Alternate Best Actor 1979: Results

5. Graham Chapman in Life of Brian - Chapman gives enjoyable enough performances as both a straight man and a very silly one, but is never that hilarious.

Best Scene: Brian on the cross.

4. Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now - Sheen gives a solid mostly reactionary performance although I do feel he is a bit overshadowed by the film's direction and its other performances.

Best Scene: Willard is told about his previous missions.

3. James Woods in The Onion Field - Woods gives a compelling portrayal that brings depth to a character who could have been just a simple psycho killer.

Best Scene: Lead up to the murder.

2. Klaus Kinski in Nosferatu the Vampyre -Kinksi effectively replicates aspects of Max Schreck's performances, but also offers his own interpretation by strangely yet poignantly bringing some honest humanity to the creature.

Best Scene: Dracula speaks of his desire for love.

1. Brad Dourif in Wise Blood - This was an easier choice than I expected to be as I found Dourif easily gave the best leading performance from 1979. Dourif might not give the most accessible turn, but is consistently fascinating portrait of a truly unique character.

Best Scene: Motes confronts his imposter.

Overall Ranking:

1. Brad Dourif in Wise Blood
2. Peter Sellers in Being There
3. Klaus Kinski in Nosferatu the Vampyre
4. James Woods in The Onion Field
5. Robert Duvall in The Great Santini
6. Roy Scheider in All That Jazz
7. Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now
8. Jack Lemmon in The China Syndrome
9. Dustin Hoffman in Kramer vs Kramer
10. Mel Gibson in Mad Max
11. Alan Arkin in The In-Laws
12. Peter Falk in The In-Laws
13. Bruno Ganz in Nosferatu the Vampyre
14. Al Pacino in ...And Justice For All
15. Clint Eastwood in Escape From Alcatraz
16. Frank Langella in Dracula
17. Graham Chapman in Life of Brian
18. Dennis Christopher in Breaking Away
19. Woody Allen in Manhattan  
20. John Savage in The Onion Field
21. Franklyn Seales in The Onion Field
22. William Shatner in Star Trek The Motion Picture
23. Sylvester Stallone in Rocky II
24. Kelly Reno in The Black Stallion
25. Michael Beck in The Warriors

Next Year: 1979 Supporting