The 50+ Best Telly Savalas Movies
Ranked By
793 votes
155 voters
Voting Rules
Vote for your favorite movies, regardless of critic reviews or how big the role was.
1Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Don RicklesIn the midst of World War II, an array of colorful American soldiers gets inside information from a drunk German officer about millions of dollars worth of gold hidden on enemy soil. Kelly (Clint Eastwood), a private with the platoon, devises a plan to sneak past the German officers to steal the loot for his crew. They recruit more men and set their plan into action. Despite several casualties, the men are determined to press forward, even if it means striking a deal with the opposing army.More Kelly's Heroes
- #33 of 262 onThe 200+ Best War Movies Of All Time
- #79 of 191 onThe Best Movies For Men
- #152 of 704 onThe All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
2Gregory Peck, David Niven, Anthony QuinnIn 1943, a small commando team is sent to destroy huge German guns on the Greek Island of Navarone in order to rescue Allied troops trapped on Kheros. Led by British Major Franklin (Anthony Quayle), the team includes American Mallory (Gregory Peck), Greek resistance fighter Stavros (Anthony Quinn) and reluctant explosives expert Miller. Facing impossible odds, the men battle stormy seas and daunting cliffs. When Franklin is injured, Mallory takes command, and personal enmities spill over.More The Guns of Navarone- #43 of 262 onThe 200+ Best War Movies Of All Time
- #141 of 375 onThe Best Movies Based On Books
- #24 of 167 onThe Greatest '60s Movies, Ranked
3George Lazenby, Diana Rigg, Telly SavalasAgent 007 (George Lazenby) and the adventurous Tracy Di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg) join forces to battle the evil SPECTRE organization in the treacherous Swiss Alps. But the group's powerful leader, Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Telly Savalas), is launching his most calamitous scheme yet: a germ warfare plot that could kill millions!- 4Lee 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
- #446 of 769 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
- #38 of 191 onThe Best Movies For Men
5Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, Polly BergenAfter an eight-year prison sentence for rape, Max Cady (Robert Mitchum) targets Sam Bowden (Gregory Peck), one of the lawyers who sent him away. When Max finds Sam and his family, he begins a terrifying stalking spree, intending to ruin Sam's life. Desperate to protect his wife and daughter, Sam makes every effort to send Max back to jail. But when his attempts fail, Sam realizes that he must take matters into his own hands if he wants to rid his life of Max for good.More Cape Fear- #8 of 49 onThe Top 45+ Films Released In 1962
- #65 of 252 onThe 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
- #33 of 168 onThe 160+ Scariest Psychological Thrillers
6Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Telly SavalasAlexander Saxton (Christopher Lee), a brilliant British anthropologist researching in the Russian Far East, boards the Trans-Siberian Express with his latest discovery, a frozen specimen he hopes to prove is the missing link. But en route to Europe, passengers begin to turn up dead, and terror engulfs the train as Saxton and his partner, Dr. Wells (Peter Cushing), struggle to contain a mysterious -- and increasingly murderous -- force with the power to control minds.
7Henry 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
- #12 of 20 onThe 20 Best Movies About Battleships
8Max von Sydow, Charlton Heston, Carroll BakerFrom his birth in Bethlehem to his death and eventual resurrection, the life of Jesus Christ (Max von Sydow) is given the all-star treatment in this epic retelling. Major aspects of Christ's life are touched upon, including the execution of all the newborn males in Egypt by King Herod (Claude Rains) ; Christ's baptism by John the Baptist (Charlton Heston) ; and the betrayal by Judas after the Last Supper that eventually leads to Christ's crucifixion and miraculous return.- #103 of 241 onThe 200+ Best Movies Based On A True Story
- #232 of 308 onThe 300+ Best Epic Movies Of All Time
- #8 of 39 onThe 35+ Best Biblical Movies Of All Time
9Elke Sommer, Telly Savalas, Sylva KoscinaLisa and the Devil is a 1973 Italian horror film directed by Mario Bava. The film was released in Spain as El diablo se lleva a los muertos. It had an ill-fated release in the US, where a graveley edited version completed with new scenes came out as "The House of Exorcism" with scenes directed by another filmaker. It stars Elke Sommer, Telly Savalas, and Alida Valli. The story involves a young American tourist, who stays the night at the home of a family of Spanish aristocrats whose house is plagued by supernatural evil and dark secrets involving necrophilia. The US version includes new material that recasts the film as an "Exorcist" clone, with the main character possessed and recounting to the priest who's seeking to save her the story of how she became possessed.
10Burt Lancaster, Karl Malden, Thelma RitterSentenced to life in solitary confinement after killing a prison guard, despondent inmate Robert Stroud (Burt Lancaster) combats loneliness and tedium by nursing an ailing bird back to health. Stroud develops an interest in caring for birds and becomes a talented ornithologist. After publishing a book on bird diseases from jail, he meets and marries Stella (Betty Field), a fellow bird enthusiast. When Stroud is suddenly moved to Alcatraz, though, his marriage and work are both threatened.More Birdman of Alcatraz- #10 of 49 onThe Top 45+ Films Released In 1962
- #49 of 167 onThe Greatest '60s Movies, Ranked
- #3 of 22 onThe Least Accurate Movies About Historical Figures
11Burt Lancaster, Shelley Winters, Ossie DavisIlliterate fur trapper Joe Bass (Burt Lancaster) is coerced by some Kiowa Indians into trading his haul for a well-educated, escaped slave named Joseph Lee (Ossie Davis). Bass seeks to track the Indians and recover his treasure, while Joseph wants to travel to Mexico, where slavery is illegal. Their plans are complicated by the arrival of a band of scalphunters, led by Jim Howie (Telly Savalas), who want to kill the Indians, claim the furs and resell the black man.
12Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, David NivenA ragtag group of prisoners -- Italian chef Bruno (Sonny Bono), British archeology professor Blake (David Niven), American soldier Nat (Richard Roundtree) and Greek prostitute Eleana (Claudia Cardinale) -- befriend each other in a Greek POW camp run by Otto Hecht (Roger Moore), an art-loving Nazi officer. With the help of local resistance fighters, the inmates plot to escape and steal valuable artifacts from a heavily guarded monastery that's used as a storehouse.
13Omar Sharif, Gregory Peck, Julie NewmarMackenna's Gold is a 1969 western film directed by J. Lee Thompson, starring Gregory Peck, Omar Sharif, Telly Savalas, Ted Cassidy, Camilla Sparv, and Julie Newmar. It was photographed in Super Panavision 70 and Technicolor by Joseph MacDonald, with original music by Quincy Jones. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Heck Allen using the penname Will Henry, telling the story of how the lure of gold corrupts a diverse group of people. The novel was loosely based on the legend of the Lost Adams Diggings, crediting the Frank Dobie account of the legend in the Author's Note.
14Gina Lollobrigida, Shelley Winters, Peter LawfordDuring World War II, an Italian villager (Gina Lollobrigida) befriends three American soldiers. Later, when unsure which of them fathered the daughter she has, she invents a dead captain named Campbell, declares herself his widow and accepts support checks from all three soldiers. Twenty years later, a reunion unexpectedly brings the three veterans -- and their wives and children -- back to Italy. Mrs. Campbell panics as she endeavors to keep her lively past from her daughter.
15Mongo's Back in Town
Martin Sheen, Telly Savalas, Joe Don BakerMongo's Back in Town is a crime TV movie, directed by Marvin J. Chomsky, with Telly Savalas, Joe Don Baker and Martin Sheen.
16Burt Lancaster, Dina Merrill, Shelley WintersAfter a Puerto Rican teen is murdered by three white adolescents, the case comes to Assistant District Attorney Hank Bell (Burt Lancaster). Realizing that he used to date the mother (Shelley Winters) of one of the suspects, he wonders if the boy is his son. Despite Bell's personal involvement, the district attorney (Edward Andrews) keeps him on the case. However, as Bell discovers street gang involvement in the case, he and his wife (Dina Merrill) begin to face physical threats.
17Michael Caine, Sally Field, Telly SavalasDisaster movie sequel following two groups of adventurers as they race to salvage a doomed ship's treasure hours after it has been crippled by a tidal wave. When the gold-diggers enter the overturned liner through a hole cut by the coastguard they discover more survivors still trapped on board and struggle to carry out their plans before the ocean finally claims the wrecked vessel.
18Rock Hudson, Angie Dickinson, Telly SavalasPretty Maids All in a Row is an American mystery film that is part dark comedy, part murder mystery. It starred Rock Hudson alongside Angie Dickinson, and was released on April 28, 1971. Roger Vadim directed the film, which Gene Roddenberry produced, having dramatized a novel written by Francis Pollini into the screenplay from which Vadim worked. This was Roddenberry's only feature film writing credit.
19Ernest Borgnine, Telly Savalas, Randall "Tex" CobbThe Dirty Dozen: The Deadly Mission is a 1987 made-for-TV film and is the second sequel to the original The Dirty Dozen. It features an all-new 'dirty dozen,' this time under the leadership of Major Wright, playing a different role than in the 1967 film. Learning of a Nazi plot to attack Washington, D.C. with a deadly nerve gas, Major Wright leads twelve convicts on a suicide mission deep into occupied France to destroy the secret factory where the poison is made.
20Elliott Gould, James Brolin, Hal HolbrookThree astronauts (James Brolin, Sam Waterston, O.J. Simpson) are about to launch into space on the first mission to Mars. But when a mechanical failure surfaces that would kill the three men, NASA removes them from the Capricorn One capsule. To prevent a public outcry, NASA launches the capsule unmanned and requires the astronauts to film fake mission footage in a studio. However, the plan is compromised when an ambitious journalist (Elliott Gould) discovers the conspiracy.- 21Ernest Borgnine, Heather Thomas, Telly SavalasThe Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission is 1988 made-for-TV film and is the third sequel to the original The Dirty Dozen. It features an all-new 'dirty dozen,' with the exception of the returning Joe Stern, under the leadership of Major Wright.
- 22O. J. Simpson, Christopher Lee, Peter FondaKiller Force is a 1976 thriller film directed by Val Guest and starring Telly Savalas, Peter Fonda and Christopher Lee. It was a co-production between the Republic of Ireland, Switzerland and the United States and was filmed primarily in South Africa. Its plot is about a gang of criminals who plan a major robbery of a diamond mine. It is also known as The Diamond Mercenaries .
23James Coburn, Telly Savalas, Bud SpencerA Reason to Live, a Reason to Die is a 1972 Technicolor Italian spaghetti western movie starring James Coburn. Many exterior scenes were filmed at the Fort Bowie set built in the Province of Almería, Spain, where the desert landscape and climate that characterizes part of the province have made it a much utilized setting for Western films, among those A Fistful of Dollars, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and later 800 Bullets. The Fort Bowie set was originally built for the film The Deserter.
24Stephen Boyd, Omar Sharif, James MasonPrince Temujin (Omar Sharif) watches the execution of his father by the ruthless Mongol leader, Jamuga (Stephen Boyd), who forces Temujin and his people into slavery. Escaping into the mountains, Temujin vows to avenge his father and unite the Mongol people. He kidnaps and eventually marries Bortei (Françoise Dorléac), a woman betrothed to Jamuga. He then raises an army and saves China from Jamuga's invaders, prompting the emperor (Robert Morley) to convey upon him the title Genghis Khan.
25Charles Durning, Austin Pendleton, Steve MartinIn the heartwarming and whimsical film The Muppet Movie, Kermit the Frog (Jim Henson) embarks on an epic road trip across America. His goal? To pursue his dream of stardom in Hollywood. Along his journey, he encounters a quirky cast of characters including Miss Piggy (Frank Oz), Fozzie Bear (Frank Oz), and Gonzo (Dave Goelz). The movie is a charming blend of comedy and adventure, interspersed with memorable musical numbers. This delightful puppetry spectacle garnered two Oscar nominations for its original score and song. A timeless classic, 'The Muppet Movie' is a testament to friendship, dreams, and the magic of believing.More The Muppet Movie- #411 of 769 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
- #60 of 204 onMusical Movies With The Best Songs
- #249 of 704 onThe All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
26Leslie Nielsen, Telly Savalas, Doug McClureBeau Geste is a 1966 film based on the novel by P. C. Wren filmed by Universal Pictures in Technicolor and Techniscope near Yuma, Arizona and directed by Douglas Heyes. This is the least faithful of the various film adaptations of the original novel. In this version, there are only two brothers, rather than three, and there are no sequences showing Beau's life prior to his joining the Legion.- 27Stanley Tucci, Telly Savalas, Pat HingleKojak: The Price of Justice is a 1987 film directed by Alan Metzger. A top New York cop finds himself trapped in a tangled web of false trials, jealousies and murderous scheming as he investigates the death of two young boys, discovered in a Harlem river.
28Ringo Starr, John Stamos, Sammy DavisAlice in Wonderland is a two-part film adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice books. An Irwin Allen production, it was a special made for television and used a huge all-star cast of notable actors and actresses. The title role was played by Natalie Gregory, who wore a blonde wig for this miniseries. Alice in Wonderland was first telecast December 9, 1985, and December 10, 1985, at 8:00pm EST on CBS. It was filmed in Los Angeles at the MGM Studios in Culver City over a 55-day period from March 12, 1985 to May 28 of that same year. Additional filming took place at Malibu Beach for the oysters scene, and establishing shots of Alice's house took place at the S. S. Hinds Estate, also in the Los Angeles area.
29Caroline Munro, Telly Savalas, Helmut BergerFaceless is a 1988 French slasher film directed by Jesús Franco. The film is about Dr. Flamand and his assistant Nathalie who lure unsuspecting victims to use their skin to perform plastic surgery on the doctor's disfigured sister - a plot reminiscent of Franco's first film, Gritos en la noche. Hallen is a New York businessman who hires private detective Sam Morgan to find his missing fashion model daughter Barbara. Other elements of the story include a Nazi doctor and a chainsaw/power tool tormentor who are called in by Dr. Flamand. This was Savalas' final acting appearance before his death in 1994.
30Michael Callan, Cliff Robertson, James MacArthurA group of interns learns about life, love and medicine during their first year at New North Hospital. John (Cliff Robertson) jeopardizes his future by swiping some pills to help a desperate model (Suzy Parker), funnyman Sid (Nick Adams) begins a relationship with a dying patient (Ellen Davalos), and Alec (Michael Callan) juggles two relationships at once. Only Madolyn (Haya Harareet), a single mother, exhibits the kind of poise and seriousness befitting a professional.
