The 60+ Best Robert Ryan Movies
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1William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Robert RyanThe Wild Bunch, a seminal Western film directed by Sam Peckinpah, is a tale of an aging outlaw gang on the Mexico-US border. The gang's leader, Pike Bishop (William Holden), along with his second-in-command, Dutch Engstrom (Ernest Borgnine), navigates their crew through changing times and relentless law enforcement. As they attempt one last score, their loyalty and survival instincts are put to the ultimate test. This gritty and violent depiction of the Old West earned two Oscar nominations for its original screenplay and musical score in 1970.More The Wild Bunch
- #38 of 288 onThe 250+ Best Western Movies Of All Time
- #93 of 191 onThe Best Movies For Men
- #35 of 167 onThe Greatest '60s Movies, Ranked
2James Stewart, Janet Leigh, Robert RyanHoward Kemp (James Stewart) has been tracking killer Ben Vandergroat (Robert Ryan) for a long time. In the Colorado Rockies, he teams up with prospector Jesse Tate (Millard Mitchell) and former Union soldier Roy Anderson (Ralph Meeker). Thinking Kemp is a sheriff, they agree to help for a small fee. When they catch Vandergroat, he tells them Kemp is pursuing a $5,000 bounty. After demanding equal shares, the uneasy alliance heads for Kansas as Vandergroat tries to turn them against each other.More The Naked Spur- #144 of 288 onThe 250+ Best Western Movies Of All Time
- #14 of 63 onThe Best Western Movies of the 1950s
- #12 of 85 onThe Best James Stewart Movies
3Van Heflin, Robert Ryan, Janet LeighA former prisoner of war, Frank Enley (Van Heflin) is hailed as a hero in his California town. However, Frank actually aided his Nazi captors, and he closely guards this secret. Frank's shameful past comes back to visit him when fellow survivor Joe Parkson (Robert Ryan) emerges, intent on making the turncoat pay for his betrayal. As Joe closes in on Frank, the traitor goes into hiding, abandoning his wife, Edith (Janet Leigh), who has no clue about her husband's wartime transgressions.
4Ida Lupino, Robert Ryan, Ward BondJim Wilson (Robert Ryan) is New York police detective on the edge. Hardened and embittered by his years of dealing with the lowest forms of criminal the city has to offer, Wilson becomes increasingly violent with suspects. For his own good, Wilson's police captain (Ed Begley) assigns him to a murder investigation in the countryside for a change of scenery. While searching for the killer, Wilson meets the suspect's sister, Mary Malden (Ida Lupino), a blind woman who might turn his life around.
5Robert Young, Robert Mitchum, Robert RyanStark, claustrophobic thriller about an anti-Semitic soldier who kills a Jewish war veteran, evading detection because of his loyal friends' protection. However, a detective is determined that the crime will not go unsolved and sets about laying a trap for the murderer.
6Spencer Tracy, Robert Ryan, Anne FrancisWhen John J. Macreedy (Spencer Tracy), a one-armed war veteran, arrives in the small desert town of Black Rock, he's not greeted warmly. Searching for a man named Komoko, Macreedy is met with disdain by virtually every local, including the resident thug, Hector David (Lee Marvin), and the imposing Reno Smith (Robert Ryan). As Macreedy's investigation deepens, hostility turns to violence -- and to imminent danger for the mysterious and inquisitive stranger.More Bad Day at Black Rock- #116 of 288 onThe 250+ Best Western Movies Of All Time
- #21 of 63 onThe Best Western Movies of the 1950s
- #15 of 47 onThe Best 1950s Thriller Movies, Ranked
7Lee Marvin, Fredric March, Robert RyanBased on the play by Eugene O'Neill, this drama begins as the sad-sack patrons of a New York City bar await the arrival of salesman and drinking buddy Theodore Hickman (Lee Marvin). Known to the regulars of the watering hole as Hickey, he passionately encourages his fellow alcoholics to give up their pipe dreams and embrace their harsh realities. As Hickey makes his case for letting go of all delusions, to the resentment of his friends, secrets from his own past are revealed.
8Barbara Stanwyck, Paul Douglas, Robert RyanAfter being away for 10 years, Mae Doyle (Barbara Stanwyck) returns to her California hometown following an affair with a married politician, which came to an end when he died and his relatives sued for her inheritance. Mae begins dating Jerry (Paul Douglas), an amiable fisherman, while his bitter best friend, Earl (Robert Ryan), a cynic married to a burlesque dancer, finds himself attracted to her. Mae and Jerry marry, but soon she gets bored and starts an affair with just-divorced Earl.
9Harry Belafonte, Robert Ryan, Shelley WintersDisgraced former police officer David Burke (Ed Begley) is looking for a way to make some quick money. When he decides to rob a bank, he calls on mean ex-con Earl Slater (Robert Ryan) and black entertainer Johnny Ingram (Harry Belafonte) to help him pull off the heist. Johnny is reluctant to agree but is forced to reconsider because of his significant gambling debts, while racist Earl balks because of Johnny's involvement. Ultimately, though, they must work together to get the job done.- 10Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charles BronsonIn the heart of World War II, Major Reisman (Lee Marvin) is tasked with an impossible mission in The Dirty Dozen. His orders: to mould twelve hardened criminals into a cohesive fighting unit. The eclectic crew, notable for characters like arrogant Robert Jefferson (Jim Brown) and psychopathic Archer Maggott (Telly Savalas), must infiltrate an enemy chateau to assassinate high-ranking Nazi officials. A gripping blend of war film and suspense thriller, this 1967 classic earned four Academy Award nominations. As the tension mounts, it's clear - success isn't guaranteed, and survival hangs by a thread.More The Dirty Dozen
- #22 of 262 onThe 200+ Best War Movies Of All Time
- #447 of 769 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
- #33 of 308 onThe 295+ Best Movies For Guys
11Montgomery Clift, Robert Ryan, Myrna LoyBurdened by a family secret, Adam White (Montgomery Clift) lands a job as a newspaper advice columnist. Little does he realize that it's all part of a nasty desire by cynical editor William Shrike (Robert Ryan) to crush the souls of his underlings. Adam feels his readers' pain, and eventually he takes an assignment to meet with Faye Doyle (Maureen Stapleton), who is exasperated by her crippled husband. When Faye tries to seduce Adam, he must choose between his job and his girl (Dolores Hart).
12Robert Ryan, Audrey Totter, George TobiasA boxer on the wane, Bill "Stoker" Thompson (Robert Ryan) is determined to stay in the game, in spite of his wife, Julie (Audrey Totter), who wants him to leave the dangerous sport. Unbeknownst to Stoker, his manager, Tiny (George Tobias), has lost confidence in him and sets the fighter up to lose an upcoming match at the request of a local gangster. Certain that Stoker will meet with defeat, Tiny neglects to tell him about the shady deal, resulting in conflict both in and out of the ring.
13James Mason, Barbara Bel Geddes, Robert RyanWide-eyed and poor young Leonora (Barbara Bel Geddes) weds an obsessive millionaire named Ohlrig (Robert Ryan), but the marriage is loveless. Even worse, Ohlrig seems to have manic, violent tendencies. Eventually, young Leonora escapes her unhappy life and begins working with New York City doctor Larry Quinada (James Mason), who she soon falls for. Unfortunately, Ohlrig refuses to grant his wife a divorce, and things get even darker for Leonora when she realizes she's pregnant with his child.
14Lee Marvin, Burt Lancaster, Claudia CardinaleFour soldiers of fortune are hired by a wealthy rancher to rescue his beautiful young wife who has been kidnapped by a villainous Mexican bandit. When they finally find her, after fighting their way across deserts and mountains, they discover she is not being held against her will. This causes friction within the band as to whether they should honor their agreement.More The Professionals- #71 of 288 onThe 250+ Best Western Movies Of All Time
- #96 of 167 onThe Greatest '60s Movies, Ranked
- #22 of 46 onThe Best 1960s Western Movies, Ranked
15Henry Fonda, Robert Shaw, Robert RyanAmerican Lt. Col. Dan Kiley (Henry Fonda), a military intelligence whiz, discovers that the Nazis are planning to attack Allied forces near Belgium. Certain that the exhausted enemy can't muster much force, Gen. Joe Grey (Robert Ryan) isn't convinced by Kiley's findings, and his men pay the price when the German tanks begin their offensive. In the heat of this key World War II battle, Kiley must come up with a plan when it becomes clear that the Nazis are trying to steal fuel from the Allies.More Battle of the Bulge- #42 of 262 onThe 200+ Best War Movies Of All Time
- #44 of 167 onThe Greatest '60s Movies, Ranked
- #13 of 20 onThe 20 Best Movies About Battleships
16Clark Gable, Jane Russell, Robert RyanBen (Clark Gable) and Clint (Cameron Mitchell) Allison have been hired to lead a herd of cattle from Texas to Montana. Before long, they see a tribe of Native Americans raiding a small pioneer village. The brothers save the spirited Nella Turner (Jane Russell) and romantic sparks immediately fly between Nella and Ben. However, Nella's desire for wealth puts a damper on their burgeoning relationship. Meanwhile, the cattle drivers must make one last trip through unwelcoming native territories.
17Robert Mitchum, Robert Ryan, Lizabeth ScottAs one of the only honest cops left in the city, Capt. Thomas McQuigg (Robert Mitchum) has his back against the wall when a large crime syndicate makes its way to his doorstep. After bringing aboard local mobster Nick Scanlon (Robert Ryan), the illegal organization intends to help place corrupt attorney Mortimer X. Welsh (Ray Collins) in a prominent government position. But, if McQuigg can stay alive long enough, he just might be able to bring down the crooks with a key witness (Lizabeth Scott).
18Burt Lancaster, Robert Ryan, Lee J. CobbDuring a drunken spree in the small Wild West town of Bannock, one of a half-dozen workers from a nearby ranch accidentally shoots an innocent man. Bannock's marshal, a righteous man named Jered Maddox (Burt Lancaster), comes to the larger town of Sabbath bearing the dead body of one of the revelers and demands the surrender of the remaining five from sheriff Cotton Ryan (Robert Ryan) and ranch owner Vincent Bronson (Lee J. Cobb), starting a confrontation that threatens to engulf them all.More Lawman- #134 of 288 onThe 250+ Best Western Movies Of All Time
- #14 of 44 onThe Best 1970s Westerns, Ranked
- #13 of 94 onThe Best Western Movies on Amazon Prime
19Anthony Quinn, Robert RyanCity Beneath the Sea is a 1953 adventure film directed by Budd Boetticher and starring Robert Ryan and Anthony Quinn. The film is based on the book Port Royal: The Ghost City Beneath the Sea by Harry E. Rieseberg.
20Robert Ryan, Ida Lupino, Taylor HolmesBeware, My Lovely is a 1952 American suspense film starring Ida Lupino, Robert Ryan and Taylor Holmes. Directed by Harry Horner, the film is based on the 1950 play The Man by Mel Dinelli who also wrote the screenplay.
21Jeffrey Hunter, Siobhan McKenna, Robert RyanIn this reenactment of the life of Jesus Christ, when word spreads throughout Judea that the son of God is to be born in Bethlehem, King Herod demands that all infants be killed. Mary (Siobhan McKenna) steals away with her young son, Jesus, who grows up preaching, performing miracles and acquiring devotees. One of Jesus' (Jeffrey Hunter) followers, Judas (Rip Torn), betrays him, and he is sentenced to crucifixion. But Jesus has always known of his fate and has prepared himself for death.More King of Kings- #237 of 308 onThe 300+ Best Epic Movies Of All Time
- #10 of 13 onPretty Good Movies About Ancient Rome
- #6 of 39 onThe 35+ Best Biblical Movies Of All Time
22Robert Ryan, Tina Louise, Aldo RayTy Ty Walden (Robert Ryan) is a Georgia farmer obsessed with finding a fortune in gold that is rumored to be buried on his farm. The quest for riches is completely disrupting the lives of his family, including his three sons: jealous Buck (Jack Lord), who believes his wife, Griselda, still loves Will (Aldo Ray), who is married to Ty Ty's daughter, Rosamund (Helen Westcott) ; Shaw (Vic Morrow), who is single; and wealthy and estranged son Jim (Lance Fuller), who has moved away.
23Robert Ryan, Burl Ives, Tina LouiseIn the quiet frontier town of Bitters, Wyo., a dispute between cattleman Blaise Starrett (Robert Ryan) and farmer Hal Crane (Alan Marshal) is about to boil over into a bloody feud. But the fighting takes a back seat to a new threat when a rogue cavalry captain, Jack Bruhn (Burl Ives), rides into town with his band of thugs. Now, with the citizens of Bitters held hostage by Bruhn and his men, Starrett must somehow rescue his town and restore his broken reputation.
24Merle Oberon, Robert Ryan, Charles KorvinDuring World War II, passengers of various nationalities travel by train from France to Berlin. One of them, Dr. Bernhardt (Paul Lukas), is an influential peacemaker who wants to mend the war-torn continent. When Nazi conspirators determined to keep Bernhardt quiet set off an explosion on the train, it kills a man who turns out to be Bernhardt's decoy. Other passengers (Merle Oberon, Robert Ryan, Robert Coote) seek the doctor for an explanation, but deception is all around.
25Robert Ryan, Anita Ekberg, Rod SteigerOn a plane bound for South America, the son of a mobster travels under the protection of henchmen who learn in-flight that their boss is dead. Also on the flight are weary war pilot Bill Lonagan (Robert Ryan), prostitute Rena (Anita Ekberg), Jud Ellis (Gene Barry) and his fiancée, Louise (Phyllis Kirk), and a convicted murderer (Rod Steiger) who's bound for his execution. After a storm forces the plane down in a jungle, the passengers turn against one another in their struggle to survive.
26Robert Ryan, Terence Stamp, Melvyn DouglasIn this film based on the Herman Melville novel, handsome, young Billy Budd (Terence Stamp) joins the British navy during wartime, where his skill quickly makes him a trusted crew member. However, sinister master-at-arms Claggart (Robert Ryan), secretly jealous of Billy, accuses him of treason. Billy strikes Claggart in anger, causing him to fall and die. Capt. Vere (Peter Ustinov) feels pity for Billy but believes that maritime law requires that Billy be executed for killing an officer.
27Robert Ryan, Virginia Mayo, Jeffrey HunterThere's trouble brewing for Marshal Cass Silver (Robert Ryan), a Kansas lawman struggling to maintain peace in his small cattle town. As the community awaits a sweep of trail herds coming from Texas, Honest John Barrett (Robert Middleton), the shady owner of the town saloon, plots to have Silver killed. Things get even worse when Thad Anderson (Jeffrey Hunter), the son of a hired gun killed by Silver years earlier in self-defense, arrives in town.
28Robert Ryan, Julie Adams, Rock HudsonAfter fighting in the Civil War, the Hammond brothers of Texas return to Austin and begin to drift apart. While Neal (Rock Hudson) commandeers the family ranch, courts local beauty Sally (Judith Braun) and becomes a marshal, Dan (Robert Ryan) turns to a life of crime and lusts after the wife (Julia Adams) of a prominent magnate (Raymond Burr). Their lives reconverge when Neal must choose between Dan and a group of ranchers terrorized by his brother's gang of cattle rustlers.
29Claudette Colbert, Robert Ryan, Jane CowlThe wedding of Ellen (Claudette Colbert) and David (Robert Ryan) is halted by a stranger who insists that the bride is already married to someone else. Though the flabbergasted Ellen denies the charge, the interloper produces enough evidence that his accusation must be investigated. Ellen and David travel to the small coastal town where her first wedding allegedly occurred. There, they meet a number of individuals whose stories make Ellen question her own sanity.
30Robert Ryan, Aldo Ray, Robert KeithAt the start of the Korean War, Lt. Benson (Robert Ryan) and his platoon are ordered to rendezvous with American forces at Hill 465. Benson and his troops encounter a truck containing Sgt. Montana (Aldo Ray) and his passenger, a colonel (Robert Keith) experiencing psychological combat trauma. Benson, who believes the safe passage of his men takes precedence over the colonel's medical needs, seizes the truck to transport his platoon's equipment -- a decision that Montana fiercely opposes.
