The Best Albert Finney Movies

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Updated August 11, 2023 1.6K votes 359 voters 21.1K views
Over 300 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Albert Finney Movies
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Passionate movie enthusiasts have banded together to curate a list of the greatest Albert Finney films ever made. This iconic actor has graced our screens for over 50 years, starring in a multitude of critically acclaimed movies that showcase his incredible range as an artist. Whether playing tough-as-nails characters or embodying charming humor, Finney's indelible mark on cinema ensures he remains one of the most beloved actors of all time.

Since breaking out in the late 1950s, it was clear that Albert Finney possessed something special. He exuded natural talent and charisma with ease, captivating audiences with his ability to bring depth and nuance to even the most complex roles. Throughout his career, Finney continued delivering unforgettable performances which touched hearts worldwide.

This list presents some of Albert Finney's finest works; from early hits like Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960) and Tom Jones (1963), to more recent classics such as The Dresser (1983) and Big Fish (2003). Each film showcases a unique facet of this legendary actor's unparalleled skillset - making it near impossible not to become engrossed in every single story.

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Most divisive: Roger Waters: The Wall: Live in Berlin
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  • Charlie Bubbles
    1

    Charlie Bubbles

    Albert Finney, Liza Minnelli, Colin Blakely
    21 votes
    • Released: 1968
    • Directed by: Albert Finney
    Charlie Bubbles (Albert Finney), a wealthy British writer who is losing his ability to feel -- and therefore write -- returns to his hometown of Manchester. Despite his success, Charlie is restless and unhappy even when he visits the women in his life, including his mistress, Eliza (Liza Minnelli), and his estranged wife, Lottie (Billie Whitelaw). As Charlie floats around Manchester, it becomes clear that he is almost completely disconnected from his working-class roots.
  • Under the Volcano
    2

    Under the Volcano

    Albert Finney, Jacqueline Bisset, Anthony Andrews
    25 votes
    • Released: 1984
    • Directed by: John Huston
    Geoffrey Firmin (Albert Finney) is a heavy-drinking British diplomat living in a Mexican town. As the local Day of the Dead celebration gets underway, Geoffrey drowns himself in the bottle, having cut himself off from his family, friends and job. When Geoffrey goes missing, his wife Yvonne (Jacqueline Bisset) convinces his half-brother Hugh (Anthony Andrews) to conduct a last-ditch search for the drunk, hoping that Hugh might be able to rescue her self-destructing husband.

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  • Tom Jones
    3

    Tom Jones

    Albert Finney, Susannah York, Hugh Griffith
    59 votes
    • Released: 1963
    • Directed by: Tony Richardson
    Tom Jones (Albert Finney), a bastard foundling raised by the kindly Squire Allworthy (George Devine), loves the beautiful Sophie Western (Susannah York), but cannot marry her due to the difference in their stations. When the villainous Blifil (David Warner) tricks the squire into casting Tom out of his household, the young man goes forth into the world on a series of high-spirited adventures, including heroic swordfights, mistaken identities, good deeds and lusty women.

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  • Saturday Night and Sunday Morning
    4

    Saturday Night and Sunday Morning

    Albert Finney, Rachel Roberts, Shirley Anne Field
    41 votes
    • Released: 1960
    • Directed by: Karel Reisz
    In a Nottingham factory, Arthur Seaton works in a mindless haze, but his weekends are even more muddled due to his love affairs and his alcohol problem. One of the women Arthur is involved with, Brenda, is married to his coworker, but pregnant with Arthur's child. Meanwhile, Arthur is also pursuing Doreen. Soon enough, he is found out by Brenda, who wants money or an abortion, and Arthur finds himself at a crossroads.

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  • Shoot the Moon
    5

    Shoot the Moon

    Albert Finney, Diane Keaton, Dana Hill
    18 votes
    • Released: 1982
    • Directed by: Alan Parker
    After years of marriage, the seemingly perfect relationship between accomplished writer George Dunlap (Albert Finney) and his wife, Faith (Diane Keaton), is rapidly deteriorating. While George becomes involved in an affair with the lovely Sandy (Karen Allen), Faith begins a romance with handsome contractor Frank (Peter Weller). These infidelities not only take a toll on George and Faith, they affect their four daughters, who start to resent their father in particular.

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  • The Duellists
    6

    The Duellists

    Keith Carradine, Harvey Keitel, Albert Finney
    21 votes
    • Released: 1977
    • Directed by: Ridley Scott
    Armand d'Hubert (Keith Carradine) and Gabriel Féraud (Harvey Keitel) are French soldiers under Napoleon. A trivial quarrel between d'Hubert and Féraud escalates into a lifelong grudge, and, as war rages on, the officers repeatedly challenge one another to violent sword and pistol duels. After 15 years, both men have distinguished themselves through their service and become generals, however, their mutual hatred never ceases, even when the initial cause of their rivalry is forgotten.

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