Audie Murphy : How good an actor was he?

How good an actor was he?

I haven't seen very many of his films. I couldn't say.

Any opinions?


Re: How good an actor was he?

He was a much better actor than he was given credit for during his lifetime.

Re: How good an actor was he?

He was a very good actor in my opinion and always did a good job in the movies he made.
One way of checking though would be how he did when starring with former and future oscar winners in his movies. Below are some of them and he held his own with them.

Destry made in 1955 in which he played Destry and former oscar winner Thomas Michell his deputy.

Night Passage made in 1957 with James Stewart. Audie held his own with this great actor.

Ride a Crooked Trial made in 1958 which also starred future oscar winner Walter Matthau.

The Unforgiven made in 1960 with Burt Lancaster, Audry Hepburn, and Lillian Gish. Audie 238 was third billed but he was terrific in this movie that included several oscar winners. Mr. Lancaster was to win the oscar for Elmer Gantry which was made that same year.

Trunk in Cairo made in 1966 which also starred former oscar winner George Sanders.

The Texican made in 1966 which also starred former oscar winner Broderick Crawford.

Re: How good an actor was he?

Another I overlooked was Burl Ives in Sierra. Also Dean Jagger in Sierra. Also in 1952 he was in The Duel at Silver Creek that had Lee Marvin in it.

Re: How good an actor was he?

He was good but limited in range. Yet he had a quality/gift that made him very watchable: he was persuasive in his words and actions.
Perhaps that doesn't make sense, but it's a talent I see, nonetheless.


"Did you make coffee...? Make it!"--Cheyenne.

Re: How good an actor was he?

Audie was OK in most of his films but excellent in a handfull. He seems uncomfortable in THE QUIET AMERICAN but he is excellent under director John Huston in RED BADGE OF COURAGE and THE UNFORGIVEN. Also his finest performance in his U-I westerns is NO NAME ON THE BULLET where he beautifully plays against type. He pulls off playing himself in TO HELL AND BACK which wasn't easy for him or anybody. And I love how he interacted with Dan Duryea in their three movies together...RIDE CLEAR OF DIABLO, NIGHT PASSAGE and SIX BLACK HORSES.

Re: How good an actor was he?

I love Audie Murphy. His range was limited and he seemed most at ease in Westerns. Within his comfort zone he was effective and very entertaining. Given his real life credentials, he brings a reality to his roles where he fights evil often single handedly. Few actors can bring that to a role.

Re: How good an actor was he?


I was the biggest fan of Audie Murphy when I was twelve. I saw all his films. I always loved him as an actor. That quality of stillness he had, it just fascinated me.
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I am the Queen of Snark, TSopped said so.

Re: How good an actor was he?

He was largely restricted to medium and low budget westerns, but did his best with what he was given to do. If he had been able to meet someone like John Ford, there's no telling how far he could have gone.

Re: How good an actor was he?

He made 'The Unforgiven' with John Huston. I always thought it was a pretty good film.

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I am the Queen of Snark, TStopped said so.

Re: How good an actor was he?

Yes, and THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE, as well, but Ford did numerous films with Wayne.

Re: How good an actor was he?

Wayne was a better actor than Audie Murphie.

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I am the Queen of Snark, TStopped said so.

Re: How good an actor was he?

No denying that.

Re: How good an actor was he?

From a former film Critic (Australia). He was indeed a much better actor than he was given credit for. He was understated when the acting style of the day was quite the opposite. He was equally effective as a hero and during his rare forays into villainy. These days, understated is fashionable. Audie was actually ahead of his time. Whether his style was deliberate or came from natural diffidence is hard to say. In terms of acting he reminds me of Gary Cooper - b68 not physically of course - but his delivery was much the same - reticent, as if something is going on in his head that the audience can only speculate on. No one ever mentions Gary Cooper and Audie Murphy in the same sentence because only one got of them ever got any credit for their work.

Re: How good an actor was he?

I'm watching Duel at Silver Creek, and while it isn't a very good movie, I do think that he stands out in it. He's not traditional movie star good looking, but there is something about him to where you can't take your eyes off of him. His costumes and the shadowing in the photography around him makes him seem to have a glow. Certain movie villains had it in their early years, but he's the only actor playing heroes (or anti-heroes) who shows that quality. Sort of a western John Garfield.

"Great theater makes you smile. Outstanding theater may make you weep."

Re: How good an actor was he?

"Sort of a western John Garfield."

That's it!
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