5 perfect movies to watch for Harrison Ford’s birthday
With a career that spans decades, Harrison Ford’s filmography includes some of the most iconic films out there. Settle in with these five on his birthday.
There is no actor quite like Harrison Ford, and that may seem trite, but it’s true. Sure, Alden Ehrenreich and River Phoenix are among the actors who have played younger versions of some of his most iconic characters. And while they come close, there’s something about his gruff, rough-and-tumble, scar-on-the-chin self that just can’t be emulated.
Today is his 76th birthday, and the man is still acting. He’s slated for The Secret Life of Pets 2, a voiceover role, and is still set for Indiana Jones 5 in 2021. But rather than continue to look forward, we’re going to look back at five of his best movies.
Sit back, relax, and don’t be surprised where we end up.
The Fugitive
Ford is Dr. Richard Kimble, a man framed for killing his wife, and he plays opposite Tommy Lee Jones’ acerbic (yet vaguely understanding) U.S. Marshal Sam Gerard. When a bus accident lets Kimble escape, he doesn’t do anything reasonable like go hide: he instead returns to Chicago in order to try and figure out who really killed his wife and why. Famously mostly shot in the city itself, Ford here is a man on a crusade for justice, not just “fortune and glory” (that’s another character whom we’ll talk about later).
You can rent it on Amazon Video.
Blade Runner
Okay, you could probably also watch Blade Runner 2049, but to have a hope of understanding it, you’ll need to go back to the ’80s original. What more can I say about it other than Ford is Rick Deckard, there are some deep questions about humanity, and it’s a sci-fi classic? We have 15 distinct reasons you should watch this movie if you’re not convinced.
HBO has Blade Runner 2049, and you can rent the first film on Amazon Video.
Witness
Ford has never won an Oscar, but the closest he’s come in his career is his role in Witness, which at least got him a nomination for Best Actor. It’s worth watching for that reason alone, but if you need to know why he has a straw hat on in the above clip, it’s because his character, John Book, goes undercover in an Amish community in order to protect a boy who’s the only witness to a murder. (Yes, that’s where the title comes from.)
The fun part is that Ford is actually a pretty skilled carpenter in real life, so that helped with this role.
Hulu has it as long as you have a subscription, but you can also rent it on Amazon or watch it free with Prime.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Okay, okay, you should probably watch Raiders of the Lost Ark too, but that one has some weirdness surrounding Indy and Marion’s relationship, whereas this one has a love interest that turns out to be evil and also has Sean Connery. Do we really need to tell you who Ford plays in this? Because if you don’t know that he’s Indiana Jones, we might question your pop culture knowledge.
Anyway, it’s included with Amazon Prime.
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Again, you should probably just watch A New Hope, Return of the Jedi, and The Force Awakens, just for maximum Han Solo, but if there’s one film that strikes the best balance between hero and scoundrel, it’s The Empire Strikes Back.
Besides, how could we not include the “I love you” / “I know” exchange in an appreciation of his acting? It’s perfect to this day.
Pick it up on Amazon.
Next: 20 pieces of Star Wars trivia you need to know
If we’re talking iconic Ford lines, “Get off my plane” from Air Force One is also worth a mention, but these five films are generally better.
Which is your favorite of his films?