The cinema world suffered a significant loss this week with the passing of Richard Donner at the age of 91. Over the course of 52 years he acted as a director, writer, and producer of film and television and also dabbled in comic book writing. A look back on his life and career reveals many films that have withstood the test of time, which brings us to Reel Speak’s Top 10 Best Richard Donner Films.
Blessed with a talent for creating endearing characters, Richard Donner was born in New York City in 1930. He got his start in television, directing episodes of THE RIFLEMAN, THE FUGITIVE, GILLIGANS ISLAND, and KOJACK…to name a few. He was also the helmer of the classic TWILIGHT ZONE episode; NIGHTMARE AT 20,000 FEET. His first feature film came in 1961 with the aviation drama X-15 with Charles Bronson. His later years saw him act as an executive producer for popular films such as THE LOST BOYS (1987), FREE WILLY (1993), and X-MEN (2000). This list will rank the films that were all his; the ones that he directed and put his unique touch on.
So let’s remember….
10. THE TOY (1982)
This film does not look good when looked at through today’s optics; a black man (Richard Pryor), is purchased by a rich white man (Jackie Gleason), to appease his young son (Scott Schwartz). But there is still a good film to be had here. Donner capitalizes on the comic genius that was Pryor and Gleason, and the chemistry that he found between Pryor and a young Schwartz moves the film in surprising ways. The cast is rounded out nicely with Wilfrid Hyde-White and the recently departed Ned Beatty.
9. MAVERICK (1994)
Mel Gibson plays a high-stakes card player galloping across the Old West, joined by con-artist Jodie Foster and chased down by lawman James Garner in this adaptation of the TV series of the same name. Packed with twists and turns and endless changing allegiances, MAVERICK is a blast from sunrise to sunset.
8. 16 BLOCKS (2006)
In what would be Donner’s last film as a director, Bruce Willis plays a burned-out NYPD detective tasked with escorting a witness across town to court, only to find himself mixed up in a web of police corruption in a thriller that unfolds in real-time narration. 16 BLOCKS hangs its hat on many familiar police cliches, but it feels fresh and the energy Donner infuses into the film keeps things moving. David Morse and a surprisingly good Mos Def tops off the cast.
7. RADIO FLYER (1992)
This fantasy/drama was a flop, and the ending is questionable, but there is still magic to be found in this one. Elijah Wood and Joseph Mazzello play young brothers trying to survive an abusive stepfather, with their final solution leading to an ending that still sparks debate to this day. Filmed in a way where the entire film is shown from a child’s perspective, RADIO FLYER has a uniqueness to it and simply does not look like any other film. The strong cast is rounded out by Lorraine Bracco, Adam Baldwin, John Heard, and Tom Hanks.
6. LETHAL WEAPON 2 (1989)
Donner had his work cut for him in following up his own LEATHAL WEAPON from 1987, but the addition of Joe Pesci into the already strong mix of Mel Gibson and Danny Glover provided a thousand laughs and more than one entry into pop culture. The film also dove into the backstory of the troubled cop played by Mel Gibson, along with one or two shocking moments.
5. THE OMEN (1976)
Donner’s first commercial hit and eventual horror classic. Gregory Peck and Lee Remick play the parents of a child who seems to be the prophesied Antichrist. Loaded with atmosphere that chills to the bone, THE OMEN was one of the highest grossing films of 1976 while earning two Oscar nominations, including the one and only win for composer Jerry Goldsmith.
4. SCROOGED (1988)
Bill Murray plays a beleaguered TV executive visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve, in this comedic take on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. This story has been done over and over in animation, live-action, and muppets over the years, but thanks to Donner’s touch and Murray’s off-the-chain acting, SCROOGED brought a freshness to the old story and has become a mainstay on everyone’s holiday watch-list every December.
3. LETHAL WEAPON (1987)
Mel Gibson plays a rogue cop who is only good at killing, and Danny Glover plays a nearly retired cop who finds out that he is not too old for his shit in this action/whodunit. The chemistry between Gibson and Glover leapt off the screen, the action was full of drama and tension, and it would redefine action films for the 1990’s while re-igniting the buddy-cop genre.
2. THE GOONIES (1985)
Five kids (Sean Astin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman, Jonathan Ke Huy Quan), set out to find lost pirate rich-stuff to save their hometown. Steven Spielberg produced and Donner directed this adventure which has become a staple in pop-culture for the last 35 years. Spielberg’s influence hangs heavy on the film, but Donner makes it work his way; creating a cast of characters that are likeable despite any of their flaws. The film captures that spirit of adventure that we as kids once had; venturing through the woods seeking treasure…but THE GOONIES makes those fantasies come true.
1. SUPERMAN (1978)
Every great director has at least one film in his filmography where all the planets align just right, and for Richard Donner it was SUPERMAN (THE MOVIE), from 1978. Everything went right for Donner here; from the perfect casting of Christopher Reeve as Superman, to John Williams’ magnificent score, to the embracing of heroic ideals, to the wonderful supporting cast of Margo Kidder, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, Ned Beatty, Valerie Perrine, Glenn Ford, Jackie Cooper, and Terence Stamp. SUPERMAN was the first superhero film to be taken seriously; a commitment that can be seen to this day. Since its release, nearly 100 superhero films have been released by major studios, and SUPERMAN set the gold standard not only for the Man of Steel, but for all the caped and armored heroes that have come to the big screen after. Donner has always displayed a talent for creating characters that stand the test of time, and this is the one that the world is still chasing.
REEL SPEAK'S TOP 10 RICHARD DONNER FILMS
- SUPERMAN
- THE GOONIES
- LETHAL WEAPON
- SCROOGED
- THE OMEN
- LETHAL WEAPON 2
- RADIO FLYER
- 16 BLOCKS
- MAVERICK
- THE TOY
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