George C. Scott had a long and celebrated career in Hollywood. He was known for playing a wide variety of characters from loving fathers to stark-raving generals. Regardless of what role he was in, Scott always brought his signature flair to whatever project he was a part of.
When an actor works for as long as Scott did, they are bound to have a few films that soar and a few films that flop. Overall, Scott's films generally have high scores on IMDb, and he was usually a big reason audiences went to see the films.
The New Centurions (1972) - 7.0
The New Centurions tells the story of a rookie cop in the LAPD who is partnered with a grizzled veteran. Though the rookie only joined the force to pay for law school he slowly finds that the job has consumed him and he can't separate work and life. George C. Scott is in his element as a gruff voiced cop who has seen it all and doesn't go too easy on his young partner. The dynamic between the older and younger cop is perfect and is made more so by stellar performances from Scott and Stacy Keach.
Hardcore (1979) - 7.0
Hardcore is often considered one of Paul Schrader's best films. In it, Scott plays a conservative business owner from the midwest who travels to Los Angeles to look for his missing daughter. He must delve into the seedy underbelly of the city to find his daughter and along the way discovers the dark and violent part of himself. The pairing of Scott and Paul Schrader was a match made in heaven, the gritty script and dark scenario is a perfect fit for the veteran actor. Scott truly makes the viewer believe his character's dark descent as he travels further and further down the path of evil.
The Hanging Tree (1959) - 7.1
George C. Scott made his dynamic feature film debut in The Hanging Tree, a western starring screen legend Gary Cooper. The film revolves around a doctor who saves a man from hanging only to manipulate him using the secrets he has learned. Scott plays a faith healer who sees the doctor's practice as competition and tries to run him out of town.
The role was perfect for the young Scott who had the opportunity to show off his dynamic personality and charisma on screen. His larger-than-life personality melded perfectly with the huckster character he was playing in the film.
Petulia (1968) - 7.1
Petulia is a touching drama about a young socialite who falls in love with a doctor. Though they are both married, they wish to pursue their relationship but conflicts continue to get in their way. Scott plays the doctor and love interest to Petulia which gives him the opportunity to show his range and sensitivity. Though Scott was known for his charismatic and authoritative characters, he proved that he could shine in a softer and more sensitive role as well.
The Hospital (1971) - 7.2
Once again in an authoritative role, Scott plays Dr. Bock in The Hospital. The film is a satirical dark comedy that follows the life of Dr. Bock as the world falls apart around him. He leaves his family behind, deals with administrative problems at the hospital, and generally has to contain the chaos of the facility. Though a humorous film, Scott's performance is deadly serious which showed his strength as a comedy straight man. Scott portrays the rising tension beautifully as the audience watches all of the problems build and build until he must surely explode.
The Changeling (1980) - 7.2
The Changeling is a horror film that also adds elements of sadness. Scott plays a composer who lost his wife and child in a car accident. To get away from the grief he travels to a remote town in New England and settles in a spooky old house. He is haunted by the ghost of a child and he is compelled to investigate where the ghost came from to get closure for himself. Scott is perfect for his role and is able to show all of stages of grief in just his facial expressions. Not only is the film terrifying, it is also tragic and Scott's brilliant performance adds to the drama.
Patton (1970) - 7.9
Patton is the role that defined Scott's career and is often regarded as one of the best war movies of all time. Following the life of General Patton during WWII, the war epic delves into the character of one of the most famous military leaders in American history.
George C. Scott embodies the role with such perfection that he would actually reprise it later in life. He manages to be scary and hilarious all at once and helped to bring the enigmatic General to life in a way that no other actor at the time could. Scott even won an Oscar for the role, which he didn't accept.
Anatomy Of A Murder (1959) - 8.0
In the same year that he made his feature film debut, George C. Scott co-starred in the courtroom drama Anatomy of a Murder. The film tells the story of a defense attorney who uses his folksy wisdom to help his client that is getting railroaded by the state.
Scott plays a sharp-tongued prosecutor who will stop at nothing to see the accused behind bars. Though still early in his career, Scott showed his confidence in the film and is both incredibly charming and unlikable at the same time. The power of his personality works perfectly in sharp contrast to Jimmy Stewart's laid-back performance.
The Hustler (1961) - 8.0
The Hustler is a film about a professional pool player who travels across the country to beat the legendary player, Minnesota Fats. Scott plays a professional gambler named Bert who agrees to finance the hustler's run for a large portion of the winnings. Scott had already made a name for himself playing heels, but in The Hustler, his talent was put on full display. He ramps up the unpleasantness and becomes the true villain of the film, though he hides behind a charismatic personality. He isn't the star of the film but Scott's performance is one of the reasons it is regarded as one of the best sports films.
Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb (1964) - 8.4
Stanley Kubrick's classic satire Dr. Strangelove features a wide array of memorable characters and dynamic performances. When a military plane carrying a nuclear payload is accidentally sent to attack the USSR, the two nation's governments must work together to avert disaster. Scott plays General Turgidson, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who is all for retaliation against the Soviets. In an absurdist comedy, Scott is able to shine and put on an over-the-top display of machismo. He is well suited for the part and proved that he could not only play dramatic roles but he could shine in a comedic setting as well.