Kirk Douglas movies: 15 greatest films ranked worst to best

Gold Derby

Kirk Douglas movies: 15 greatest films ranked worst to best

Zach Laws

Posted: December 1, 2023 | Last updated: December 6, 2023

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Kirk Douglas

Hollywood icon Kirk Douglas died at the age of 103 in 2020. The three-time Oscar nominee defied the Hollywood black list when he gave rightful credit screenwriter Dalton Trumbo on the film “Spartacus.” That move gave new life to careers of many directors, actors and writers accused of Communist ties in the 1950s.

Over his own career and beyond, Douglas received an honorary Oscar, American Film Institute life achievement ward, Kennedy Center Honors, Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild life achievement award and National Medal of Arts. Tour our photo gallery above to see how we rank his greatest 15 films an an actor.

Born in 1916, Douglas kicked off his acting career after serving in the Navy during WWII. He made his film debut with a small role in “The Strange Love of Martha Ivers” (1946). His first Oscar nomination as Best Actor came just three years later for Mark Robson‘s boxing drama “Champion” (1949). He earned two more Oscar bids working with director Vincent Minnelli, first for the Hollywood melodrama “The Bad and the Beautiful” (1952) and again for the Vincent Van Gogh biopic “Lust for Life” (1956). The latter film brought him victories at the Golden Globes and New York Film Critics Circle.

Douglas found success on the small screen as well, reaping Emmy bids for “Amos” (Best Movie/Mini Actor in 1986), “Tales from the Crypt” (Best Drama Actor in 1992) and “Touched by an Angel” (Best Drama Guest Actor in 2000).

Proving that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree, Douglas’s son, Michael Douglas, is having a successful career as well, winning Oscars for producing “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975) and starring in “Wall Street” (1987). Though they seldom worked together the two presented the Best Picture Oscar to “Chicago” in 2002 and appeared together in the film “It Runs in the Family” (2003).

<p><strong>Directed by Vincente Minnelli. Screenplay by Charles Schnee, based on the novel by Irwin Shaw. Starring Edward G. Robinson, Cyd Charisse, George Hamilton, Claire Trevor, Daliah Lavi, Rosanna Schiaffino.</strong></p> <p>Douglas reunited with <strong>Vincente Minnelli</strong> for a spiritual sequel to “The Bad and the Beautiful,” this time a behind-the-scenes look at the trials and tribulations of a movie crew in Rome (footage from that previous film is actually incorporated in this one). He plays Jack Andrus, a washed-up actor who spent three years in an asylum and gets a chance at redemption with a minor role under the guidance of his favorite director (<strong>Edward G. Robinson</strong>). While shooting, he soon becomes bedazzled by the beautiful Veronica (<strong>Daliah Lavi</strong>). This technicolor melodrama is at times too overwrought for its own good, but certainly never dull.</p>

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15. TWO WEEKS IN ANOTHER TOWN (1962)

Directed by Vincente Minnelli. Screenplay by Charles Schnee, based on the novel by Irwin Shaw. Starring Edward G. Robinson, Cyd Charisse, George Hamilton, Claire Trevor, Daliah Lavi, Rosanna Schiaffino.

Douglas reunited with Vincente Minnelli for a spiritual sequel to “The Bad and the Beautiful,” this time a behind-the-scenes look at the trials and tribulations of a movie crew in Rome (footage from that previous film is actually incorporated in this one). He plays Jack Andrus, a washed-up actor who spent three years in an asylum and gets a chance at redemption with a minor role under the guidance of his favorite director (Edward G. Robinson). While shooting, he soon becomes bedazzled by the beautiful Veronica (Daliah Lavi). This technicolor melodrama is at times too overwrought for its own good, but certainly never dull.

<p><strong>Directed by John Sturges. Written by Leon Uris, from a story by George Scullin. Starring Burt Lancaster, Rhonda Fleming, Jo Van Fleet, John Ireland.</strong></p> <p>The story of <strong>Wyatt Earp</strong> and his legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral has been told so many times by so many people that it’s almost entered Shakespeare territory. This ambitious version from <strong>John Sturges</strong> finds <strong>Burt Lancaster</strong> filling the iconic lawman’s boots, with Douglas stealing the show as the outlaw-turned-ally <strong>Doc Holliday</strong>. The final showdown between Earp, Holliday, and a gang of bandits is a stunner (the actual incident didn’t last that long, but who cares?). Oscar bids were won for its film editing and sound.</p>

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14. GUNFIGHT AT THE O.K. CORRAL (1957)

Directed by John Sturges. Written by Leon Uris, from a story by George Scullin. Starring Burt Lancaster, Rhonda Fleming, Jo Van Fleet, John Ireland.

The story of Wyatt Earp and his legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral has been told so many times by so many people that it’s almost entered Shakespeare territory. This ambitious version from John Sturges finds Burt Lancaster filling the iconic lawman’s boots, with Douglas stealing the show as the outlaw-turned-ally Doc Holliday. The final showdown between Earp, Holliday, and a gang of bandits is a stunner (the actual incident didn’t last that long, but who cares?). Oscar bids were won for its film editing and sound.

<p><strong>Directed by Brian De Palma. Screenplay by John Farris, based on his novel. Starring John Cassavetes, Carrie Snodgress, Charles Durning, Amy Irving, Andrew Stevens, Fiona Lewis.</strong></p> <p>In <strong>Brian De Palma</strong>’s telekinetic teens thriller, Douglas hams it up as a former government agent whose son (<strong>Andrew Stevens</strong>) is kidnapped by a nefarious associate (<strong>John Cassavetes</strong>) in order to use his psychic powers for evil. He enlists the help of another psychic high schooler (<strong>Amy Irving</strong>) to track down his son before it’s too late. Luckily, the only one who gets destroyed is Cassavetes, in one of De Palma’s most gloriously gory set pieces. The plot may be silly and filled with crater-sized holes, but it’s also a wickedly good time.</p>

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13. THE FURY (1978)

Directed by Brian De Palma. Screenplay by John Farris, based on his novel. Starring John Cassavetes, Carrie Snodgress, Charles Durning, Amy Irving, Andrew Stevens, Fiona Lewis.

In Brian De Palma’s telekinetic teens thriller, Douglas hams it up as a former government agent whose son (Andrew Stevens) is kidnapped by a nefarious associate (John Cassavetes) in order to use his psychic powers for evil. He enlists the help of another psychic high schooler (Amy Irving) to track down his son before it’s too late. Luckily, the only one who gets destroyed is Cassavetes, in one of De Palma’s most gloriously gory set pieces. The plot may be silly and filled with crater-sized holes, but it’s also a wickedly good time.

<p><strong>Directed by David Miller. Screenplay by Dalton Trumbo, based on the novel by Edward Abbey. Starring Gena Rowlands, Walter Matthau, Michael Kane, Carroll O’Connor, William Schallert, George Kennedy.</strong></p> <p>Douglas often counts this gritty little western as one of his career favorites, and it does indeed contain some of the actor’s best work. He plays John W. “Jack” Burns, a fiercely independent Korean War vet who roams from town to town and job to job, rejecting the conventions of modern society. He arranges to have himself locked up in order to break out with a friend (<strong>Michael Kane</strong>) who’s been jailed for providing aid to illegal immigrants. The film brought Douglas a BAFTA nomination as Best Foreign Actor, though the Academy ignored him.</p>

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12. LONELY ARE THE BRAVE (1962)

Directed by David Miller. Screenplay by Dalton Trumbo, based on the novel by Edward Abbey. Starring Gena Rowlands, Walter Matthau, Michael Kane, Carroll O’Connor, William Schallert, George Kennedy.

Douglas often counts this gritty little western as one of his career favorites, and it does indeed contain some of the actor’s best work. He plays John W. “Jack” Burns, a fiercely independent Korean War vet who roams from town to town and job to job, rejecting the conventions of modern society. He arranges to have himself locked up in order to break out with a friend (Michael Kane) who’s been jailed for providing aid to illegal immigrants. The film brought Douglas a BAFTA nomination as Best Foreign Actor, though the Academy ignored him.

<p><strong>Directed by William Wyler. Screenplay by Robert Wyler and Philip Yordan, based on the play by Sidney Kingsley. Starring Eleanor Parker, William Bendix, Cathy O’Donnell, George Macready, Horace McMahon, Gladys George, Joseph Wiseman, Lee Grant.</strong></p> <p>Viewed today, <strong>Sidney Kingsley</strong>’s play about police life lacks the grit and edge that once made it a Broadway hit. But as adapted for the screen by <strong>William Wyler</strong>, “Detective Story” is an effective enough melodrama about various characters weaving in and out of a New York precinct. Douglas is at the center as the rage-filled Det. James McLeod, who’s obsessively hunting for an abortionist (<strong>George Macready</strong>), only to find out his neglected wife (Best Actress nominee <strong>Eleanor Parker</strong>) once paid the doctor a visit. <strong>Lee Grant</strong> makes her film debut (and earned a Supporting Actress bid) as a frightened shoplifter.</p>

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11. DETECTIVE STORY (1951)

Directed by William Wyler. Screenplay by Robert Wyler and Philip Yordan, based on the play by Sidney Kingsley. Starring Eleanor Parker, William Bendix, Cathy O’Donnell, George Macready, Horace McMahon, Gladys George, Joseph Wiseman, Lee Grant.

Viewed today, Sidney Kingsley’s play about police life lacks the grit and edge that once made it a Broadway hit. But as adapted for the screen by William Wyler, “Detective Story” is an effective enough melodrama about various characters weaving in and out of a New York precinct. Douglas is at the center as the rage-filled Det. James McLeod, who’s obsessively hunting for an abortionist (George Macready), only to find out his neglected wife (Best Actress nominee Eleanor Parker) once paid the doctor a visit. Lee Grant makes her film debut (and earned a Supporting Actress bid) as a frightened shoplifter.

<p><strong>Directed by John Frankenheimer. Screenplay by Rod Serling, based on the novel by Fletcher Knebel and Charles W. Bailey II. Starring Burt Lancaster, Fredric March, Ava Gardner, Edmond O’Brien, Martin Balsam, George Macready, Whit Bissell, Hugh Marlowe.</strong></p> <p>Though it was released in 1964, <strong>John Frankenheimer</strong>’s “Seven Days in May” plays like an eerie cautionary tale for the Donald Trump era. It centers on a military coupe, led by General James M. Scott (<strong>Burt Lancaster</strong>), to take over the United States when the liberal President (<strong>Frederic March</strong>) appears soft on Russia. It’s up to the loyal Colonel Martin “Jiggs” Casey (Douglas) to help the Commander in Chief stop this diabolical plot before it’s too late. An intelligent script by <strong>Rod Serling</strong> and fantastic performances all-around (including Supporting Actor nominee <strong>Edmond O’Brien</strong> as an alcoholic senator) make this a nail-biting must-see.</p>

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10. SEVEN DAYS IN MAY (1964)

Directed by John Frankenheimer. Screenplay by Rod Serling, based on the novel by Fletcher Knebel and Charles W. Bailey II. Starring Burt Lancaster, Fredric March, Ava Gardner, Edmond O’Brien, Martin Balsam, George Macready, Whit Bissell, Hugh Marlowe.

Though it was released in 1964, John Frankenheimer’s “Seven Days in May” plays like an eerie cautionary tale for the Donald Trump era. It centers on a military coupe, led by General James M. Scott (Burt Lancaster), to take over the United States when the liberal President (Frederic March) appears soft on Russia. It’s up to the loyal Colonel Martin “Jiggs” Casey (Douglas) to help the Commander in Chief stop this diabolical plot before it’s too late. An intelligent script by Rod Serling and fantastic performances all-around (including Supporting Actor nominee Edmond O’Brien as an alcoholic senator) make this a nail-biting must-see.

<p><strong>Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Screenplay by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, adaptation by Vera Caspary, based on the novel in ‘Heart’s International Cosmopolitan’ by John Klempner. Starring Jeanne Crain, Linda Darnell, Ann Sothern, Paul Douglas, Jeffrey Lynn.</strong></p> <p>Although “A Letter to Three Wives” is all about the ladies, there’s still some juicy roles for men in <strong>Joseph L. Mankiewicz</strong>’s comedic romance. <strong>Jeanne Crain</strong>, <strong>Linda Darnell</strong>, and <strong>Ann Sothern</strong> are the titular women, who receive a note from their best friend (voiced by <strong>Celeste Holm</strong>) announcing she’s running off with one of their husbands. Only problem is, she won’t say who. Douglas plays Sothern’s husband, a schoolteacher rankled by the fact his spouse makes more money than he does. Mankiewicz won the first of his two consecutive Oscar victories for writing and directing (the next came for “All About Eve” in 1950).</p>

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9. A LETTER TO THREE WIVES (1949)

Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Screenplay by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, adaptation by Vera Caspary, based on the novel in ‘Heart’s International Cosmopolitan’ by John Klempner. Starring Jeanne Crain, Linda Darnell, Ann Sothern, Paul Douglas, Jeffrey Lynn.

Although “A Letter to Three Wives” is all about the ladies, there’s still some juicy roles for men in Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s comedic romance. Jeanne Crain, Linda Darnell, and Ann Sothern are the titular women, who receive a note from their best friend (voiced by Celeste Holm) announcing she’s running off with one of their husbands. Only problem is, she won’t say who. Douglas plays Sothern’s husband, a schoolteacher rankled by the fact his spouse makes more money than he does. Mankiewicz won the first of his two consecutive Oscar victories for writing and directing (the next came for “All About Eve” in 1950).

<p><strong>Directed by Jacques Tourneur. Screenplay by Daniel Mainwaring, based on the the novel ‘Build My Gallows High’ by Daniel Mainwaring. Starring Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, Rhonda Fleming, Richard Webb, Steve Brodie, Virginia Huston.</strong></p> <p>This film noir classic from <strong>Jacques Tourneur</strong> casts the usually heroic Douglas in a rare villainous role, and he proves to be really good at playing bad. “Out of the Past” centers on a gas station employee (<strong>Robert Mitchum</strong>) desperately trying to escape his bygone life as a private eye. But that proves difficult when a former client (Douglas) returns. Years ago, Douglas hired Mitchum to track down his mistress (<strong>Jane Greer</strong>), who ran off with $40,000 after putting a bullet in him. But Greer managed to cast a spell on this seasoned professional. <strong>Taylor Hackford</strong> later directed a remake, “Against All Odds” (1984), best remembered for <strong>Phil Collins</strong>’ catchy, Oscar-nominated title song.</p>

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8. OUT OF THE PAST (1947)

Directed by Jacques Tourneur. Screenplay by Daniel Mainwaring, based on the the novel ‘Build My Gallows High’ by Daniel Mainwaring. Starring Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, Rhonda Fleming, Richard Webb, Steve Brodie, Virginia Huston.

This film noir classic from Jacques Tourneur casts the usually heroic Douglas in a rare villainous role, and he proves to be really good at playing bad. “Out of the Past” centers on a gas station employee (Robert Mitchum) desperately trying to escape his bygone life as a private eye. But that proves difficult when a former client (Douglas) returns. Years ago, Douglas hired Mitchum to track down his mistress (Jane Greer), who ran off with $40,000 after putting a bullet in him. But Greer managed to cast a spell on this seasoned professional. Taylor Hackford later directed a remake, “Against All Odds” (1984), best remembered for Phil Collins’ catchy, Oscar-nominated title song.

<p><strong>Directed by Vincente Minnelli. Screenplay by Charles Schnee, based on the story ‘Tribute to a Badman’ by George Bradshaw. Starring Lana Turner, Walter Pidgeon, Dick Powell, Barry Sullivan, Gloria Grahame, Gilbert Roland.</strong></p> <p>Douglas gives one of his best performances as a ruthless movie producer in <strong>Vincente Minnelli</strong>’s Hollywood melodrama. (Apparently, <strong>David O. Selznick</strong> hired lawyers to find out if the character was based on him.) The story of Jonathan Shields is told in flashback by an actress (<strong>Lana Turner</strong>), a director (<strong>Barry Sullivan</strong>), and a writer (<strong>Dick Powell</strong>) who knew him… and hated him. The film earned six Oscar nominations and won five prizes, including Best Supporting Actress for <strong>Gloria Grahame</strong> as the writer’s wife and Best Screenplay for <strong>Charles Schnee</strong>. Sadly, the one prize it lost was Best Actor for Douglas; he was bested by <strong>Gary Cooper</strong> (“High Noon”).</p>

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7. THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (1952)

Directed by Vincente Minnelli. Screenplay by Charles Schnee, based on the story ‘Tribute to a Badman’ by George Bradshaw. Starring Lana Turner, Walter Pidgeon, Dick Powell, Barry Sullivan, Gloria Grahame, Gilbert Roland.

Douglas gives one of his best performances as a ruthless movie producer in Vincente Minnelli’s Hollywood melodrama. (Apparently, David O. Selznick hired lawyers to find out if the character was based on him.) The story of Jonathan Shields is told in flashback by an actress (Lana Turner), a director (Barry Sullivan), and a writer (Dick Powell) who knew him… and hated him. The film earned six Oscar nominations and won five prizes, including Best Supporting Actress for Gloria Grahame as the writer’s wife and Best Screenplay for Charles Schnee. Sadly, the one prize it lost was Best Actor for Douglas; he was bested by Gary Cooper (“High Noon”).

<p><strong>Directed by Richard Fleischer. Screenplay by Earl Felton, based on the novel by Jules Verne. Starring James Mason, Paul Lukas, Peter Lorre.</strong></p> <p>“20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” is one of <strong>Walt Disney</strong>’s finest live action productions, a big budget adaptation of <strong>Jules Verne</strong>’s classic sci-fi novel. Douglas stars as a 19th century sailor investigating recent disappearances of whaling ships. He soon finds himself aboard a state-of-the-art submarine commanded by the megalomaniacal Captain Nemo (a superb <strong>James Mason</strong>). A marvel of art direction and special effects (both of which brought it well-deserved Oscar victories), the film is best remembered for a terrifying battle between the Nautilus crew and a giant squid.</p>

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6. 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA (1954)

Directed by Richard Fleischer. Screenplay by Earl Felton, based on the novel by Jules Verne. Starring James Mason, Paul Lukas, Peter Lorre.

“20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” is one of Walt Disney’s finest live action productions, a big budget adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic sci-fi novel. Douglas stars as a 19th century sailor investigating recent disappearances of whaling ships. He soon finds himself aboard a state-of-the-art submarine commanded by the megalomaniacal Captain Nemo (a superb James Mason). A marvel of art direction and special effects (both of which brought it well-deserved Oscar victories), the film is best remembered for a terrifying battle between the Nautilus crew and a giant squid.

<p><strong>Directed by Mark Robson. Screenplay by Carl Foreman, based on the story by Ring Lardner. Starring Marilyn Maxwell, Arthur Kennedy, Paul Stewart, Ruth Roman, Lola Albright.</strong></p> <p>Douglas earned his first Oscar nomination for <strong>Mark Robson</strong>’s riveting boxing drama. He plays Midge Kelly, a poor kid with a natural talent for fighting who rises to the top by stepping on the backs of everyone he meets. <strong>Carl Foreman</strong>’s probing and insightful screenplay — adapted from a short story by <strong>Ring Lardner</strong> — paved the way for other psychologically-driven pugilist stories like “Rocky” (1976) and “Raging Bull” (1980). The film also turned its star into a bankable leading man. Though it won an Oscar for film editing, Douglas lost Best Actor to <strong>Broderick Crawford</strong> (“All the King’s Men”).</p>

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5. CHAMPION (1949)

Directed by Mark Robson. Screenplay by Carl Foreman, based on the story by Ring Lardner. Starring Marilyn Maxwell, Arthur Kennedy, Paul Stewart, Ruth Roman, Lola Albright.

Douglas earned his first Oscar nomination for Mark Robson’s riveting boxing drama. He plays Midge Kelly, a poor kid with a natural talent for fighting who rises to the top by stepping on the backs of everyone he meets. Carl Foreman’s probing and insightful screenplay — adapted from a short story by Ring Lardner — paved the way for other psychologically-driven pugilist stories like “Rocky” (1976) and “Raging Bull” (1980). The film also turned its star into a bankable leading man. Though it won an Oscar for film editing, Douglas lost Best Actor to Broderick Crawford (“All the King’s Men”).

<p><strong>Directed by Vincente Minnelli. Screenplay by Norman Corwin, based on the book by Irving Stone. Starring Anthony Quinn, James Donald, Pamela Brown, Everett Sloane, Henry Daniell.</strong></p> <p>Douglas earned his third and final Oscar nomination for <strong>Vincente Minnelli</strong>’s vibrant and enthralling biopic. “Lust for Life” recounts the brief and tortured life of Dutch painter <strong>Vincent Van Gogh</strong>, who struggles with mental illness while trying to sell his groundbreaking work to an uninterested public. <strong>Anthony Quinn</strong> took home Best Supporting Actor for a brief but memorable appearance as fellow artist and friend <strong>Paul Gauguin</strong>. Douglas won the Golden Globe and New York Film Critics Circle awards for his performance, pointing the way to a long-overdue Best Actor victory. Unfortunately, he lost to <strong>Yul Brynner</strong> (“The King and I”), and never had another chance to compete again.</p>

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4. LUST FOR LIFE (1956)

Directed by Vincente Minnelli. Screenplay by Norman Corwin, based on the book by Irving Stone. Starring Anthony Quinn, James Donald, Pamela Brown, Everett Sloane, Henry Daniell.

Douglas earned his third and final Oscar nomination for Vincente Minnelli’s vibrant and enthralling biopic. “Lust for Life” recounts the brief and tortured life of Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh, who struggles with mental illness while trying to sell his groundbreaking work to an uninterested public. Anthony Quinn took home Best Supporting Actor for a brief but memorable appearance as fellow artist and friend Paul Gauguin. Douglas won the Golden Globe and New York Film Critics Circle awards for his performance, pointing the way to a long-overdue Best Actor victory. Unfortunately, he lost to Yul Brynner (“The King and I”), and never had another chance to compete again.

<p><strong>Directed by Stanley Kubrick. Screenplay by Dalton Trumbo, based on the novel by Howard Fast. Starring Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, John Gavin, Tony Curtis.</strong></p> <p>Douglas personally produced and stars in this sword-and-sandals epic about the slave <strong>Spartacus</strong>, who leads a revolt against the tyrannical Roman Republic. He ensured that blacklisted screenwriter <strong>Dalton Trumbo</strong> would be given credit for his work, and brought on <strong>Stanley Kubrick</strong> after firing <strong>Anthony Mann</strong> within the first week of production. Though certain aspects have dated, the film is surprisingly modern in its view of politics and sexuality (“I like both snails and oysters,” <strong>Laurence Olivier</strong> tells <strong>Tony Curtis</strong> as the two share a bath). <strong>Peter Ustinov</strong> won Best Supporting Actor for his delicious performance as a gladiator manager, and prizes were also handed out for its cinematography, art direction, and costumes.</p>

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3. SPARTACUS (1960)

Directed by Stanley Kubrick. Screenplay by Dalton Trumbo, based on the novel by Howard Fast. Starring Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, John Gavin, Tony Curtis.

Douglas personally produced and stars in this sword-and-sandals epic about the slave Spartacus, who leads a revolt against the tyrannical Roman Republic. He ensured that blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo would be given credit for his work, and brought on Stanley Kubrick after firing Anthony Mann within the first week of production. Though certain aspects have dated, the film is surprisingly modern in its view of politics and sexuality (“I like both snails and oysters,” Laurence Olivier tells Tony Curtis as the two share a bath). Peter Ustinov won Best Supporting Actor for his delicious performance as a gladiator manager, and prizes were also handed out for its cinematography, art direction, and costumes.

<p><strong>Directed by Billy Wilder. Screenplay by Walter Newman, Lesser Samuels, Billy Wilder, story by Victor Desny. Starring Jan Sterling, Bob Arthur, Porter Hall.</strong></p> <p><strong>Billy Wilder</strong>’s scathing media satire provides Douglas with his most vicious role as a ruthless, hard-drinking reporter kicked out of every major news outlet in the country. Stuck at a small-time Albuquerque newspaper, he sees an opportunity to revive his career when a man becomes trapped in a mine. As he exploits the story for all it’s worth, the situation soon turns into an out-of-control circus. Ahead of his time as always, Wilder indicts both carnival-like journalism and the audiences who eat it up. Though the film reaped an Oscar bid for writing, Douglas was ignored for his blistering, bone-chilling performance.</p>

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2. ACE IN THE HOLE (1951)

Directed by Billy Wilder. Screenplay by Walter Newman, Lesser Samuels, Billy Wilder, story by Victor Desny. Starring Jan Sterling, Bob Arthur, Porter Hall.

Billy Wilder’s scathing media satire provides Douglas with his most vicious role as a ruthless, hard-drinking reporter kicked out of every major news outlet in the country. Stuck at a small-time Albuquerque newspaper, he sees an opportunity to revive his career when a man becomes trapped in a mine. As he exploits the story for all it’s worth, the situation soon turns into an out-of-control circus. Ahead of his time as always, Wilder indicts both carnival-like journalism and the audiences who eat it up. Though the film reaped an Oscar bid for writing, Douglas was ignored for his blistering, bone-chilling performance.

<p><strong>Directed by Stanley Kubrick. Screenplay by Stanley Kubrick, Calder Willingham, Jim Thompson, based on the novel by Humphrey Cobb. Starring Ralph Meeker, Adolphe Menjou, George Macready, Wayne Morris, Richard Anderson.</strong></p> <p>“Paths of Glory” comes about as close to draining the thrill and spectacle out of combat as any antiwar movie ever made. Directed by <strong>Stanley Kubrick</strong>, it finds Douglas at his most heroic as a French Colonel in WWI who refuses to continue with a suicide mission, much to the consternation of the generals sitting comfortably in their ornate offices. When three soldiers are selected for execution, it’s up to Douglas to defend them against charges of cowardice. Anchored by a startlingly realistic battle sequence and a famous gut-punch of an ending, this is a career highlight for both its director and star, who provide the story with their respective grit and gravitas.</p>

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1. PATHS OF GLORY (1957)

Directed by Stanley Kubrick. Screenplay by Stanley Kubrick, Calder Willingham, Jim Thompson, based on the novel by Humphrey Cobb. Starring Ralph Meeker, Adolphe Menjou, George Macready, Wayne Morris, Richard Anderson.

“Paths of Glory” comes about as close to draining the thrill and spectacle out of combat as any antiwar movie ever made. Directed by Stanley Kubrick, it finds Douglas at his most heroic as a French Colonel in WWI who refuses to continue with a suicide mission, much to the consternation of the generals sitting comfortably in their ornate offices. When three soldiers are selected for execution, it’s up to Douglas to defend them against charges of cowardice. Anchored by a startlingly realistic battle sequence and a famous gut-punch of an ending, this is a career highlight for both its director and star, who provide the story with their respective grit and gravitas.