ben Hur, the Planet of the Ape movies, Ten Commandments, Soylent Green, Touch of Evil - these are great films and his performances helped to make these films what they are. He was a film icon.

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darth_chef writes:
on Apr 07 2008 04:47 PM

"Soylent Green is PEOPLE!. . . PEOPLE!"

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collex writes:
on Apr 07 2008 05:14 PM

In reply to this comment (#1675560)
Sorry, but guns aren't legal in Canada in the way they are in the U.S. Every gun must be registered and you must have a license to even own one. Hunting rifle are easy to have if you have a hunting license. Hand gun are really hard to have. You cannot carry it except in a locked case. And you must be part of a firing club to have a semi-automatic. And they are hard to have. I know that because I'm a canadian.

As for Charlton Heston Himself, I love Ben-hur, like the Ten Commadments and pretty liked Soylent Green

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lightrenegade writes:
on Apr 07 2008 05:16 PM

In reply to this comment (#1675545)
So did Hitler.

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ilovemygoatee writes:
on Apr 07 2008 05:27 PM

Guns don't kill people, people kill people. And the only thing separating America from everyone else is the fact that we can own guns. I won't ever buy a gun but it has been our right since before the Revolutionary War.

Heston was an amazing actor, made great movies. So stop caring about politics or his life. Heck I could complain that Martin Luther King was a blatant adulterer and everyone would call me a racist but Heston supports something in our constitution and every hates him. What is wrong with America.

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theginsengtree writes:
on Apr 07 2008 06:06 PM

I'm surprised Bowling For Columbine isn't in here.

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CallMeBakes writes:
on Apr 07 2008 06:09 PM

Leave it to the ignorant liberals to try and stain a great man's long and rewarding career. Michael Moore's documentary is so manipulative and deceitful it's almost funny to watch. Only the easily-fooled buy into Moore's stuff.
Getting away from the clearly defined 2nd amendment allowing all Americans to own guns, Heston's career was magnificent. He has defined numerous iconic roles. He is a legend. End of story.

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ghostbear91 writes:
on Apr 07 2008 07:00 PM

Get your paws off me you damn dirty liberals!!!!
R.I.P. to a legend.

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Young Turk writes:
on Apr 07 2008 08:11 PM

The clip from Waynes World just made my day, thank you RT.

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Jimbo93 writes:
on Apr 07 2008 08:16 PM

Ben Hur is a really great epic, and Planet of the Apes is a fantastic science fiction film and surpisingly hilarious tonge in cheek comedy as well.

RIP Charlton Heston
May your iconic lines live on forever

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CoUcH ToMaToE DoUgIe writes:
on Apr 07 2008 09:38 PM

seriously, a true legend, Charlton Heston will be sorely missed.

Hey, he had views that some may disagree with but overall this was indeed a

fine man and an equally fine actor. I mean when your resume has Ben Hur (one

of the most oscar awarded films ever), The Ten Commandments, Planet of the

Apes you are an indispurable legend in my book. And even though I agree with

some of what Moore says, he showed no class in how he took advantaged of an

old Alzheimer disabled individual. I will always respect that man and i can't

always say that about moore. Still, i hope for all those sad, stupid haters

who wish to insult this desceased legend... may the same treatment be used

towards you when you pass away because those who disrespect the dearly

aparted don't deserve respect. R.I.P. Charlton Heston

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FilmBulk writes:
on Apr 07 2008 10:30 PM

Next to John Wayne Mr. Heston is the most celebrated and recognized actor in the universe. He was a great man and a terrific actor and one that will live with us forever through his marvelous films. His legacy is his life which he lived with grace and dignity. RIP Chuck Heston.

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jihad writes:
on Apr 07 2008 10:32 PM

bowling for columbine

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Rambo,John. J writes:
on Apr 08 2008 01:29 AM

The man, the myth, the legend. Mr. Heston is one of the greatest leading men of all time and I hope all of you respect this man for his indelible film career and political activism. We would be so fortunate to see a bad *** with his bravado on the big screen again.

As far as my favorite Heston movies, Ben Hur and Planet of the Apes are up their, as well as his cameos in Waynes World and Tombstone.

RIP Mr. Heston.

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Don't Tase Me Bro writes:
on Apr 08 2008 07:06 AM

Oh yeah..."movie roles"...

Somehow, I think that when we think of Heston's movie roles...Rotten Tomatoes was looking for the 'Acting' roles throughout his storied career.

'Bowling for Columbine' was not an acting role for Heston. Moore was obviously acting from a predetermined liberal script with subversive editing in the aftermath...

All Moore did was falsify his intentions to gain entry into Heston's home, in the remaining years of his life suffering from the effects of Alzheimer's...

How is that a 'role' for Heston? If it's a documentary, how is that an acting role? Was Heston given a script?

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Bigbrother writes:
on Apr 08 2008 09:08 AM

I actually think Khartoum is my favorite Heston movie, but gets very little play cause it was on the tail end of his career after he'd started to go conservative. Which seems to be a death sentence in Hollywood for most people. In the Moore vs. Heston debate I'll always take the WWII vet who marched with Dr. King while standing up for what he believed in to the guy who got fat, and did a hatchet job on an 80 year old man with Alzheimers for what he believed in.

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JUDGE DREDD writes:
on Apr 08 2008 10:16 AM

I loved the film where he played Michael Angelo, and had to paint the sisteen chappel. Forgot the name but i saw it a few times. In fact, it may have had 2 names.

Also, Planet of the Apes, rules!!! And so does Ten Commandments.
ashamed to admit, i havent seen soylent green, or all of Ben Hur.

Towering inferno also was good as i remember.
R.I.P

And whats with turning a movie thread on a movie board into a politics board?

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detroit666 writes:
on Apr 08 2008 12:37 PM

There's a lot of actors whose politics I can't stand. But a great actor was a great actor and Mr. Heston WAS a great actor. Thanks for the memories.

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vaodsi writes:
on Apr 08 2008 01:17 PM

bat fink.... i think it was called the Agony and the Ecstasy (the emotion... not the drug). That movie was my favorite Heston movie.... the other is BEN HUR...
Heston was known for not going with the flow politically.... he marched side by side with Martin Luther King Jr and was an outspoken advocate for civil rights. what he believed.... he believed with passion. RIP.

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Amillennialist writes:
on Apr 08 2008 02:10 PM

Michael Moore intentionally misrepresented Heston, and the allusion to Hitler is ignorant and ironic.

Self-defense is a basic human right. Once a people have been disarmed, who will defend them and their God-given rights, the State?

Violating the people's ability to defend themselves ends ultimately in slavery, for whom does an unarmed citizenry benefit but criminals and tyrants?

Thomas Jefferson said, "The strongest reason for the people to retain their right to keep and bear arms is as a last resort to protect themselves against tyranny in government."

Instead of mocking those defending Liberty, you ought to join them.

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Aragorn_499 writes:
on Apr 08 2008 03:52 PM

Charlton Heston was one of the greats of Hollywood and his body of work will endure.

I am a bit surprised, though, that his movie *Will Penny* has not been mentioned. Some consider this western to be his finest performance.

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Jack Waters writes:
on Apr 08 2008 03:58 PM

Great Wayne's World 2 clip. This was one of the greatest and most gifted actors ever. He will be missed.

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ajmk123 writes:
on Apr 08 2008 09:36 PM

Of course liberals disrespect a great man, if your name is not CLinton, Obama, or Moore you do not matter, ****ing fags.

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Hereandthere writes:
on Apr 08 2008 10:13 PM

I don't want to delve too deeply into controversy, but like it or not,
"The Right To Bear Arms" is in the Constitution. Mr. Heston just took a stand on how he felt on the issue. Whether it's abortion, gay rights, free speech, global warming, everyone's got an opinion. We don't have to agree; we DO have to agree that we have the right to disagree, without killing each other over our differences. People that used to work for Michael Moore have gone on record that for "Bowling For Colombine," Moore "cherry-picked" facts, dates, and snippets of footage and edited them together dishonestly. Do I agree with with everything Mr. Heston said? No. Do I think that he was a little too zealous about guns? Perhaps. But Al Gore goes over-the-top in scaring the crap out of people over climate change. What's the difference? As for the man's movies...ah, I have fond memories of Planet of the Apes, Omega Man, Ben Hur, Soylent Green, The Ten Commandments...pretty much anything he did made audiences rush to the theatres. How many people can say they've played Moses and Michealangelo in their lives? I know I can't.

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he who wanders writes:
on Apr 09 2008 07:00 AM

To all those who doubt the man's greatness of soul should take a minute to watch his speech in Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet(1996). http://youtube.com/watch?v=8nonx0JmrcQ&feature=related

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Amillennialist writes:
on Apr 09 2008 09:40 AM

The difference between Heston and Gore is that Heston defended a basic human right, while Gore lies for political gain.

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Hereandthere writes:
on Apr 09 2008 10:05 AM

In reply to this comment (#1677868)
I agree with you that Heston defended a basic human right, and that Gore is an opportunist. :)

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