We’ve decided that we want to make these Top 5 Movies lists a bit more relevant. So, with Cowboys & Aliens hitting theaters today, I thought why not take a look at one of my favorite all time actors… Harrison Ford. It’s kind of crazy to think that this is only the second western Harrison Ford has done in his long and illustrious career. If you can name the other one (without using IMDB) I’ll put a gold star on the refrigerator next to your name.
My only problem with doing this list is I feel like Ford deserves the Top 10 treatment. Because of that, I’ve decided to give this list a bit of a bonus treatment. Hence the “sort of” in the title of the post. Since the top 2 films on this list are going to be so blatantly obvious, I’m going to do a Top 7. That way we can focus on the five best movies Ford has done outside the two most popular franchises in film history (according to me). If you can guess what those are without scrolling down, I will give you nothing. You should just already know. Anyway, that being said, let’s dive in. Here are Harrison Ford’s Top 5 Movies (sort of):
EXCLUSIONS: ApparentlyFord was in Apocalypse Now.
I’m embarrassed to say I have never seen it. Therefore, it is out of contention. There’s a few more I’ve missed but that one is the only one I could see people arguing over so I thought I’d mention it… unless you loved Extraordinary Measures. I didn’t see that either but I feel pretty safe saying that you’re alone and it doesn’t deserve a spot. Moving right along…
7. THE MOSQUITO COAST.
This is admittedly a personal choice. I could see other people putting Frantic, Witness or even Patriot Games in this slot. However, I’m a big fan of this film by Peter Weir which pits Ford as an eccentric and obsessed inventor who uproots his family and takes them on a journey deep into the jungle. I like it because Ford’s character is so different than anything he usually plays and it also features a great performance from River Phoenix. If you haven’t seen it, do yourself a favor.
6. AMERICAN GRAFFITI.
AKA: George Lucas’ normal movie. Graffiti is a coming of age movie set in the early 1960′s. It reminds me a lot of a 70′s Dazed & Confused. Both focus on the generation before the one they came out in and both feature a bunch of actors who went on to be well known. In this case, Harrison Ford, Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, Suzanne Sommers, etc.
FUN FACT: This film was made as a result of a challenge issued by Lucas’ friend Francis Ford Coppola who dared him to make a film that would appeal to mainstream audiences. If only they knew about Star Wars then!
5. REGARDING HENRY.
This film is really sweet actually. Ford plays Henry Turner, a successful but extremely douchey guy, who is shot in the face during a liquor store hold up. As a result, he loses much of his memory and, in many ways, returns to a very childlike state. In this state, he rediscovers a love for his family and reestablishes his family unit. The great thing about it is Ford, who is kind of great at playing both kinds of roles. Mike Nichols also directs… and he’s really good at that!
4. BLADERUNNER.
People looooooove Bladerunner! As a Sci-Fi fan, I hate to admit, that I don’t put it in the same pantheon as many other Sci-Fi fans. However, the film is pretty darn good. It’s also based on a novel with one of the coolest names ever: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? A novel that was written by Phillip K. Dick. So, technically, it can’t be anything but awesome.
3. THE FUGITIVE.
The Fugitive is an insanely good and entertaining film. I can’t give all the credit to Ford in this case though. Tommy Lee Jones is half to blame for this film’s success. However, Ford is great as Dr. Richard Kimble… a man who is falsely accused and convicted of murdering his wife and sets out to prove his innocence. The great thing about this particular flick is you never have to buy the DVD because it’s on cable like every other week!
2. STAR WARS TRILOGY.
Duh!
1. INDIANA JONES TRILOGY.
Double duh! 
Andrew (8)
Wayne (8)
John (6)
Josh (6)
Lauren (5)
Steve (5)
Dave Enkosky (4)
Jessica (4)
Justin (4)
Dan Heaton (3)
Yeah, the top two are sort of “I’ll punch you in the face if these aren’t the top two” territory.
Not surprisingly, it’s your #7 that I’d give the heave-ho to, but in this case, only because I haven’t seen it. I’d replace it with Coppola’s The Conversation.
Yaay Indiana is the boss! I think the only reason I will ever (eventually) watch Star Wars is for Harrison Ford.
I loved Air Force One. He is still my favourite American President.
Twitter: kaiderman
July 29, 2011 5:34 pm
DUDE! You need to stop what you’re doing and see Star Wars yesterday!
…there are people who haven’t seen Star Wars?
Yes there are. I’ve seen parts of the newer films, and that sort of put me off.
I will see the original, but it feels like too much of a commitment.
I feel sorry for you having seen the newer ones before the originals.
I’d put witness on for sure. Frisco kid is the other western. Ford’s character in apocalypse now is named Lucas!
Twitter: kaiderman
July 29, 2011 5:33 pm
Nice pull on Frisco Kid. You win a spot in my fantasy football league… Congratulations!
Twitter: JonSullivan_
July 29, 2011 10:06 am
Blade Runner is my favorite movie of all-time, so obviously I’d throw that at number one. Also I’d like to wager that it’s two words, not one!
As for the top two, you summed it up nicely haha.
Twitter: kaiderman
July 29, 2011 5:33 pm
Dude, I actually researched whether it was one word or two… I shoulda just looked at the DVD! haha
Twitter: fandangogroover
July 29, 2011 11:20 am
No arguments on the top two. I would put Bladerunner at number three and Frantic at four. Witness would make a top ten.
Twitter: kaiderman
July 29, 2011 5:32 pm
I remember liking Witness alot but not that much. It’s been years. Frantic was certainly in contention!
I just got back from seeing Cowboys & Aliens this morning, and the good news is you don’t have to fear over revising your list over it.
He represented well, though. Actually probably his best role in a few years at least.
Apocalypse Now is an all time classic that you should certainly see post haste. But it’s completely forgiveable to leave it off of this list, as he had a bit part at best.
Twitter: kaiderman
July 29, 2011 5:31 pm
I keep hearing mixed reviews for Cowboys and Aliens… what a bummer… it had a ton of promise and great people attached!
kai, you co-host a movie blog site AND being a harrison ford fan with never seeing apocalyspe now? even i’ve seen it. i will say that i forgot ford was in the movie, but that movie is a classic. martin sheen. robert duvall. laurence fishburn. gotta love the smell of napalm in the morning.
do love the list. as others, i would have added witness in there somewhere. other than that….great list.
you know what you need?…a post excluding indy and star wars…now that would be a challenge!:)
I don’t see Extraordinary Measures. I take it you would have ranked it #6?
Not seen Apocalypse Now? Madness! Harrison Ford is in the film for like 5 minutes, so I wouldn’t count it as a Harrison Ford film.
Blade Runner would be my top pick. Star Wars and Indy are obvious picks as well.
I haven’t seen it, but I’ve heard a lot of good things about Witness.