MovieChat Forums > Billy Budd (1962) Discussion > Robert Ryan

Robert Ryan

posted 11 years ago by Squeeth2
10 replies | jump to latest

When I watched this in the dark days of the 1970s, Claggart was a complete bastard but this time all I can do is admire Ryan's acting.

Marlon, Claudia and Dimby the cats 1989-2005, 2007 and 2010.

[–] gioconda 11 years ago

Robert Ryan is one of the most underrated actors of his era. He had such brilliant competition with Lancaster, Mitchum, Bogart, Douglas, Widmark...what an incredible golden age for screen actors. However, it must have frustrated him that he missed out on many great roles.

[–] Fully_Loaded 10 years ago

he wasn't a hunk but a great actor

[–] JohninVegas 8 years ago

You got that right. He was a great actor.

[–] sirjeremy 11 years ago

I was also impressed with this performance when I watched it yesterday. I know 1962 was a very strong year for actors with several big names missing out on Oscar nominations but I thought he should easily have got a nod with this baity role. From what I've read, the studio focused more on Stamp with their campaigning.

[–] jglapin 10 years ago

Some of his best roles had playing a complete prick. "The Odds Against Tomorrow" being another. I understand that people who knew him described him as a gentle and kind man.

[–] srklondie 8 years ago

You need to add ' Crossfire ' and ' Bad Day at Black Rock ' to that. I'll tell you how much I admire his work. I have around fifty of his performances in my collection. The only other actors I enjoy watching ply their crafts about as much as Ryan are Charles Laughton and Barbara Stanwyck. As fine of an actor as Ryan was, from everything I've read, he might've been an even better human being. His son Cheyney has a Facebook page. You should check it out and see the remarkable resemblance ( minus the RR scowl ). Evidently, Cheyney was a philosophy professor at The University of Oregon at one time. Some day I'm going to message him and tell him how much I admire his father's work. I don't know what the general consensus is, but for me, it's hard to top his performance in ' On Dangerous Ground '.

[–] intofilm 10 years ago

He is excellent in this role. He did a good job of showing the inner conflicts he felt, in his scene with Billy Budd during the night watch.
All the roles I've seen him in, he is flinty and tough. It would have been interesting to see him do a romantic lead in a love story.

[–] NewtonFigg 9 years ago

He switches from sadistic cop to simpy romantic in On Dangerous Ground. It may be personal redemption for him but it kills the mood of the story.

[–] slimone (7996) 6 years ago

I thought for awhile that his character was going to relent, especially after he had that long talk with Billy. Billy has insight into Claggart's character and was spot on. Claggart apparently didn't like that and got his revenge.

[–] rudeboymurray (3241) 4 years ago

Robert Ryan’s portrayal of Claggart is one of my favourite screen villains ever. He is absolutely magnetic as an irredeemably cruel and sadistic bastard. This should have been an Oscar role.