Schindler's List

Schindler's List

Liam Neeson is back on the big screen this week as he continues to show off his action man credentials.

Over the years, we have seen Neeson move from hard-hitting drama, to rom-com, action, big budget blockbuster, and back again: enjoying critical and box office success along the way.

To celebrate the return of Neeson this week, we take a look at some of his movies that you have got to see.

- Schindler's List (1994)

Schindler's List celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year, and it remains the finest performance of Neeson's career.

The movie was based on the book by Thomas Keneally, and saw Neeson take on the role of Oskar Schindler, a man who tries to protect his Jewish workforce from Nazi persecution.

Schindler's List saw Neeson team up with Steven Spielberg, and together they have made one of the best war movies of all time.

Neeson delivers a triumphant performance, that is as compassionate and heart breaking as it is provocative and totally gripping.

This is a stunning piece of work from all involved, and saw Neeson receive his one and only Oscar nomination: he would go on to lose out to Tom Hanks for Philadelphia.

- Michael Collins (1996)

Neeson returned with another biopic in 1996, as he took on the role of Michael Collins in the Neil Jordan directed film.

The movie follows Collins as he plays a crucial role in the establishment of the Irish Free State in the 1920.

However, his actions resulted in him becoming vilified who those who wanted an independent Irish republic.

This is an incredibly ambitious movie project, but it really is a very bold, powerful, and rousing epic.

The film does rest on the terrific central performance from Neeson, as he brings a real presence and gusto to the title role.

More awards came Neeson's way as he scooped the Evening Standard British Film Award for Best Actor. He and the movie also triumphed at the Venice Film Festival.

- Batman Begins (2005)

Neeson has also tackled the big budget blockbuster during his career, and Batman Begins is one of his career highlights.

Batman Begins rebooted the Batman franchise back in 2005, as Christopher Nolan took over the director's chair.

Neeson took on the role of villain Ra's al Ghul, alongside Christian Bale in the title role.

Neeson really does make a terrific villain - he has not played many baddie roles during his career - and he brings a real gravitas to this role.

From the beginning, there has been a darkness to this Batman franchise, and Neeson really does help ram that home.

The character of Ra's al Ghul is dangerous and powerful without ever having to display craziness and an unpredictability that we have seen from other Batman villains.

Batman Begins was a critical and box office hit, and kicked off a stunning trilogy of movies.

- Kinsey (2005)

It wasn't all about the blockbuster for Neeson in 2005, as he took on another biopic film, Kinsey.

Neeson took on the role of Alfred Kinsey, a man who was a pioneer in the area of sexology.

The movie looked at his life and the publication of the first of the Kinsey reports, Sexual Behaviour in the Human Male.

Neeson is hugely appealing in this role, and he and Laura Linney really make a captivating pair.

Directed and written by Bill Condon, Kinsey is as funny as it is intriguing, and really is a great watch.

Neeson picked up Best Actor nominations at the likes of the Golden Globes, Independent Spirit Awards, and the London Film Critics Circle Awards.

- Taken (2008)

In recent years, Neeson really has taken his career in a different direction by becoming an action hero... and it really all kicked off with Taken.

Taken saw Neeson team up with Pierre Morel, as he took on the role of retired CIA agent Bryan Mills. All his skills are needed when he got after those who have kidnapped his daughter.

Taken really is a slick and action packed movie, that shows Neeson off in a very different light.

Neeson really does throw himself into the action moments, and gives a terrific performance as the reluctant hero who will do anything to protect his child.

Taken really is a lot of fun, and went on to be an unexpected box office hits. Sadly, the second movie was not as good.

Other great Neeson performances include Rob Roy, The Grey, and K-19: The Widowmaker.

Non-Stop is released 28th February.


by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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