Warrior Casting

[qos]

I'm taking a poll: which actors (from the 1980's to the present) do you think have been the most convincing in portraying warriors: people who fight and kill other people as a way of life, whether as good guys or bad guys. They look like they have both the physical strength and the mental orientation to engage in deadly force and survive long enough to get good at it. There's usually a ruthless streak in them.

Off the top of my head: Russell Crowe in Gladiator is a standout. I've always found it easy to believe Sean Bean, especially as Sharpe. Chow Yun-Fat has the natural grace and strength, as well as the mental focus. I was willing to believe Uma Thurman in Kill Bill and Michelle Yeoh in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Ken Watanabe in The Last Samurai.

Your thoughts?

Comments

[qos.livejournal.com]

Antonio was someone I almost put on as an honorable mention. He can definitely come across as dangerous, and he can fight. . . but he doesn't say "warrior" to me the same way as the Northmen do in 13th Warrior, especially Vladimir Kulich (Buliwyf).

I need to watch "King Arthur" again. I've only seen it once, and I had mixed feelings about the whole thing. I went back and forth about having Clive Owen on the list.

I also need to see "The Professional."

I've seen Arnold in a bunch of movies, but he's not someone I ever think about. His performances have almost never touched me in a way to make them memorable.