Harrison Ford, one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, turns 80. There were several iconic roles throughout his career, and those remembered, of course, are those of Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Blade Runner. Let’s remember here his most important movies.
American Graffiti (1973)
Contrary to popular belief, this was not Ford’s film debut. American Graffiti is his first participation in a successful feature and also inaugurates his fruitful partnership with George Lucas.
Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
In the role of the anti-hero, the smuggler Han Solo, Ford rose to stardom, showing even more clearly than in the previous film the strength of his charisma on screen. In the first film of George Lucas’ space saga, he made his star aura clear.
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
In the second film of the classic trilogy, Han Solo gains even more prominence (his image on the poster is noticeably wider) and his character has a more in-depth development. It was Ford’s cue to shine and give a beautiful idea of what would come the following year, in which for the first time he would play a title role.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Indiana Jones is easily one of cinema’s greatest heroes, and it’s doubtful he would be immortalized if he wasn’t played by Harrison Ford. At first it would be done by Tom Selleck, who declined the invitation because of the series Magnum, which he starred at the time. And Ford proved to be the better choice, although George Lucas was wary of putting him in the role because he was already in Star Wars. And remembering that Ford returned to the role for the fifth film in the franchise, which will be released next year.
Blade Runner (1982)
Undoubtedly one of the best science fiction films of all time, it features a dense interpretation of Harrison Ford as the title’s android hunter, Detective Dick Deckard. The adaptation of Phillip K. Dick’s book (actually part of it) became an icon, mainly for the cyberpunk look, but Ford’s composition – as well as his chemistry with Sean Young, were the really fundamental pieces for the machine to work.
The Witness (1985)
It can be considered the first “serious” film of Harrison Ford’s career to be commercially successful. Directed by Peter Weir, it tells the story of a boy who witnesses the murder of a policeman and recognizes another policeman as the killer. It’s up to Detective John Book (Ford) to protect him. For this feature, Ford competed for the first time for the statuette for Best Actor.
Frantic Search (1988)
In this thriller directed by Roman Polanski, Harrison Ford plays surgeon Dr. Richard Walker who finds himself in the middle of a dangerous plot involving international terrorism. Here the actor delivers a performance without great brilliance, but functional for the plot. The box office disappointed at the time, however it is yet another demonstration of the star’s magnetism.
Working Girl (1988)
In the Mike Nichols feature, Tess McGill (Melanie Griffith) is a working-class girl who works as a brokerage secretary in the Wall Street mergers and acquisitions department, aspiring to reach an executive position. Ford is Jack Trainer, a great businessman who supports her when she takes the place of her boss, Katharine, played by Sigourney Weaver, and poses as an executive. The two end up falling in love, with the detail that he is Katherine’s boyfriend. Although he is overshadowed by the strength of the female characters, Ford performs his role well in this film that was nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture.
Patriotic Games (1992)
Ford plays CIA agent Jack Ryan for the first time, a character created by author Tom Clancy, who would live again in “Immediate Real Peril”. It appears to have been tailor-made for the actor.
The Fugitive (1993)
Adaptation of the eponymous 60’s TV series, it was a huge box office success in its year of release, and one of the most remembered films of the 90’s. Ford shines in every frame as Doctor Richard Kimble who is wrongfully accused of the murder of his own wife.
