Best Actor 1962: Results

5. Burt Lancaster in Birdman of Alcatraz- Burt Lancaster does his best despite Robert Stroud being an incredibly oddly written character. Lancaster does succeed as much as he can with his material, and does show his charisma and star quality almost throughout the film.

4. Marcello Mastroianni in Divorce Italian Style- Mastroianni is downright hilarious, and creates a brilliant performance of deadpan brilliance. His performance is simple at times by always appropriately so, and always to maximize the hilarity of his performance.

3. Gregory Peck in To Kill A Mockingbird- Gregory Peck gives an especially effective and just about perfect performance as Atticus Finch. He is especially brilliant in his creation of Atticus which is absolutely magnificent. He also adds the right heart in his scenes with the children, and the right power and passion especially in his final speech at the trial.

2. Jack Lemmon in Days of Wine and Roses- Lemmon gives a brilliant and searing performance. Lemmon excels in all of his scenes, first carefully suggesting his alcoholism early on, but later having truly chilling moments involving his most troubled moments of alcoholism. A truly brilliant performance that is sometimes hard to watch simply because he is so good.

1. Peter O'Toole in Lawrence of Arabia- Peter O'Toole gives a performance of true greatness as Lawrence. He not only holds interest throughout his long running film, but he also shows an incredible unique portrait of a fascinating man. His transition of all forms are brilliantly shown, and he gives a performance of utter brilliance. O'Toole is absolutely perfect in every moment of his incredible performance, that I think is one of the greatest, and certainly O'Toole's best.

Deserving Performances:
James Mason in Lolita