Gene Hackman is a endowment painfully miss in film today . Though Hackman is likely enjoying his well - deserve retirement , we ca n’t help but wish we could get just a few more performances from this acting legend . But we are at least thankful he has left us with a number of classic films to savor for years to descend .

Hackman is still take one of the enceinte actors to ever work in films and his filmography reflects those talent . He has been in some of the most acclaimed motion-picture show of all time . But which are his best ? Here are Gene Hackman ’s best motion picture grant to Rotten Tomatoes .

Reds (90%)

Hackman has worked with Warren Beatty on a number of highly spat labor over the years . Redsis one such collaboration that also boast some of Beatty ’s most acclaimed work behind the camera . It is the epical story of an American journalist who becomes involve in the Communist Revolution in Russia and seek to add those political orientation to America .

The three - hour film might be too daunting for some viewers to take on , but it is well worth the time . Beatty craft a Brobdingnagian and grand story and makes for a compelling lead while backed by the ilk of Hackman , Jack Nicholson , and Diane Keaton .

No Way Out (91%)

Political thrillers can be an absorbing genre , specially with the right actors helping to secernate the story . No Way Outstars Kevin Costner as a navy officer who is attribute to investigate the decease of the mistress of the secretary of defense ( Hackman ) . With his own joining to the victim , the officer soon find himself a defendant in the case and uncovers a massive cover - up .

The complex fib will keep you guessing through some thrilling twist and turns . Hackman and the rest of the cast also elevate the material , making it an even more compelling thriller .

Antz (93%)

Hackman does n’t seem like the distinctive actor to be feature in a Kyd ' liven picture , but his authoritative phonation is put to near utilization in this bug - centrical adventure . The moving picture follow a neurotic ant look for his place in the large gild when he is accidentally mistaken as a great warrior . Hackman plays the villainous leader of the ant regular army who is front to overthrow the faggot .

The moving-picture show is a funny and inventive risky venture film with an all - star casting of vocalism actors including Sharon Stone , Christopher Walken , and Sylvester Stallone . It is pleasurable amusement for kids as well as offering enough fun for adults too .

Young Frankenstein (94%)

Hackman does n’t often appear in comedies , but he has proven to have a surprising talent for these variety of office . Young Frankensteinis a Mel Brooks parody retell of the Frankenstein starring Gene Wilder as a mad scientist wait to bring the all in back to living . Hackman has a screaming , slapstick cameo as a unreasoning man who takes a liking to Frankenstein ’s colossus .

The movie manages to maintain an telling joke - a - minute pace . The carrying out are all incredibly entertaining and there are some iconic jest - out - flash moments , including Hackman ’s unforgettable appearing .

Superman (94%)

Superhero film might be the biggest thing in Hollywood now , but there was a clock time in which bringing Superman to the big screen door was considered a risk . Christopher Reeves star as the Man of Steel who disguises himselfas newsman Clark Kentsaves the twenty-four hours in Metropolis and battles the evil star Lex Luthor ( Hackman ) .

Like the tagline sound out , " you ’ll believe a man can fell " . The flick was a magical live - action account of the iconic character with Reeves perfectly survive up to the range of a function of the hero which many fan think has yet to be top . Hackman also seems to be having a ball with his over - the - top office .

Unforgiven (96%)

Though it ’s squeamish to see Hackman take on a mixed bag of unlike part , there ’s no denying that he is passing effective as a baddie . This Western is perhaps his best spoiled guy role in a news report that debase the musical genre expectations . Clint Eastwood starsas an aging outlaw who is hired by a chemical group of prostitutes to kill a valet de chambre who animalise them . Hackman stare as a baleful sheriff who goes after the hit man .

Eastwood also place the film which features an incredible form and a fresh take on a conversant Western tale . Hackman plays a terrifying yet complex scoundrel while Eastwood successfully break down his own persona as a Western icon .

The French Connection (98%)

Hackman went from being a keep character actor to being one of the top stars in the film business with this offense masterpiece . Hackman plays Popeye Doyle , a New York City pig who joins his partner to take down a Gallic crime lord who is behind a drug - smuggling pack .

The moving-picture show is a perfect example of the gamy , bold crime write up that were well tell in the 70 with Hackman playing a arduous - to - like hero . The carrying out is entertaining , sinewy and without ego which helps make Hackman such a compelling lead actor .

The Conversation (98%)

Francis Ford Coppolais known for masterpieces likeThe Godfatherfilms andApocalypse Now , butThe Conversationis a brilliant add-on to his filmography that deserves to fend alongside those classics . Hackman stars as a surveillance expert who overhear a secret conversation that draws him into a deadly conspiracy .

The movie is an expertly made paranoid thriller boast one of Hackman ’s best and most understated functioning . It is as interesting as a fiber study on this reserved man as it is a complex mystery . It also features one of the most clever and unsubdivided twists in film history .

Lilith (100%)

Lilithis another film in which Hackman team with Warren Beatty , though this time it was before Hackman had made a name for himself in Hollywood . Beatty stars as a warfare hero who get a job at a sanatorium where he meet and is drawn into the web of an intriguing and mysterious female child named Lilith .

It is fun seeing Hackman in a smaller role along with some other recognizable star . The picture show itself is a gripping and engaging story of an unbelievable relationship between two citizenry with their own secrets .

I Never Sang For My Father (100%)

Before he was headlining some of Hollywood ’s expectant projects , Hackman starred in some overlooked but brilliant dramas likeI Never Sang for My Father . Hackman stars as a disillusioned man seek to transfer his life by tie his girlfriend and moving forth . However , he witness that harder than it seems thanks to his overbearing don .

This is an fantabulous small folk drama that countenance Hackman to show off his powerful and subtle skill as a lead man . Though not one of his most popular films , it is one worth seeking out .

NEXT : Al Pacino ’s 10 Best Movies , According To Rotten Tomatoes

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Gene Hackman

Gene Hackman in Reds

Kevin Costner in No Way Out

Woody Allen as Z in Antz

Young Frankenstein

Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor laughing with hair in Superman The Movie

Clint Eastwood as William Munny sneering at the camera in Unforgiven.

The French Connection - 1971

Gene Hackman as Harry Caul in The Conversation

Gene Hackman and Warren Beatty in Lilith

Gene Hackman in I Never Sang For My Father

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