24 Movies Starring Peter O'Toole

The Savage Innocents

The Savage Innocents

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1961-02-15

Languages:

English

Countries:

France, Italy, UK

Runtime:

110 min

IMDB Ratings:

7.2 (1092 Reviews)

Director:

Nicholas Ray

Cast:

Writer:

Hans Ruesch (adaptation)

Franco Solinas (adaptation)

Baccio Bandini (adaptation)

Hans Ruesch (novel)

Nicholas Ray (screenplay)

Fullplot:

An Eskimo who has had little contact with white men goes to a trading post where he accidentally kills a missionary and finds himself being pursued by the police.

Lawrence of Arabia

Lawrence of Arabia

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1962-12-10

Languages:

English, Arabic, Turkish

Countries:

UK

Runtime:

216 min

Rated:

PG

IMDB Ratings:

8.4 (172014 Reviews)

Director:

David Lean

Cast:

Writer:

T.E. Lawrence (writings)

Robert Bolt (screenplay)

Michael Wilson (screenplay)

Fullplot:

An inordinately complex man who has been labeled everything from hero, to charlatan, to sadist, Thomas Edward Lawrence blazed his way to glory in the Arabian desert, then sought anonymity as a common soldier under an assumed name. The story opens with the death of Lawrence in a motorcycle accident in Dorset at the age of 46, then flashbacks to recount his adventures: as a young intelligence officer in Cairo in 1916, he is given leave to investigate the progress of the Arab revolt against the Turks in World War I. In the desert, he organizes a guerrilla army and--for two years--leads the Arabs in harassing the Turks with desert raids, train-wrecking and camel attacks. Eventually, he leads his army northward and helps a British General destroy the power of the Ottoman Empire.

Becket

Becket

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1964-03-11

Languages:

English, Latin, Welsh

Countries:

UK, USA

Runtime:

148 min

Rated:

PG-13

IMDB Ratings:

(10492 Reviews)

Director:

Peter Glenville

Cast:

Writer:

Jean Anouilh (play)

Lucienne Hill (play)

Edward Anhalt (screenplay)

Fullplot:

As the story opens, King Henry II, who ruled England from 1154 to 1189 has entered Canterbury Cathedral to do penance at the tomb of his former friend, Thomas Becket. Bare to the waist, the king kneels to receive a flogging from Saxon monks. He begins to reminisce, recalling at first the carefree, promiscuous adventures with Becket, then his favorite drinking and wenching companion. A violently emotional drama that probes the changing relationship between two young men - between two close friends bound together by similar pride of flesh and spirit who become deadly enemies as they pursue their separate destinies . . . that of king . . . and saint.

What's New Pussycat

What's New Pussycat

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1965-06-22

Languages:

English, French

Countries:

France, USA

Runtime:

108 min

Rated:

APPROVED

IMDB Ratings:

6.2 (7412 Reviews)

Genres:

Comedy

Cast:

Writer:

Woody Allen (original screenplay)

Fullplot:

Michael James, a notorious womanizer, desperately wants to be faithful to his fiancèe Carole, but runs into serious problems since every woman he meets seems to fall in love with him. His psychoanalyst Dr. Fassbender can't help him either since he's busy courting one of his patients who in turn longs for Michael. A catastrophe appears on the horizon as all the characters check into the Chateau Chantelle hotel for the weekend not knowing of each other's presence.

How to Steal a Million

How to Steal a Million

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1966-08-19

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

123 min

Rated:

APPROVED

IMDB Ratings:

7.6 (14966 Reviews)

Director:

William Wyler

Cast:

Writer:

George Bradshaw (based on a story by)

Harry Kurnitz (screenplay)

Fullplot:

Nicole's father, a legendary art collector, lends his prized Cellini Venus to a prestigious Paris museum. Unfortunately, the Venus was *not* sculpted by Cellini but by Nicole's grandfather. (Her father is a forger as well, but his specialty is paintings.) Before tests can be done which would prove the Venus a fake, Nicole enlists the services of "society burglar" Simon Demott to steal the million dollar statue.

The Night of the Generals

The Night of the Generals

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1967-02-24

Languages:

English, Italian, Spanish, French

Countries:

UK, France

Runtime:

148 min

Rated:

PG

IMDB Ratings:

7.4 (4350 Reviews)

Director:

Anatole Litvak

Cast:

Writer:

Joseph Kessel (adapted for the screen by)

Paul Dehn (adapted for the screen by)

Paul Dehn (additional dialogue)

Hans Hellmut Kirst (novel)

James Hadley Chase (based on an incident written by)

Fullplot:

In 1942, in Warsaw, a Polish prostitute is murdered in a sadistic way. Major Grau, a man from German Intelligence who believes in justice, is in charge of the investigation. An eyewitness saw a German general leaving the building after a scream of the victim. A further investigation shows that three generals do not have any alibi for that night: General Tanz, Maj. Gen. Klus Kahlenberge and General von Seidlitz-Gabler. They three avoid a direct contact with Major Grau and become potential suspects. As far as Major Grau gets close to them, he is promoted and sent to Paris. In 1944, in Paris, this quartet is reunited and Major Grau continues his investigation. Meanwhile, a plan for killing Hitler is plotted by his high command; a romance between Ulrike von Seydlitz-Gabler and Lance Cpl. Kurt Hartmann is happening and Insp. Morand is helping Major Grau in his investigation. The story ends in 1965, in Hamburg, with another similar crime.

The Lion in Winter

The Lion in Winter

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1968-10-30

Languages:

English

Countries:

UK, USA

Runtime:

134 min

Rated:

PG

IMDB Ratings:

8.2 (21996 Reviews)

Director:

Anthony Harvey

Genres:

DramaHistory

Cast:

Writer:

James Goldman (screenplay)

James Goldman (play)

Fullplot:

Christmas 1183--an aging and conniving King Henry II plans a reunion where he hopes to name his successor. He summons the following people for the holiday: his scheming but imprisoned wife, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine; his mistress, Princess Alais, whom he wishes to marry; his three sons (Richard, Geoffrey, and John), all of whom desire the throne; and the young but crafty King Philip of France (who is also Alais' brother). With the fate of Henry's empire at stake, everybody engages in their own brand of deception and treachery to stake their claim.

Goodbye, Mr. Chips

Goodbye, Mr. Chips

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1969-12-09

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

155 min

Rated:

G

IMDB Ratings:

(2234 Reviews)

Director:

Herbert Ross

Cast:

Writer:

James Hilton (novel)

Terence Rattigan (screenplay)

Fullplot:

Arthur Chipping is an academic teaching at Brookfield Boys School outside of London in the 1920's. Although he does what he considers best for his students, they don't much like him, nicknaming him "Ditchy", short for "dull as ditch water". His life changes when he meets Katherine Bridges, a music hall actress and a woman with a questionable past. She affectionately calls him Mr. Chips. Despite their differences, they fall in love. He in particular realizes that in striking a relationship, they will have many obstacles to overcome. He doesn't particularly like the world in which she is involved, including her friends and her profession, and she doesn't exactly fit the mold of a teacher's wife. Still, they decide to get married. She forgoes her career to be Mrs. Chips, living on campus as the housewife of a teacher at a proper boy's school. It is a world in which she will have to learn the rules, or at least bend them to her sensibilities, although she vows never to embarrass him. Katherine's arrival at Brookfield may change Chips' standing at the school. Further changes ensue for the Chips' and Brookfield with the onset of World War II.

Man of La Mancha

Man of La Mancha

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1973-09-08

Languages:

English

Countries:

Italy, USA

Runtime:

132 min

Rated:

PG

IMDB Ratings:

6.6 (2810 Reviews)

Director:

Arthur Hiller

Cast:

Writer:

Dale Wasserman (musical play)

Dale Wasserman (screenplay)

Fullplot:

This musical version of Don Quixote is framed by an incident allegedly from the life of its author, Miguel de Cervantes. Don Quixote is the mad, aging nobleman who embarrasses his respectable family by his adventures. Backed by his faithful sidekick Sancho Panza, he duels windmills and defends his perfect lady Dulcinea (who is actually a downtrodden whore named Aldonza).

Man Friday

Man Friday

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1976-06-18

Languages:

English

Countries:

UK, USA

Runtime:

115 min

Rated:

PG

IMDB Ratings:

6.5 (574 Reviews)

Director:

Jack Gold

Cast:

Writer:

Daniel Defoe (novel)

Adrian Mitchell (play)

Adrian Mitchell (screenplay)

Fullplot:

Englishman Robinson Crusoe, stranded alone on an island for years, is overjoyed to find a fellow man, a black islander whom he names Friday. But Crusoe cannot overcome the shackles of his own heritage and upbringing and is incapable of seeing Friday as anything other than a savage who needs Crusoe's brand of cultural and religious enlightenment. Friday attempts to share his own more generous and unashamed culture, but ultimately realizes that Crusoe can never see him as anything but an inferior being. With that awareness, Friday sets out to turn the tables on Crusoe.

The Stunt Man

The Stunt Man

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1981-02-25

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

131 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

7.3 (6566 Reviews)

Director:

Richard Rush

Cast:

Writer:

Lawrence B. Marcus (screenplay)

Richard Rush (adaptation)

Paul Brodeur (novel)

Fullplot:

While on the run from the police, Steve Railsback hides in a group of moviemakers where he pretends to be a stunt man. Both aided and endangered by the director (Peter O'Toole) he avoids both the police and sudden death as a stuntman. The mixture of real danger and fantasy of the movie is an interesting twist for the viewer as the two blend in individual scenes.

My Favorite Year

My Favorite Year

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1982-10-01

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

92 min

Rated:

PG

IMDB Ratings:

7.4 (6693 Reviews)

Genres:

Comedy

Cast:

Writer:

Norman Steinberg (screenplay)

Dennis Palumbo (screenplay)

Dennis Palumbo (story)

Fullplot:

Benjy Stone is the junior writer on the top rated variety/comedy show, in the mid 50s (the early years). Its a new medium and the rules were not fully established. Alan Swann, an Erol Flynn type actor with a drinking problem is to be that weeks guest star. When King Kaiser, the headliner wants to throw Swann off the show, Benjy makes a pitch to save his childhood hero, and is made Swann's babysitter. On top of this, a union boss doesn't care for Kaiser's parody of him and has plans to stop the show.

Supergirl

Supergirl

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1984-11-21

Languages:

English

Countries:

UK, USA

Runtime:

105 min

Rated:

PG

IMDB Ratings:

4.3 (13134 Reviews)

Director:

Jeannot Szwarc

Cast:

Writer:

David Odell (screenplay)

Fullplot:

After a power source for the community of Krypton survivors is accidentally whisked to earth, Kara-El, cousin to Superman and niece to Jor-El, chooses to go to earth to find it, and bring it back. Upon her arrival, she becomes just a powerful and Super as her cousin, but encounters dangerous battles and unexpected obstacles when a mean spirited woman who practices rituals of the occult takes the power source for herself, and uses it to cause destruction and attempt zenith human status.

Club Paradise

Club Paradise

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1986-07-11

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

96 min

Rated:

PG-13

IMDB Ratings:

4.8 (4490 Reviews)

Director:

Harold Ramis

Genres:

Comedy

Cast:

Writer:

Harry Shearer (story)

Tom Leopold (story)

Chris Miller (story)

David Standish (story)

Harold Ramis (screenplay)

Brian Doyle-Murray (screenplay)

Fullplot:

Injured while risking his life to save an angry German shepard, Chicago Firefighter Jack Moniker retires and moves to a small carribean island named St. Nicholas. There, he is befriended by the owner of a run-down resort, Ernest Reed. Greedy developers are schemeing to wrest Reed's coveted beach front property from him for non-payment of taxes. Jack comes to Ernest's rescue, and together they renovate and reopen the resort catering to affluent Americans. The film follows the zany exploits of the proprietors, guests and various colorful island denizans, as they break in the new "Club Paradise".

The Last Emperor

The Last Emperor

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1988-04-15

Languages:

English, Mandarin, Japanese, Russian

Countries:

China, Italy, UK, France

Runtime:

163 min

Rated:

PG-13

IMDB Ratings:

7.8 (64788 Reviews)

Cast:

Writer:

Mark Peploe (screenplay)

Bernardo Bertolucci (screenplay)

Enzo Ungari (initial screenplay collaboration)

Fullplot:

A dramatic history of Pu Yi, the last of the Emperors of China, from his lofty birth and brief reign in the Forbidden City, the object of worship by half a billion people; through his abdication, his decline and dissolute lifestyle; his exploitation by the invading Japanese, and finally to his obscure existence as just another peasant worker in the People's Republic.

High Spirits

High Spirits

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1988-11-18

Languages:

English

Countries:

Ireland, UK, USA

Runtime:

99 min

Rated:

PG-13

IMDB Ratings:

5.6 (5978 Reviews)

Director:

Neil Jordan

Fullplot:

When Peter Plunkett's Irish castle turned hotel is about to be repossesed, he decides to spice up the attraction a bit for the 'Yanks' by having his staff pretend to haunt the castle. The trouble begins when a busload of American tourists arrive - along with some real ghosts. Among the tourists are married couple Jack and Sharon. Sharon's father holds the mortgage on Castle Plunkett, so she's hoping to debunk the ghosts. Jack, on the other hand, after meeting pretty ghost Mary, is very eager to believe. Can there be love between a human and ghost? Jack and Mary are going to try and find out.

The Nutcracker Prince

The Nutcracker Prince

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1990-11-21

Languages:

English

Countries:

Canada

Runtime:

75 min

Rated:

G

IMDB Ratings:

6.8 (1362 Reviews)

Director:

Paul Schibli

Cast:

Writer:

E.T.A. Hoffmann (story)

Patricia Watson

Fullplot:

Clara is on the verge of gowing up with dreams of traveling the world in the grand ballet. Then, during the anual Christmas party, the mysterious family friend, Drosselmeier, tells her a story about a young man named Hans who rescued a princess under a spell by the Mouse Queen and her whining son. As punishment for his good deed, the Mouse Queen managed to transform Hans into a nutcracker (prince of the dolls) before her death; the same nutcracker Drosselmeier gives to Clara that day. When midnight comes, Clara finds herself trapped in the middle of a battle between the mice and her toys being lead by the confused nutcracker. If the prince of the dolls can defeat the Mouse King and win the hand of a fair maiden, it can break the curse upon him. However, Clara must chose between the dreamworld of her new companion and his adventures or her real world where the dreams and adventures of growing up still await her.

Heavy Weather

Heavy Weather

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1996-02-18

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA, UK

Runtime:

95 min

IMDB Ratings:

7.2 (120 Reviews)

Director:

Jack Gold

Genres:

Comedy

Cast:

Writer:

Douglas Livingstone (screenplay)

P.G. Wodehouse (novel)

Fullplot:

At Blandings Castle, the Earl of Emsworth only cares about his prize pig 'The Empress' and is wilfully ignorant of the fact that his brother is planning to publish a book which might ruin the family name forever. Moreover, the Earl's nephew might cause the family some major damage by getting married to a terribly unsuitable chorus girl.

FairyTale: A True Story

FairyTale: A True Story

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1997-10-24

Languages:

English

Countries:

UK, USA

Runtime:

99 min

Rated:

PG

IMDB Ratings:

6.5 (4398 Reviews)

Cast:

Writer:

Albert Ash (story)

Tom McLoughlin (story)

Ernie Contreras (story)

Ernie Contreras (screenplay)

Fullplot:

Based on factual accounts, this is the story of two young girls that, somehow, have the ability to take pictures of winged beings... which certainly causes quite a stir throughout England during the time of the first World War. Everyone, except the girls who think it's quite normal, are excited about this "photographic proof" that fairies exist... even the great Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini pay the girls a visit.

Phantoms

Phantoms

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1998-01-23

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA, Japan

Runtime:

96 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

5.4 (15363 Reviews)

Director:

Joe Chappelle

Cast:

Writer:

Dean R. Koontz (novel)

Dean R. Koontz (screenplay)

Fullplot:

In the peaceful town of Snowfield, Colorado something evil has wiped out the community. And now, it's up to a group of people to stop it, or at least get out of Snowfield alive.

Casanova

Casanova

Basic Info:

Released Date:

2005-03-13

Languages:

English

Countries:

UK

Runtime:

174 min

Rated:

TV-MA

IMDB Ratings:

8.1 (3624 Reviews)

Fullplot:

After a life spent seeking pleasure and decadence, Casanova seeks his one true love, Henriette.

Lassie

Lassie

Basic Info:

Released Date:

2006-09-01

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA, France, Ireland, UK

Runtime:

100 min

Rated:

PG

IMDB Ratings:

6.7 (2984 Reviews)

Cast:

Writer:

Eric Knight (novel)

Charles Sturridge

Fullplot:

Life is hard for Yorkshire miner's son Joe Carraclough, who is beaten at school by a his teacher, his only consolation is his collie Lassie. It gets worse: when the mine is decommissioned, his father, Sam, is forced to sell the dog to the duke, who owns the local estate. The Duke's servant, Hynes, scares the dog, who keeps running back, so the Carracloughs have to keep returning her, until the Duke moves to the Scottish Highlands for the holiday season. Lassie escapes, embarking on a desperate journey home, with daunting Glasgow dogcatchers and taken in by a circus performer. It looks like a miracle is needed, by Christmas.

Venus

Venus

Basic Info:

Released Date:

2007-02-16

Languages:

English

Countries:

UK

Runtime:

95 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

7.1 (10813 Reviews)

Director:

Roger Michell

Fullplot:

Maurice Russell, once a great actor, is now living in London in the twilight of his life. Those of his generation remember him fondly, while those in the younger generations have no idea who he is. He spends most of his time hanging out with his friends Ian, also an actor, and Donald, or visiting with his wife Valerie for who he has great affection but with who he no longer lives. His acting career is virtually over, he only taking roles on the odd occasion when he needs the money. Ian has decided to invite his young great-niece Jessie from the provinces to come and stay with him, basically to act as his caregiver in case he falls ill, but also to be his companion. He envisions listening to Bach with her and her cooking him food to which he is accustomed. Jessie's stay is nothing as he envisions. She doesn't know how to cook, she drinks all his alcohol, and she has unrealistic visions of what she will accomplish in her life. Maurice, however, sees in Jessie, a person who can help him recapture part of his youth and vigor, including more fully realizing his thoughts of sex. Maurice calls her Venus, after one of his favorite paintings. As Maurice and Jessie spend more time together, they use each other to get what they want. But it isn't until Maurice approaches the end of his life will either understand if what they have is true friendship.

My Talks with Dean Spanley

My Talks with Dean Spanley

Basic Info:

Released Date:

2008-12-12

Languages:

English

Countries:

New Zealand, UK

Runtime:

100 min

Rated:

PG

IMDB Ratings:

7.3 (2672 Reviews)

Director:

Toa Fraser

Genres:

ComedyDrama

Cast:

Writer:

Lord Dunsany (book)

Alan Sharp

Fullplot:

Each Thursday, a man approaching middle age calls upon his father, aged, caustic, nihilistic, and emotionally distant, perhaps from the loss of a son in the Boer War and his wife soon after. On this day, the son suggests they attend a visiting guru's lecture on the transmigration of souls. There they chat with a vicar and a soldier of fortune; dinner follows. Over glasses of Hungarian Tokay, the vicar, Dean Spanley, tells a story of friendship, freedom, and reincarnation. In what earthly way could this tale connect father and son?

Become a Movie Insider

Join our mailing list and get access to expert analysis, trivia, and recommendations that will elevate your movie-watching experience.

View our privacy policy.