ROTTEN TOMATOES: Indiana Jonesin': The Best of Harrison Ford Comments

Indiana Jonesin': The Best of Harrison Ford

by Jen Yamato | May 12, 2008

Summary

We count down Harrison Ford's best-reviewed films outside of the Indiana Jones franchise and the memorable characters that he played in each celebrated film. Back to Article

(1-44 of 44 posts) | Reply

TombstoneLawDog writes:
on May 12 2008 09:18 PM

I've always thought that if Ford had a strength, it was playing to his.. strength(?). He does(did) the reluctant hero thing better than just about anybody. Range? not so much. Charisma? in spades, circa 81 through 94.

(Reply to this)

Superzone writes:
on May 12 2008 09:19 PM

Harriswon Ford is freakin' awesome. 'Nuff said.

(Reply to this)

Jen Yamato writes:
on May 12 2008 09:37 PM

Totally agree, Tombstone. He's not a versatile actor, but he's damn good at what he does.

(Reply to this)

Vortex&Vertigo writes:
on May 12 2008 10:01 PM

I have to disagree with the best quote on TESB, The best quote is this one:

Leia
I love you

Han
I know

(Reply to this)

jasper de large writes:
on May 12 2008 10:09 PM

'witness' is a great one. also, check out 'mosquito coast' by the same director. i guess its tomatometer wasn't hot enough to make the list[really?] but it's def one of his standout roles

(Reply to this)

Floor Man writes:
on May 13 2008 03:00 AM

Dayum...that man has been in a lot of great movies...I forgot! :)

(Reply to this)

Weston B writes:
on May 13 2008 07:39 AM

I have to admit a bit of a man-crush on Harrison Ford.

(Reply to this)

rle4lunch writes:
on May 13 2008 08:18 AM

Talking about range, while he doesn't strech too far from his main genre, he did do well in 'Regarding Henry'. I actually enjoyed that movie, even though I was in High School when that movie came out. As well as playing a bad guy in 'What Lies Beneath'.

thoughts?

(Reply to this)

Books writes:
on May 13 2008 09:13 AM

What the hell. The Mosquito Coast is my favourite movie of all time. It didn't even make RT's ****ty list? Ford has also personally stated it is his favourite role.

(Reply to this)

DarthWonka writes:
on May 13 2008 09:42 AM

It seemed obvious to me as well that the best line from "Empire" was "I know" after Leia's "I love you." Ford made up that line himself after several takes of "I love you too" failed to feel right. I think RT should either change his best line or make room to add this one.

(Reply to this)

Jen Yamato writes:
on May 13 2008 09:50 AM

Geez ok folks, I'm changing the Empire quote. The people have spoken!

(Reply to this)

Jen Yamato writes:
on May 13 2008 09:53 AM

Books, we didn't handpick these roles - otherwise I wouldn't have included Han Solo and Jack Ryan twice. We went by the Tomatometer - Ford's ten best-reviewed films (with a few conditions), because these ten films also happen to be some of his most memorable characters.

(Reply to this)

smi1ey writes:
on May 13 2008 09:59 AM

In reply to this comment (#1733166)
Oh lord I agree with Vortex... that quote from Star Wars definitely should rank high on the best quote list!

What about "He didn't have his ticket." after he throws the guy out of the zeppelin from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade? I always loved that one.

(Reply to this)

Shatter24 writes:
on May 13 2008 10:20 AM

I agree with Jasper on "Mosquitto Coast". An excellent turn by Ford in a different kind of role. I think he does have some versatility, and this, along with another good, non-Ford role, "Regarding Henry", shows that this guy can really act. He does take roles he is good at and comfortable with (which has made him a box office star) and has a definite Ford charisma, but there are subtle character differences in Han Solo, Indiana Jones, and Rick Deckard (they are not all the same guy).

I hope Hollywood can find a place for Ford after Indy IV. His last good film was 2000's "What Lies Beneath" and he's been cast in crap ever since. I'd like to see him do a final Jack Ryan film, with the "Debt of Honor" storyline, where he becomes Vice-President, because of some political bargaining, there's terrorists, and a surprise twist at the end. That would be a great, age appropriate film for him.

(Reply to this)

ihatecarneys writes:
on May 13 2008 10:50 AM

The best line of his career was from "The Last Crusade."

Connery, "I didn't know you could fly a plane."

Ford, "Fly yes. Land, No."

Classic Ford.

(Reply to this)

tgibfo writes:
on May 13 2008 11:24 AM

Simply put, and I'm going into fanboy overload on this, Harrison Ford is God. I have to disagree with the Tomatometer on BLADE RUNNER over EMPIRE, and I think it would be obvious (to me) that RAIDERS would be number one on the list (at 98% I believe) if the Indy series was allowed on here, but an otherwise good list. Worth checking out also btw is HANOVER STREET, FRANTIC and FORCE 10 FROM NAVARONE.

"I don't know, I'm making this up as I go."

(Reply to this)

jokerboy1991 writes:
on May 13 2008 12:27 PM

Harson Ford is numer 1!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hes still proving hes the best and better action star and actor the Steve McQuenn. Firewall was the only movie I didnt like that he did. Raiders of the Lost Arc is the best movie ever.

(Reply to this)

PennsylvaniaJames writes:
on May 13 2008 01:18 PM

No Indiana Jones on this list? I'm disappointed! I would think that Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade would be there.

(Reply to this)

NotoriA writes:
on May 13 2008 01:44 PM

The classic hero of many film generations, from Star Wars to Indiana Jones, to playing the president of the USA. However what makes Harrison Ford such an amazing actor, is that his movies still ring true today and no matter how crappy a film he might have made ( cough* Random Hearts cough*) He still has so much charisma when he acts that you really end up loving the film because of him.

(Reply to this)

tomwaitsjr writes:
on May 13 2008 04:01 PM

I thought air force one was one of the dumbest movies he's ever done.

I think he's fairly versatile, I remember Regarding Henry.

He can play the wisecrackin' Han Solo, and then that murderous guy in . . . well, some movie he did with Pfeiffer.

(he also had a small role in Apocalypse Now)

(Reply to this)

Robert_Paulsen writes:
on May 13 2008 05:03 PM

PennsylvaniaJames, they left the Indiana Jones films off on purpose...otherwise yes, they would be on here.

(Reply to this)

Jen Yamato writes:
on May 13 2008 05:29 PM

Totally, thanks for noticing that R_P. All three Indy flicks would have made his top 10 otherwise.

(Reply to this)

cutmaclass writes:
on May 13 2008 07:29 PM

So glad the Rick Deckard role got #1

/fanboy

(Reply to this)

Kref writes:
on May 13 2008 08:22 PM

Is anyone here old enough to recall Harrison's first movie role? He had a minor walk-on as a bellhop in one of James Coburn's better movies, 1966's Dead Heat On A Merry Go-Round. I have almost all of Ford's movies in my library, and even like the two which were left off of the list, Six Days And Seven Nights and Sabrina. He gives everything he does the golden touch.

(Reply to this)

rpogorek writes:
on May 14 2008 01:01 AM

So...the main reason we are listing his best roles is because Indy 4 is coming out...and INDIANA JONES ISN'T IN THE TOP 10!?!?!?!?! You've got to be kidding me. Raiders of the Lost Ark at #1 for me.

And if you want to watch Harrison stretch out of his regular typecast effectively, watch "The Mosquito Coast". The role that should have gotten him an Oscar. And yes, I would have dropped Working Girl (!) and Clear and Present Danger from this list to make room....

(Reply to this)

jasper de large writes:
on May 14 2008 03:23 AM

rpogorek, calm down. the purpose of this top 10 is clearly lost on you. also, i already mentioned 'mosquito coast.' read more, complain less.

(Reply to this)

Bigbrother writes:
on May 14 2008 08:27 AM

In reply to this comment (#1733677)
Big Mistake, she's shown weakness. Get her!!!!

(Reply to this)

Bigbrother writes:
on May 14 2008 08:33 AM

Just kidding Jen, Only noticeable absence is the film that introduced him to the man that launched his career, that being American Graffiti. All Hail Big Bob Falfa, the single worst name to launch the most glorious career ever.

(Reply to this)

minderbinder writes:
on May 14 2008 01:44 PM

Air Force One got 78%? Wow, that just amazes me. That movie was a complete turd, I'm amazed anyone could take that thing seriously.

I have to agree with Mosquito Coast, amazing book and amazing movie (they just wussed out at the very end of the film). Totally underrated and mostly ignored.

(Reply to this)

byronkim writes:
on May 15 2008 08:40 AM

No Mosquito Coast?! That just doesn't seem right. I mean c'mon, are any of the Ryan movies better?

(Reply to this)

scubafinch writes:
on May 15 2008 08:06 PM

So the best line in the best film comes from the voice-over that isn't actually present in the Final Cut? Harrison Ford reportedly didn't even like the voice-over! Interesting choice.

(Reply to this)

kodie131 writes:
on May 19 2008 08:13 PM

Harrison Ford will always be the ultimate badass.

(Reply to this)

ClashWho writes:
on May 19 2008 11:36 PM

In reply to this comment (#1733677)
What did the Empire quote used to be?

(Reply to this)

cali_colt writes:
on May 20 2008 12:04 AM

Its ironic your quote for Blade Runner is from the studio-added narration that both Ford and Scott hated. I shouldn't point this out because I have no alternative off the top of my head.

My favorite line from Empire:

Leia: "I rather kiss a wookie!"

Solo: "That can be arranged!"

(Reply to this)

Flarn writes:
on May 20 2008 07:05 AM

The Fugitive. And Witness.

(Reply to this)

kramsivart writes:
on May 20 2008 10:38 AM

Yo!!! RT!!

your "best quote" from Blade Runner: Director's Cut, doesn't appear in BR-DC!! The narration was taken away (thankfully), which is why it got such a high rating.

Come on, guys...do the homework!!

(Reply to this)

happyicecream writes:
on May 20 2008 12:51 PM

In reply to this comment (#1733695)
Oh, definitely classic, but the line was simply: "No Ticket."

(Reply to this)

rockster11 writes:
on May 20 2008 01:41 PM

Raiders of the lost Ark is not even mentioned???????????????? ROFLMFAO..... What a pile of chit..

(Reply to this)

rockster11 writes:
on May 20 2008 01:42 PM

whoops my bad...... Didnt see the "best reviewed films outside of the Indiana Jones Franchise" quote....Ill run and hide in my corner now lol.

(Reply to this)

diablo-wy writes:
on May 20 2008 01:50 PM

Harrison Ford rocks....his roles have been great. Seeing hem again as Jack Ryan in Debt of Honor (being a huge Clancy fan) would rule. Here's to hoping and dreaming!!

(Reply to this)

shyurngsfriend writes:
on May 20 2008 03:05 PM

Pretty good. But my favorite quote is:
Marion: You're not the man I knew ten years ago.
Indiana: It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage. (Raiders)

(Reply to this)

the whole idea writes:
on May 20 2008 06:48 PM

my personal favorite was the russian submarine thriller k:19 the widowmaker// he and liam neeson were really great playing against each other and you don't see acting like that hardly ever// he was so reserved yet you could fell the tension in every line and movement he made// definitely his best role and a highly underrated movie// why he was not nominated for best actor in 2002 i will never know// it was really his time and place// now a highy unlikely candidate now that he's rehashing long has-been characters... and that's the whole idea...

(Reply to this)

chewie louie writes:
on May 20 2008 08:45 PM

No Indiana Jones? Absurd list.

(Reply to this)

R-viewer writes:
on May 23 2008 05:52 PM

Fav Lines:

In Crusade at the castle. it's not so much the line as it is the LOOK on Indy's face when his father replies to his question:

Indy: "how did you know she was one of them?"
Prof Jones: "She talks in her sleep.."

The look Indy gives his father is priceless, as is the grin and shrug Professor Jones Sr. returns to his son.

(Reply to this)

Related Links

Indiana Jones Countdown

Related Articles

Most Discussed

Latest News

Latest Interviews

Latest Features

Sponsored Links