Alternate Best Actor 2005

And the Nominees Were Not:

Cillian Murphy in Breakfast on Pluto

Daniel Auteuil in Caché

Romain Duris in The Beat That My Heart Skipped

Damian Lewis in Keane

Byung-hun Lee in A Bittersweet Life 

And

Tony Leung Ka-Fai in Election

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1960: Results

5. Martin Stephens in Village of the Damned - Stephens gives an effectively creepy kid performance, though it feels but a warm up for his more impressive work in The Innocents a year later.

Best Scene: The kids tear down the "brick wall"

4. Robert Mitchum in Home From the Hill - Mitchum avoids falling into overblown melodrama by giving an unassuming yet commanding turn that successfully realizes the two conflicting sides of his character.

 Best Scene: The captain tries to win back his wife.

3. John Mills in Tunes of Glory - Mills gives perhaps his best performance, in his tragic portrayal of a soldier being slowly broken down by his own men.

Best Scene: The final party.

2. Peter Sellers in Never Let Go - Sellers more than proves his merit in a wholly dramatic role, through his compelling portrayal of a vicious and desperate criminal.

Best Scene: The final fight.

1. Renato Salvatori in Rocco and his Brothers - Salvatori gives a powerful performance as he realizes the descent of a simple man into a form of madness in chilling detail.

Best Scene: The Murder.

Overall Rank

Next Year: 2005 Lead

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1960: Renato Salvatori in Rocco and His Brothers

Renato Salvatori did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Simone Parondi in Rocco and His Brothers.

Rocco and His Brothers tells the story of five brothers from a rural town trying to make new lives for themselves in the city of Milan.

Renato Salvatori plays the second oldest brother, who unlike the eldest brother Vincenzo, is new to the city life as the film opens. Salvatori portrays Simone in these early scenes as a man who was perhaps most suited for the life in the country where the family began. Salvatori manages to pull off the trick of playing a simple man without giving a simple performance. In the early scenes Salvatori offers a rather endearing presence as he portrays Simone as just an easy going sort. Salvatori brings an innate likability in this as he brings this optimism about Simone as the brothers try to get started. Salvatori importantly establishes just the way of Simone as he is very much a man of the moment. This happens to work as the brothers first enter Milan as they just try to get by with small jobs, still as a family unit. Salvatori makes Simone the life of the room in the right way as he shows a real earnestness as he goofs off slightly, but always in an encouraging humorous way for his brothers. Salvatori shows the right fun energy of just a man who lives in the time right in front of him.

Salvatori makes Simone a man who would have been perfect for a simple life, but that is not the nature of life in Milan. This is made readily apparent when the family is visited by a woman Nadia (Annie Girardot), who unknown to the brothers is a prostitute. Salvatori is great in this initial meeting by realizing so well the straight fascination in Simone at the sight of her. Salvatori in this moment shows absolutely no hidden motives in this, or even a lust exactly. It is a purer fascination at this moment, as Salvatori reflects this shyness in Simone of a man with a simple crush. This relationship though is changed when Simone finds success as a boxer in Milan, which acts as a short cut to success for him. Nadia decides to rope Simone along a little bit, though she has no serious intentions for him. Salvatori finds the tragic element in this treatment because he brings only a real earnestness once again, and reveals such pure joy when it seems she is interested in him, even though she's really not. Salvatori's performance echoes the important idea that Simone, is not ready for this sort of game, as he makes Simone's emotions absolutely pure.

The film takes a slight time jump after Simone's younger brother Rocco (Alain Delon) has served time in the army. In the time Nadia has moved on from Simone, and meets Rocco where they honestly connect. We find Simone again essentially ruined by the city, and as he finds Rocco with Nadia his descent only continues. What Salvatori does that's so remarkable with this performance, is that his transition is not a black and white shift, from endearing brother to the man he becomes. This is shown in the scene where Simone discovers Rocco and Nadia, and proceeds to beat his brother and then rapes Nadia. Salvatori makes this an especially disturbing scene because he does not make this a different man from before. Instead that same simplistic outlook is once again brought to Simone even in this act, as Salvatori makes the scene still about Simone failing to understand the complexity of the situation. The problem is in this case instead of merely being duped, Salvatori shows the frustration of the man as he lashes out. In the moment after the act Simone explains what he did, and Salvatori plays it as an older brother teaching his younger brother a lesson. Salvatori keeps the same earnest quality as before, still showing a simple man, but the problem is it is now attached to horrible behavior.

Rocco in his belief of family unity does not try to avenge Nadia, but rather encourages her to go back to Simone. In an act of desperation she does go back to him, which Simone is more than willing to accept. Again Salvatori never makes Simone a villain but is absolutely chilling by realizing this natural perversion of his older self as he fails to acclimate to his new environment. Salvatori's work establishes that Simone has not really learned anything from what he does, and is completely genuine as he attempts to show his love to the woman he previously brutalized. Simone's problems build up though as he not only fails to understand his relationship with Nadia, but also fails to comprehend the underbelly of Milan he gets involved with through his boxing career. Simone ends up in debt, and is the victim himself in the hands of those who choose to manipulate him further. There's a terrific scene for Salvatori as Simone goes to a man for help, and Salvatori presents him as a man who is completely lost in the situation. Simone eventually is exiled from Milan, where he once again finds Nadia who has returned to prostitution. It's an incredible scene for Salvatori as he portrays the mess that is Simone, as he gives us a man who is failing to deal with the trauma caused by their relationship. As Simone once again violently reacts in hate it is intertwined with a vicious attempt to love at the the same time, this hypocritical act Salvatori makes wholly convincing by suggesting the hate comes from his inability to understand how to express his love in the difficult circumstances. This is a brilliant performance by Renato Salvatori as he gives a powerful portrait of a simple man broken by a complex world he could never begin to understand.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1960: Peter Sellers in Never Let Go

Peter Sellers did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Lionel Meadows in Never Let Go.

Never Let Go is crime film about a man, John (Richard Todd), who intends to prove his measure as a man by getting his stolen car back himself. The film has potentially interesting ideas along with a certain bit of style, but most aspects of the film are underwhelming in some way.

This film is one of the few strictly dramatic roles for Peter Sellers, and the only one I've ever seen anyways. Though there is a certain undercurrent of drama in both of his Stanley Kubrick collaborations, and Being There is firmly a dramedy. In those three films though there are plenty of moments where he is playing for laughs, there's not a single laugh to be had from him here, and that's not a knock against his performance. Sellers plays a career criminal Lionel Meadows who runs a garage that specializes in stealing the rebuilding cars. We briefly see Sellers in a silent moment early in the film as he's just going about this business, we do not see him again for a good twenty minutes before he reenters the film, after John has made considerable trouble for Lionel's business by refusing to let the theft of his stolen car go. Sellers shows up with a smile to talk to one his associates but he's not there to tell jokes.

Sellers's approach to the part with some adjustment the other way could easily be comedic performance, after all he gave a rather enjoyable turn as a similair type of criminal in The Ladykillers. Sellers though utilizes his approach, in creating a distinct accent and mannerisms, but uses them for an entirely alternative purpose here. Sellers plays Lionel almost as proper car salesman on the immediate outer surface. He seems to almost as brimming with a certain jovial quality, all the while keeping the proper posture of someone who is ready to sell you something special. Lionel though isn't there to give or even sell though, as he is in the taking business. His voice always attempting to be reassuring about something, the problem being that something is entirely unknown to both the person Lionel is talking to and Lionel himself. Now Sellers isn't portraying exactly quite facade, but is very intriguing in the way he more of presents this behavior as Lionel's attempt to exist as person in decent society at all.

The real Lionel is always right there too clawing to be set free, and Sellers suggests the whole act as the man trying to balance himself. The problem being is just being the razor thin surface is the criminal. Sellers though portrays Lionel as barely functioning criminal, presenting a man absolutely gripped with so much hate for everyone around him. Sellers is volcanic as he depicts the violence as something Lionel almost needs to come out, even though he has his thin attempt to hold it in check in some way. Sellers utilizes this brilliantly to create a real menace with his performance. He does not try to make Lionel as some sort of cunning mastermind. He rather bluntly instead makes him a man who just wants to continue to live as he currently does, and will lash out at anyone he thinks is getting in that way. Sellers is surprisingly intimidating in the part as he goes about attempting to plug the leaks in his organization, not as some refined hitman, but rather as a caged animal lashing out in rage. I'll admit there is something a little extra chilling about these scenes, as it is so unexpected to see Sellers not only commit the act but be convincing in the act.

One of the aspects of the film that is underwhelming is in the arc of the main character as he tries to find some personal pride through retrieving his car, but in doing so becomes involved in sordid elements. Todd tries but isn't able to overcome the limits of the writing. Sellers on the other hand, which almost seems like it wasn't written this way, gives a matching and more effective portrayal of Lionel attempting to hold onto his own pride, though that means a very different thing for him. Sellers even as he goes violently assaulting and accosting everyone who he thinks will implicate him in the crime, brings a real desperation in the act. He conveys this underlying fear of sorts in Lionel as he attempts to control the situation, though he is trying very hard to live up to be the man he thinks he should be. Sellers through this makes Lionel more than a one note hood, as he makes it rather fascinating as he reveals Lionel essentially going through the same thing as John just through a different perspective. In the final showdown between the two men you really feel what the moment means to Lionel because of Sellers's performance. In the fight Sellers shows exactly what Lionel is fighting for, in every wretched attack of his. I only wish the film itself, and Todd had managed to match Sellers's own work, since Seller's portrait of Lionel is rather special. It's such a shame that the film's tepid reception apparently made Sellers swear off taking dramatic roles, since this is a great performance that suggests we never got to truly see everything Sellers was capable of as an actor.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1960: Martin Stephens in The Village of the Damned

Martin Stephens did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying David Zellaby in The Village of the Damned.

The Village of the Damned is a fairly effective horror film about a group of strange children "miraculously" born in an English village all at the same time.

The film very much depends upon the potential creepiness of children through its monsters being a group of blond haired, light skinned, kids. Now their very image is off putting, particularly when they are all together, but a little more is needed that little more being Martin Stephens. Stephens plays the only one of the odd children who speaks. Stephens's speaks with an excessively articulation that is most off putting. Although it should be noted that they rerecorded Stephens's lines which makes his voice all the more disturbing since it seems partially detached from the image. Stephens's voice is incredibly creepy though since he does not make anything specifically monstrous about it. He instead delivers his lines as a proper English schoolboy, a too proper English schoolboy for sure, and the sophistication of his voice makes him seem truly alien.

Stephens's work goes beyond merely being the only one of the children who speaks. There is more tasked from Stephens as David also acts as the child who explains a bit of their intent, and philosophy of sorts to his "father" Gordon Zellaby (George Sanders). The philosophy being a maniacal lack of emotion, and Stephens is terrific in realizing this in his hollow expressions. He adds a bit more there within that as there is always an eerie contentment in his description as though the lack of concern is the better way to exist. The film never allows their exact intentions to be explained other than general survival. There is a sense of dread created though and Stephens contributes greatly to this. The soulless quality in David that Stephens brings so effectively suggests a terrible intent since there is such a clear lack of empathy for what surrounds them.

This is technically a one note performance for the most part, but that is exactly the point. Stephens is not playing a real boy but rather a creature in boy form. Stephens though makes the most out of that one note as he is absolutely menacing despite his rather unassuming frame. Stephens brings the demonic presence  to the part, and manages to make the eye glow scenes far more chilling than they would be otherwise. Now I wrote one note for the most part because at the very end of his performance there is a bit of emotion. It's just a brief second but Stephens's portrayal of David realizing he's made a terrible mistake is extremely satisfying due to his oh so consistent portrayal of David's contentment beforehand. This is a striking turn by Martin Stephens but I will say in the end this feels like a warmup. The warmup for his masterful turn as a "creepy kid" in the Innocents.

Altenate Best Supporting Actor 1960: Robert Mitchum in Home From The Hill

Robert Mitchum did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Capt. Wade Hunnicutt in Home From the Hill.

Home From the Hill is a decent melodrama about a young man Theron (George Hamilton) who attempts to make something of himself but in doing so discovers the dark secrets his family holds.

Robert Mitchum plays the central figure that all the other characters revolve around in this film but he is not the lead. His lack of screentime and perspective make him a supporting character, though the story could not exist without Captain Wade Hunnicutt. The reason being everyone in his home, and the town around seems affected by the man in some way, usually in the negative sense. This is made clear in the film's opening scene where the Captain is shot by a man for having an affair with his wife. The Captain scoffs off both the man and the wound as though it happens all the time. The film builds up the character, mostly through exposition of both just how great the man is at first, then soon followed by how terrible he is. They make him into as though he is some sort of living legend and it is easy to see how this character would've wholly fallen flat with the wrong actor in the role. Luckily they cast Robert Mitchum.

Robert Mitchum is perfect for the part and he absolutely knows it through his ease onscreen throughout the film. Mitchum makes the reputation of the character earned since he seems rather larger than life himself. Mitchum just exudes the confidence of Hunnicutt as he should, as he suggests a man who has always gotten what has wanted but also always has taken what he has wanted. Mitchum though is able to do something essential for the part which is to create the idolization of the man that we see in his son. Mitchum effortlessly brings an undisputed charm about the man that actually comes in part in that confidence as he shows a man who is truly comfortable with himself. He even makes the opening scene work where he scoffs getting shot, as Mitchum successfully makes sense out of the moment by portraying him as a man completely comfortable with who he is to the point that he also wholly accepts the violent consequences of his actions.

A pivotal relationship in the film is the Captain's relationship with his wife (Eleanor Parker) who is bitter over his lecherous ways, and basically wants to keep her son away from the man's influence. Mitchum is excellent in the way he maneuvers scenes between the two of them. In the confrontational scenes Mitchum technically presents a very sleazy man as the Captain wears his transgressions with pride, however again the sheer power of his presence overrides this in a most curious way that only few actors could possibly get away with. Mitchum though also utilizes this approach to actually earn the other side of the relationship that we see a few times where the Captain attempts to win back his wife. The warmth that Mitchum brings suggests a genuine love for his wife and is convincing that he could ease any of her bitterness. What's so interesting about this is that Mitchum does not define these moments as lying, but still the Captain being a man who, for better or worse, is himself no matter what.

Eventually the Captain's son learns that one of their workers, Rafe (George Peppard), is in fact the Captain's bastard son, which leads to central conflict of the film, as the son's image of his father is shattered. The film is directed by Vincent Minnelli who in a few of his other efforts in similair stories does not exactly avoid over the top melodrama. Now it is easy to see where that could have come most strongly with the character of Captain Hunnicutt, but is avoided through Mitchum's work. As this point comes as his son demands answers, and the Captain still stands by his choices no matter what, Mitchum holds his ground. He stays in a measured work that's true to the way he set up the character. There is a moment where the Captain explains the refusal, as basically he gets to do what he wants, Mitchum is great in the moment because his portrayal makes it so the Captain simply stays with his personal resolve. This is a very strong performance from Robert Mitchum as his low key approach not only earns the two perspectives of the character but also successfully merges them as one man.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1960: John Mills in Tunes of Glory

John Mills did not receive an Oscar nomination, despite receiving a BAFTA nomination and winning the Volpi Cup, for portraying Lieutenant Colonel Basil Barrow in Tunes of Glory.

John Mills's place in this film has a bit in common with his character in the film. In that as Colonel Basil Barrow, who is taking over command from Major Jock Sinclair (Alec Guinness), he should be the lead of the film and the man in charge. Unfortunately old Jock and Guinness insist on being the center of attention, and poor Colonel Barrow can't even quite make it as a co-lead since all his actions in the end relate to the way they effect Sinclair. That's in no way to dismiss Mills's performance though, as he has quite the challenge and thankless job to fulfill, much like the Barrow as he tries to clean up the rowdy unit he has taken on. I will admit that Mills is an actor, though more than reliable, often is overshadowed by his co-stars. That is technically the point of Barrow in the film as he's suppose to be overshadowed by Jock, but in a weird way Mills isn't actually overshadowed here. In fact he very much plays his part quite cleverly in the restricted margins.

In the early scenes of the film Mills effectively puts up the front of the proper leader who wants to get his regiment into shape, in a normal fashion. Mills does well to actually play into the thinness of this prospect as he does not portray a direct passion, rather he emphasizes just a man who wants things in order as they should be in a professional fashion. This earns the man little respect from most of the men, particularly not Jock who worked his way up to command after starting out as a boy in the regiment. Mills again is good in portraying the internalized exasperation of the man as he conveys the active effort of Barrow to stay on good terms with everyone, while attempting to lay down the law as a proper commander. The problems only continue as Jock's behavior only gets more out of control and the insubordination continues. Mills's performance works wonders as he reveals technically the man's fault as he does not press issues, but also a real earnestness as he shows only a man with the utmost respect for the regiment itself.

In the scene where Barrow reveals his own connection to the regiment, having been part of it the same year Jock was in prison for his usual drunken behavior, Mills reveals such a genuine passion in the man's words as he attempts to explain how important the regiment truly is. Mills is painful to watch, in a good way, in the moment because he has Barrow only reveal the truth as though he is talking to a trusted friend, yet Jock only continues to mock him when he learns Barrow was a POW in the war. Now this aspect of Barrow's past is especially well handled by Mills's performance. Mills never emphasizes in order to wholly reveal what his terrible prison time has done. Instead Mills wears it within Barrow as a man which again is a brilliant approach. Mills in doing so quietly reveals the trauma in his more intimate moments yet the wear the rest of the time seems to paint the man as though he does not quite have the needed confidence for a proper leader. Mills allows us to see the man while at the same time he presents the "coward" to Jock.

Jock forces a direct power struggle by hitting an enlisted man, an action that should lead to court martial but it is up to Barrow to initiate the charges. Again what's great about Mills's work is that he gives us everything while having Barrow only exude an indecisiveness towards the rest of the men. Mills gives us a man conflicted by his belief in the regiment and desire to hold true to the old guard, but again it only appears as weakness at a glance. Eventually Barrow decides to try to make truce with Jock, and again Mills is incredibly moving by bringing such honesty in the warmth he brings as man who only wants best for regiment. Jock claims to agree to support him but such support never materializes. This unfortunately also leads to any potential support to dry up since he did not court martial Jock when he should have. Mills is heartbreaking in the scene as he watches this betrayal, as the men mock his authority right in front of him. Mills wears the terrible anger and despair so effectively, that he makes Barrow's final actions merely seem an inevitability. It is the best performance I have seen by John Mills, as he matches Guinness's work not trying to go against him, but rather by working around him to craft a tragic portrait of soldier broken by his own men.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1960

And the Nominees Were Not:

Peter Sellers in Never Let Go

Robert Mitchum in Home From the Hill

John Mills in Tunes of Glory

Martin Stephens in Village of the Damned

Renato Salvatori in Rocco and His Brothers

Alternate Best Actor 1960: Results

5. Pierre Brasseur in Eyes Without a Face - Brasseur gives an unorthodox and effective portrayal of a mad scientist, by emphasizing a subdued professionalism that is rather chilling.

Best Scene: The Doctor encourages his daughter to enjoy her new face.

4. Karlheinz Böhm in Peeping Tom- Böhm's work is unsettling as he allows the viewer to understand his killer's mind.

Best Scene: The studio murder.

3. Alain Delon in Purple Noon- Delon gives a very strong performance as he manages to capture the peculiar nature of Tom Ripley.

Best Scene: Tom tells Phillipe his plan.

2. Alec Guinness in Tunes of Glory- Guinness gives a compelling performance capturing a peculiar sort of bully who struggles to understand his own wrongdoing.

Best Scene: The final speech.

1. Richard Attenborough in The Angry Silence- Attenborough gives a moving and very effective portrayal of a modest man being slowly pushed to the edge.

Best Scene: "Shut up"

Updated Overall

Next Year: 1960 Supporting

Alternate Best Actor 1960: Karlheinz Böhm in Peeping Tom

Karlheinz Böhm did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Mark Lewis in Peeping Tom.

Peeping Tom is rather effective film that follows a serial killer who kills and captures his victims' final expressions with his special camera.

Peeping Tom was an extremely controversial film upon its initial release to the point that it severely damaged director Michael Powell's reputation, and the film itself was almost lost to obscurity due to this reaction. It is interesting to compare the reaction of this film to that of Psycho which came out the very same year. Although the film developed from similair pedigree in terms of filmmakers, and both did incur some controversy, Psycho though still found mainstream success while Peeping Tom did not. Both films are about psychotic killers, we see the murder scenes with detail, but there is one major difference with Peeping Tom. In Psycho we are not made aware of who the killer is until the end in addition there are pseudo alternative protagonists to follow. In Peeping Tom the killer is the protagonist and we know this from the opening scene where we watch him slowly murder a prostitute. Powell ensures we are part of the murder so to speak as we view the murder directly through the killer's camera.

Karlheinz Böhm plays the psychotic killer Mark who curiously we are not meant to fear exactly, at least not in the normal way. Böhm's performance has the qualities you might expect from such a character. He is chilling in the murder scenes where he portrays the method in which Mark goes about his murder. Böhm's approach though is rather disturbing by showing a specific fascination in Mark in these moments. He's detached yet he's also not. Böhm portrays that Mark is captivated in the moment, yet he still goes about the murder itself without any hesitation. Böhm is chilling by realizing this curious mindset in Mark, which is that he is almost too deeply entranced in the act of observation which leads him to commit these murders in such a peculiar way. The nature of the murder scenes though are not from a thriller, and Böhm's performance is not that of a villain in a thriller. There are policemen after him, who we occasionally see, yet the intention of the film is to examine the voyeur as a man rather than examine how he is caught.

This intent in the film likely encouraged the controversy since the film does not desire that you hate Mark. Powell's direction along with Böhm's performance, even though we know from his first scene that he is a coldblooded killer, does challenge the viewer to sympathize with Mark throughout the film. Now this is not in the sense of seeing how he gets away with acts of violence, but rather sympathize with his mindset. Böhm plays Mark as a shy introvert and conveys almost this degree of naivety to the man. There is an earnestness that Böhm brings to his behavior, even though he is hiding a much darker side, somehow elicits this certain element of likability to Mark. In the scenes where Mark interacts with his neighbor Helen (Anna Massey) Böhm brings a charm almost in his awkwardness, as Mark struggles to make a good impression. Böhm does not play this as a serial killer who is trying to hide himself, but rather actually as a normal man attempting to honestly communicate best he can.

It is revealed that Mark's world view was indirectly encouraged by his own father who used him as for his own scientific studies, which he always documented with a camera. Böhm utilizes the backstory in his performance as he manages to give understanding to Mark's motivation as twisted as it may be. The damaged nature of Mark is made to be a constant in Böhm's work. In the moments where he speaks of his past Böhm reveals this off-putting attachment to it. Böhm speaks as though Mark is unable to escape what exactly the treatment had done to him, and leaves him in the painful state he is in. Böhm once again never brings a viciousness to Mark as the killer, he rather portrays his murders as a side effect of his affliction. Böhm shows there to be an irresistible urge in Mark as he goes about his behavior, never revealing a real pleasure in it. In fact when the urge begins to reveal itself around Helen, Böhm effectively reveals a real distress in Mark as he attempts to fight against that urge. Now the portrayal of the urge in itself is the most unnerving element in the film, because Böhm creates this fascination in Mark in the act of observing itself, not unlike someone watching a captivating film of any sort. Böhm's work captures the idea of that emphasizing with what he is watching though twisted into the depraved act of killing. It's a striking performance as Böhm allows one to understand Mark's demented mind and through that, along with Michael Powell's imagery forces the viewer to become invested in a most questionable man.

Alternate Best Actor 1960: Richard Attenborough in The Angry Silence

Richard Attenborough did not receive an Oscar nomination, despite receiving a BAFTA nomination, for portraying Tom Curtis in The Angry Silence.

The Angry Silence is a rather effective film about a man who refuses to join in his Union in an unofficial strike.

Richard Attenborough will always be one of the most underrated and best actors who has ever lived. I've had the privilege to cover several of Attenborough's underrated turns, there's no such thing as an overrated or even properly praised turn by him.The Angry Silence though seems even under seen as Attenborough fair goes, although that falls right in line with the work of the underrated Guy Green as a director. Attenborough here plays a very modest role. Tom Curtis is just a factory worker with a family. He has a wife Anna (Pier Angeli) and two kids, there's nothing out of the ordinary about the man. Attenborough gives a matching performance in the early scenes of the film. He's got that usual low key Attenborough charm, but just in a very natural fashion. It is interesting the way Attenborough actually doesn't try to make Tom stand out in these scenes. Oh he's still engaging, Attenborough just naturally has this certain magnetism about him, but Attenborough really let's Tom just be a normal guy, no more no less.

There is such honesty in Attenborough's depiction of essentially the nature of Tom. In the scenes with his wife Attenborough is excellent in exuding a genuine love though with understandable minor difficulties that still are apparent. I particularly love the way Attenborough brings so much real affection in whenever Tom apologizes for yelling, which he also depicts as only short minor outbursts natural to basically anyone. Tom is probably even more modest at work. Attenborough only presents him as a man who just wants to be able to go about his business. He shows a man who just really wants to work, though he always portrays a proper camaraderie with the other workers as they go about their duties. A curious problem arises though when the talk of a strike begins, mainly through the efforts of a purposeful rabble rouser, despite the fact that that Union itself is not properly officiating it. When the vote is called, Tom votes against it, but Attenborough's earnest face only reveals a man voting with only his conscience, though with perhaps a bit of nervousness due to being part of the minority group.

The group Tom is part of, because of the unofficial nature of the strike, decide to continue to work much to the outrage of the rest of the workers. This leads to reprisals by the rest of the workers as they harass the other men. This leads the anti-strikers group to just join the strike. Tom though is visited by one of the heads of the strike Bert (Bernard Lee). Attenborough is great in this scene because he very much keeps Tom his modest self as he speaks about why he continued to work. The passion Attenborough brings behind this is clear but muted fitting the man who we have known up until this point. Tom even seems to be even willing to agree to stop their counter strike of sorts, just to get it all over with. The problem is Bert decides to push the issue and attempts to illicit some sort of apology from Tom. Attenborough brings such power in his reaction as he reveals a man who doesn't really wish to act out but has no other choice. The real passion in Tom is shown by Attenborough as he states with such conviction his distaste in the strikers' actions because they threatened his family.

Tom decides to continue to strike, even though they other dissenters have stopped, so when they return to work the remaining workers choose to ostracize Tom by giving him the silent treatment. Attenborough is incredibly moving in portraying such quiet sadness in Tom as he's so poorly treated by his former friends. Again Attenborough makes it all the more palatable because he stays true to Tom's nature at every turn. Attenborough though wears the pain so well as a man who still always tries to hide it best he can. There's a terrific moment where Tom is interviewed by a reporter, who doesn't wish to help Tom at all, about his treatment. Attenborough conveys the way Tom is holding back as he does not want to say to much, but cannot help but still stay the true in his own unassuming way. This only becomes worse for Tom though as the management really doesn't care for him, and the workers only continue to make his life worse. This goes so far as they begin to do whatever it takes to get him to leave, which eventually leads to his son being attacked at school.

Attenborough is incredible in the way he builds the volcanic pressure in Tom. It is gradual yet especially striking through the way Attenborough earns this from the modest man that it is Tom. He never rushes this yet lets it build to the moment in which Tom breaks and he finally unleashes his outrage against the crowd. Attenborough is tremendous as you feel that everything Tom has pent up is coming out in this moment. Attenborough also makes the scene rather heartbreaking though because he shows how this treatment has brought Tom to a point that is essentially against his nature as a person. Tom ends up going against the second unofficial strike and Attenborough unquestionably makes this believable. He's outstanding because he realizes such a strong conviction that is always that of the man Tom has always been, and is actually the cruelty he has suffered that has caused him to reach this point. It's a brilliantly realized arc by Attenborough since he so naturally portrays this quiet man being pushed to the edge.

Alternate Best Actor 1960: Alec Guinness in Tunes of Glory

Alec Guinness did not receive an Oscar nomination, despite receiving a BAFTA nomination, for portraying Major Jock Sinclair in Tunes of Glory.

Tunes of Glory is an interesting film about the power struggle in an army regiment during peacetime between the former commanding officer and his newly arrived superior.

Alec Guinness was obviously no stranger to playing the military type, having won his Oscar from such a role in The Bridge on the River Kwai. This role in no way repeats that former turn though as Jock Sinclair could not be more different from Colonel Nicholson from that earlier film. This is made abundantly clear from the first scene of the film as Jock and the regiment are partying to sendoff Jock from no longer being the CO. Guinness fashions a Scottish brogue and changes his physical manner in a particularly interesting way to create the Major's personal style. Guinness once again brings a proper quality fitting to a career soldier, in that Jock does have an often stiff posture. There is however a variation in that whenever duty does not call, such as in the opening scene, this is almost lost entirely. He becomes a man who does not mind in the least to indulge in the pleasures of life, bringing a very course quality who fits right in with the rest of the regiment as they drink, smoke, and dance the night away.

Jock finds himself in a strange place as the new commanding officer comes in, Lieutenant Colonel Basil Barrow (John Mills), though Jock is still in the regiment. Jock though had lead the unit during war and it is only in peace that he is replaced. The nature of the replacement offers an interesting challenge for Guinness's performance since simply showing a petulant jealousy wouldn't quite fit the man. Guinness always reinforces that, despite whatever else he might be, he is a soldier who believes in the life of a soldier, however that does not make him a good man or even a great soldier. Guinness performance is very astute in the way he creates a different disregard for his new commander, which isn't so simple. In fact Guinness depicts a genuine humility of sorts in Jock as he apologizes for the rowdiness of the crowd, which Guinness again effectively attaches to the fact that Jock does want to be a good soldier even in this difficult situation.

As the story proceeds Jock begins to undermine Colonel Barrow's authority, and Guinness is terrific in the way he portrays this specific behavior which is not shown in quite the way one would usually expect. He does not show it to be an active disregard for the man, but rather just his instinctual response to the man. There is some sense allowed to Jock for this behavior as he began as just a boy in the regiment and worked his way up to commander through a war before Barrow came. Guinness bring an important honesty in revealing this story as the passion he brings to Jock is pure in this description. The devotion in his eyes, and fierceness of his words place a real sorrow in being displaced, though again he does not break rank exactly. He stays as a soldier and only voices his complaints in a solemn fashion. The problem with Jock ends up being that he's just not a very good man, which basically compels his problematic behavior as a soldier as well.

Jock by nature is a bit of bully and Guinness presents this behavior in a fascinating fashion. It never is depicted by Guinness as an exact malice of the man, rather a innate flaw that relates heavily with a terrible temper. Guinness is excellent in the scenes where Jock interacts with his fully grown daughter (Susannah York) where he is constantly critical of her behavior, and hates instantly any man she has any affection for. Guinness's performance makes this a gut reaction at all times, as Jock can't help himself when his authority is questioned even with his family. This only continues with his interactions with Barrow, which eventually overlap with his daughter when Jock suddenly attacks a soldier who was seeing his daughter. There is only a vicious anger of a brute that Guinness brings to the action, and a lack of any self-control as the way he tries to ignore the issue only proceeds to undermine Barrow as a CO. Guinness is great because he makes the cruelty of the man so subtle, since it is never exactly intentional yet nevertheless is always harmful.

Jock's behavior eventually leads to something horrible that cannot be righted. This brings Guinness's strongest scene of the film as the Major attempts to make up for the wrongs he has committed by suddenly attempting to be the best soldier possible. Guinness is outstanding in this scene as he is so tense in the beginning trying to reveal his perfect plan, and Guinness makes it a especially powerful scene as every second this resolve begins to crumble under the pressure. Guinness is surprisingly moving as he has Jock slowly fall apart as the guilt of his actions overwhelm him. Guinness makes the scene all the more of an impact as he had crafted such a commanding presence and it is properly disconcerting to see the man lose it all in his breakdown. Guinness earns the moment without question and delivers it flawlessly. It's a striking and rather intriguing portrait of a soldier by Guinness. This time being a portrait not of the destruction due to devotion to a soldier's code, but rather the destruction by not truly understanding how to adhere to one.