Top 10 Favourite Historical Villains: Who are they?

After our Top 10 Favourite Historical Heroines and Heroes in series and movies, we felt that we needed also a Top 10 Villains. What’s a good movie without a terrifying villain ?! ;-) 

 

	Amon Göth/Ralph Fiennes in Schindler’s List. This must be one of the most powerful roles of Ralph Fiennes’ career. How easily he slipped under the skin of this unpredictable, deranged and psychotic SS captain, leader of the concentration camp of Plaszów. His portrayal was so unbelievably true that one of Göth’s prisoners got scared when she saw the actor, thinking it was him. No need to say that we get chilled each time we see that “hunting” scene at his window…
	Mme Merteuil/Glenn Close  in Dangerous Liaisons. No list would be complete without the machinations of Madame de Merteuil masterly interpreted by Glenn Close, resulting in her nomination for an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Who can ever forget this evil yet enticing woman? After being jilted by a former lover she sets upon revenge against him, with the help of the unscrupulous Comte of Valmont. Choderlos de Laclos would certainly be pleased with this performance.
	Antonio Salieri/F. Murray Abraham in Amadeus. Fans of Mozart will remember the movie Amadeus and the music’s rival and enemy Salieri as portrayed by F Murray Abraham. The actor displayed such a vibrant interpretation that he went on to win the Oscar for Best Actor. Based loosely in real events it shows how Salieri felt belittled and humiliated when Mozart appeared on the scene and how he tries to trick him into writing his own Requiem Mass after which he planned to kill him. Although that is not what happened Salieri ends his days believing he is responsible for Mozart’s death.
	Commodus/Joaquin Phoenix in Gladiator. He is perfect as the cruel roman emperor who murders his father to reach power and then orders the death of his rival Maximus and his family. The family dies but Maximus and Commodus will meet again in the arena where the first (who became a gladiator) challenges the second and wins the approval of the people of Rome. Phoenix dark looks seem to emphasize the darkness of his character and make him attractive and repelling at the same time.
	Gilbert Osmond/John Malkovich in Portrait of a Lady. Nobody could play the devious and deceitful Osmond better than John Malkovich. The way he torments Isabel and how easily he subdues her, with the help of Mme. Merle, fascinates us. The young American marries him without doubting his true intentions. Malkovich truly has a talent for complex and anti heroic roles. This one is another of his works where he shows what a magnificent actor he is.
	Edward I/Patrick McGoohan in Braveheart. Patrick McGoohan is not to be missed as Edward I in Braveheart, his villainous portrayal was much acclaimed and  recalled the actor to the spotlight after several years away from the public eye. He chills us to the bone with his portrayal as a ruthless and vicious leader, also known as Longshanks, he almost is the embodiment of evil.
	Catherine of Medicis/Virna Lisi in La Reine Margot. Always dressed in black severe clothes and harboring a permanent look of censure and darkness, Virna Lisi is perfect in the role of the powerful Catherine of Medicis and it’s not very surprising that she won the César (French Oscars) of the Best Supporting Actress. At first, the director wanted to cast another Italian actress (Sophia Loren or Claudia Cardinale) since he wasn’t convinced Lisi could do the job. Hopefully, he changed his mind!
	Mr. Tulkinghorn/Charles Dance in Bleak House. The villain of Bleak House certainly deserves to be among our favorite bad guys (and ladies!). Nobody can remain unmoved while following this lawyer’s schemes and threats to gain control of Lady Deadlock. His piercing eyes seem to see every lie, every secret well hidden. The man is extremely intimidating and the only person who can confront him, is his victim. Charles Dance is unforgettable and he is one of the reason why Bleak House was a success.
	Iago/Kenneth Branagh in Othello. Each time we see Branagh’s Iago we immediately think of poison. He cheats, deceives and does everything to destroy Othello’s trust for Desdemona. The way he looks into the camera explaining his plans is extremely powerful and intimate. A truly remarkable performance of an amazing Shakespearean actor who can do as well a hero and a villain with a incredible ease.
	The Sheriff of Nottingham/Alan Rickman in Robin Hood. A big favorite among all of us, no matter how many characters Rickman portrays we will never forget this Sheriff of Nottingham with his rages and his obsession  with Maid Marian. Either playing the gallant courtier (at which he is not very good) or the cruel ruler of Nottingham (at which he excels) he was larger than life and clearly left the others in the shadow. And we say the silly girl should have kicked Robin Hood away and stick with the Sheriff (she just had to make sure she drove that wild witch away too). That wedding ceremony is just too funny for words.