Yet another AFI film list – this one the 50 top screen heroes and villains:
- ATTICUS FINCH OF “TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD” PROCLAIMED #1 HERO AND DR. HANNIBAL LECTER OF “THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS” DECLARED #1 VILLAIN
Indiana Jones, Norman Bates, James Bond, Darth Vader, Rick Blaine, The Wicked Witch of the West, Will Kane and Nurse Ratched Top the Much-Anticipated List Revealed by AFI
The American Film Institute (AFI) revealed the top 50 heroes and top 50 villains of all time in AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Heroes & Villains three-hour television event hosted by Arnold Schwarzenegger, who earned both a hero and villain honor for his portrayal of the “Terminator.” Deeply principled and idealistic attorney Atticus Finch (portrayed by Gregory Peck), from TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, was chosen as the greatest hero in 100 years of film history, while the greatest villain was revealed as the brilliant, cunning and psychotic Dr. Hannibal Lecter (portrayed by Anthony Hopkins) from THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and HANNIBAL.
Rounding out the top 10 heroes in ranking order were Indiana Jones, James Bond, Rick Blaine, Will Kane, Clarice Starling, Rocky Balboa, Ellen Ripley and
T.E. Lawrence. Joining Dr. Lecter’s circle of top 10 villains, also in ranking order, were Norman Bates, Darth Vader, The Wicked Witch of the West, Nurse Ratched, Mr. Potter, Alex Forrest, Phyllis Dietrichson, Regan MacNeil and The Queen (in SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS).
Yep, that’s a list.